Pretreatment with an adenosine A1 receptor agonist and lidocaine: a possible alternative to myocardial ischemic preconditioning

Pharmacologic Inhibition of Pain Response to Incomplete Vascular Occlusion Blunts Cardiovascular Preconditioning Response

Complete vascular occlusion to distant tissue prior to an ischemic cardiac event can provide significant cardioprotection via remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC). Despite understanding its mechanistic basis, its translation to clinical practice has been unsuccessful, likely secondary to the inherent impossibility of predicting (and therefore preconditioning) an ischemic event, as well as the discomfort that is associated with traditional, fully occlusive RIPC stimuli. Our laboratory has previously shown that non-occlusive banding (NOB) via wrapping of a leather band (similar to a traditional Jewish ritual) can elicit an RIPC response in healthy human subjects. This study sought to further the pain-mediated aspect of this observation in a mouse model of NOB with healthy mice that were exposed to treatment with and without lidocaine to inhibit pain sensation prior to ischemia/reperfusion injury. We demonstrated that NOB downregulates key inflammatory markers resulting in a preconditioning response that is partially mediated via pain sensation.

Pharmacological Conditioning of the Heart: An Update on Experimental Developments and Clinical Implications

The aim of pharmacological conditioning is to protect the heart against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and its consequences. There is extensive literature that reports a multitude of different cardioprotective signaling molecules and mechanisms in diverse experimental protocols. Several pharmacological agents have been evaluated in terms of myocardial I/R injury. While results from experimental studies are immensely encouraging, translation into the clinical setting remains unsatisfactory. This narrative review wants to focus on two aspects: (1) give a comprehensive update on new developments of pharmacological conditioning in the experimental setting concentrating on recent literature of the last two years and (2) briefly summarize clinical evidence of these cardioprotective substances in the perioperative setting highlighting their clinical implications. By directly opposing each pharmacological agent regarding its recent experimental knowledge and most important available clinical data, a clear overview is given demonstrating the remaining gap between basic research and clinical practice. Finally, future perspectives are given on how we might overcome the limited translatability in the field of pharmacological conditioning.

Effect of intravenous lidocaine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in DIEP microsurgical breast reconstruction. A prospective double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-reperfusion injury in free flaps is associated with tissue damage and is one of the main factors causing flap failure in reconstructive microsurgery. The aim of this study is to assess whether any ischemia-reperfusion injury takes place during a microsurgical flap reconstruction as seen through the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and to analyze the effect of lidocaine in this process.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients operated for immediate breast reconstruction using the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator free flap technique were divided into two groups: one group was treated with a lidocaine intravenous perfusion and the other group with a saline perfusion. MDA and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured at several points before, during, and after surgery.

RESULTS

There was an increase in MDA levels in both groups, but the lidocaine group experienced a decrease during reperfusion. On the other hand, we observed a rise in SOD levels in both groups, but a decrease during reperfusion in the placebo group. However, these differences between groups were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The decreased SOD activity and increased MDA content in our research prove a redox imbalance and high reactive oxygen species levels in flaps, indicating that tissues experience ischemia-reperfusion injury during microsurgical reconstruction. Lidocaine may have a protective effect in free flap surgery, but our results were not statistically significant, so further studies will be required.

The effect of cannabidiol on ischemia/reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias: the role of adenosine A1 receptors

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid with anti-inflammatory activity mediated by enhancing adenosine signaling. As the adenosine A1 receptor activation confers protection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced ventricular arrhythmias, we hypothesized that CBD may have antiarrhythmic effect through the activation of adenosine A1 receptor. Cannabidiol has recently been shown to suppress ischemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias. We aimed to research the effect of CBD on the incidence and the duration of I/R-induced ventricular arrhythmias and to investigate the role of adenosine A1 receptor activation in the possible antiarrhythmic effect of CBD. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion was induced in anesthetized male rats by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 6 minutes and by loosening the bond at the coronary artery, respectively. Cannabidiol alone was given in a dose of 50 µg/kg, 10 minutes prior to coronary artery occlusion and coadministrated with adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) in a dose of 100 µg/kg, 15 minutes prior to coronary artery occlusion to investigate whether the antiarrhythmic effect of CBD is modified by the activation of adenosine A1 receptors. The experimental groups were as follows: (1) vehicle control (n = 10), (2) CBD (n = 9), (3) DPCPX (n = 7), and (4) CBD + DPCPX group (n = 7). Cannabidiol treatment significantly decreased the incidence and the duration of ventricular tachycardia, total length of arrhythmias, and the arrhythmia scores compared to control during the reperfusion period. The DPCPX treatment alone did not affect the incidence and the duration of any type of arrhythmias. However, DPCPX aborted the antiarrhythmic effect of CBD when it was combined with it. The present results demonstrated that CBD has an antiarrhythmic effect against I/R-induced arrhythmias, and the antiarrhythmic effect of CBD may be mediated through the activation of adenosine A1 receptor.

Pharmacological preconditioning with adenosine A(1) receptor agonist suppresses cellular immune response by an A(2A) receptor dependent mechanism

Under stressful conditions such as ischemia, sepsis, and severe trauma, adenosine levels are elevated and protect the tissue by interaction with G coupled receptors. In a model of peritonitis, we previously found that pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) of mice with a selective adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) agonist, 2-chloro-N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA), induced the A2AR which reduces cytokine secretion and leukocyte recruitment. In our present study we determined whether mice PPC will moderate cellular immune response by the same mechanism. Similar to the effect on inflammation, PPC reduced the response to lymphocyte mitogens and allogeneic MLR response. The inhibitory effect of PPC on the immune response was A1R and A2AR dependent as illustrated by experiments with antagonists of these receptors and mice with knock down (KO) receptors. In MLR with PPC splenocytes we found reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-15, TNF-α) and elevation of IL-10, as well as elevation of regulatory T-cell. Our data indicate that PPC is able to remarkably suppress cellular immune response due to the sensitization A2AR. This effect of PPC sheds light on the protective role of adenosine in ischemic preconditioning and makes this treatment candidate for the prevention of graft rejection.

Hyperkalemic cardioplegia for adult and pediatric surgery: end of an era?

Despite surgical proficiency and innovation driving low mortality rates in cardiac surgery, the disease severity, comorbidity rate, and operative procedural difficulty have increased. Today's cardiac surgery patient is older, has a "sicker" heart and often presents with multiple comorbidities; a scenario that was relatively rare 20 years ago. The global challenge has been to find new ways to make surgery safer for the patient and more predictable for the surgeon. A confounding factor that may influence clinical outcome is high K(+) cardioplegia. For over 40 years, potassium depolarization has been linked to transmembrane ionic imbalances, arrhythmias and conduction disturbances, vasoconstriction, coronary spasm, contractile stunning, and low output syndrome. Other than inducing rapid electrochemical arrest, high K(+) cardioplegia offers little or no inherent protection to adult or pediatric patients. This review provides a brief history of high K(+) cardioplegia, five areas of increasing concern with prolonged membrane K(+) depolarization, and the basic science and clinical data underpinning a new normokalemic, "polarizing" cardioplegia comprising adenosine and lidocaine (AL) with magnesium (Mg(2+)) (ALM™). We argue that improved cardioprotection, better outcomes, faster recoveries and lower healthcare costs are achievable and, despite the early predictions from the stent industry and cardiology, the "cath lab" may not be the place where the new wave of high-risk morbid patients are best served.

Ultra-small intravenous bolus of 7.5% NaCl/Mg²⁺ with adenosine and lidocaine improves early resuscitation outcome in the rat after severe hemorrhagic shock in vivo

OBJECTIVE

Much controversy exists over the fluid composition for hypotensive resuscitation. We previously showed that addition of 6% Dextran-70 or hetastarch to 7.5% NaCl led to heart instability and mortality. Our aim was to examine the early resuscitative effects of 7.5% NaCl with adenosine, lidocaine, and magnesium (ALM) on hemodynamics and mortality in a rat model of severe hemorrhagic shock.

METHODS

Male fed Sprague-Dawley rats (300-450 g, n = 48) were anesthetized and randomly assigned to one of six groups (n = 8): (1) Untreated, (2) 7.5% saline, (3) 7.5% NaCl/Mg²⁺, (4) 7.5% NaCl with adenosine/Mg²⁺, (5) 7.5% NaCl with lidocaine/Mg²⁺, and (6) 7.5% NaCl/ALM. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by phlebotomy until mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 35 mm Hg to 40 mm Hg and continued for 20 minutes (40% blood loss). Animals were left in shock for 60 minutes at 34°C. 0.3 mL (~3.5% of shed blood) was injected as a 10-second bolus into the femoral vein. Lead II electrocardiography, arterial pressures, MAP, heart rate, and rate-pressure product were monitored.

RESULTS

Untreated rats experienced severe arrhythmias and 38% mortality. There were no other deaths. 7.5% NaCl alone failed to maintain MAP after 5 minutes and was significantly improved with Mg²⁺. At 60 minutes, the MAP for 7.5% NaCl alone was 36 mm Hg compared with 48 mm Hg for the magnesium group. 7.5% NaCl/ALM led to a significantly higher MAP (57-60 mm Hg at 45-60 minutes). The higher MAP was associated with up to a 2-fold increase in arterial diastolic pressure. Both 7.5% NaCl with adenosine/Mg²⁺ and lidocaine/Mg²⁺ were mildly bradycardic but not when combined as ALM. A few arrhythmias occurred in 7.5% NaCl group with or without Mg, but no arrhythmias occurred in the other treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Ultra-small intravenous bolus of 7.5% NaCl with ALM led to a significantly higher MAP, higher diastolic rescue, and higher rate-pressure product compared with other treatment groups. The possible clinical and military applications for permissive hypotensive resuscitation are discussed.

The myocardial protection of polarizing cardioplegia combined with delta-opioid receptor agonist in swine

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine whether polarized arrest using adenosine/lidocaine cold crystalloid cardioplegia in combination with the hibernation inductor δ-opioid receptor agonist pentazocine would give satisfactory myocardial protection rather than using depolarized supranormal potassium cardioplegia, supranormal potassium cardioplegia with pentazocine, or adenosine/lidocaine cardioplegia.

METHODS

Twenty pigs were randomly divided into four groups (n=5 each) to receive the four types of cold crystalloid cardioplegia with an aortic cross-clamp time of 1 hour. Hemodynamic data were continuously measured, as was the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVESP), plus or minus derivative of change in diastolic pressure over time (±dp/dt), cardiac output, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac troponin I, and left ventricular ultrastructure.

RESULTS

Both the adenosine/lidocaine/pentazocine group and the adenosine/lidocaine group got significantly better results than the hyperkalemic and hyperkalemic pentazocine groups in improving hemodynamic values, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, LVEDP, LVESP, ±dp/dt, cardiac output, cardiac troponin I values, and left ventricular ultrastructure. There were no statistical differences between the adenosine/lidocaine/pentazocine group and the adenosine/lidocaine group at 1 hour after cross-clamp removal; but at 2 hours after cross-clamp removal, the adenosine/lidocaine/pentazocine group stands out (LVEDP 3.3±0.5, LVESP 122.5±18.9, +dp/dt 2.9±0.1, -dp/dt 2.0±0.6, cardiac output 2.6±0.4, and troponin I 4.9±0.5), with significant differences from the adenosine/lidocaine group (LVEDP 5.8±1.0, LVESP 98.5±10.1, +dp/dt 2.5±0.2, -dp/dt 1.0±0.2, cardiac output 2.2±0.2, troponin I 8.2±0.8; p<0.05). The defibrillation rate was largely decreased after the cross-clamp was released in the group containing pentazocine in cardioplegia.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenosine/lidocaine/pentazocine cold crystalloid cardioplegia gave satisfactory cardiac arrest and better myocardial protection than the other three groups, especially with regard to improving prolonged postoperative cardiac function.

Cardiac Protection During On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Ischemic Versus Isoflurane Preconditioning

Objectives. To compare the cardioprotective effects of anesthetic preconditioning by isoflurane with ischemic preconditioning. Methods. A total of 45 patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery were randomized to preconditioning either by 3 episodes of 1-minute aortic cross-clamping followed by 4 minutes of reperfusion after each episode, a 10-minute exposure to isoflurane 2.5% followed by 5 minutes of washout, or no preconditioning technique (control group). Hemodynamic data, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) release, need for inotropic support, hospital stay, and adverse cardiac events were measured and recorded. Results. Preconditioned patients showed marked improvement in hemodynamic data, less need for inotropic support, and less postoperative increase in the serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI. No significant difference in hospital stay was found. Also, 4 patients in the control group had adverse cardiac events versus 1 patient in the isoflurane and ischemic groups in 1 year of follow-up. Conclusions. Based on this very small sample size, these data support a cardioprotective effect of isoflurane and ischemic preconditioning during CABG surgery.

Warm nondepolarizing adenosine and lidocaine cardioplegia: Continuous versus intermittent delivery

OBJECTIVE

Continuous infusion of warm to normothermic cardioplegia may limit the surgeon's visual field, increase coronary vascular resistance, and lead to potassium-exacerbated ischemia-reperfusion damage. Our aim was to examine the versatility of a new normokalemic, nondepolarizing adenosine-lidocaine cardioplegia during continuous or intermittent infusion at 33 degrees C and compare it with lidocaine cardioplegia.

METHODS

Isolated, perfused rat hearts (n = 6 each group) were arrested at 33 degrees C for 40 or 60 minutes with 200 microm of adenosine and 500 microm of lidocaine in Krebs-Henseleit buffer (10 mmol/L glucose, pH 7.6-7.7 at 37 degrees C) or 500 microm of lidocaine in Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 60 minutes delivered at 60 mm Hg.

RESULTS

Times to arrest were 7 to 10 seconds for the adenosine-lidocaine groups and 102 seconds for the lidocaine group (P < .05). Total cardioplegia volumes for intermittent (2 minutes every 18 minutes) and continuous deliveries were 122 to 159 mL and 699 to 922 mL for the 40- and 60-minute adenosine-lidocaine arrest protocols, respectively, and 136 mL for the 60-minute intermittent lidocaine group. In the last 2 minutes of the 40- and 60-minute arrest protocols, the coronary vascular resistance was not significantly different for the hearts arrested with adenosine and lidocaine (0.27-0.32 megadyne/sec/cm(-5)). Significantly higher coronary vascular resistance was found in the lidocaine cardioplegia group (0.38 megadyne/sec/cm(-5)). No significant differences were found between the continuous or intermittent adenosine-lidocaine delivery protocols. Hearts arrested with adenosine and lidocaine recovered 88% to 89% of aortic flow and 109% of coronary flow at 60 minutes of reperfusion after 40-minute arrest, and 77% to 86% of aortic flow and 98% to 109% of coronary flow at 60 minutes of reperfusion after 60-minute arrest. Lidocaine cardioplegia led to significantly lower aortic and coronary flows after 60-minute arrest compared with the intermittent adenosine-lidocaine group.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that adenosine-lidocaine cardioplegia can be delivered intermittently or continuously with similar functional recoveries after a 40- or 60-minute arrest at 33 degrees C. Hearts receiving lidocaine cardioplegia took a significantly longer time to arrest, showed higher coronary vascular resistance, and achieved lower functional recovery than the 60-minute adenosine-lidocaine cardioplegia groups. Intermittent or continuous delivery of adenosine-lidocaine cardioplegia may offer an alternative to current surgical hyperkalemic cardioplegia at warm to normothermic temperatures.

The effect of an adenosine and lidocaine intravenous infusion on myocardial high-energy phosphates and pH during regional ischemia in the rat model in vivo

We have previously shown that an intravenous infusion of adenosine and lidocaine (AL) solution protects against death and severe arrhythmias and reduces infarct size in the in vivo rat model of regional ischemia. The aim of this study was to examine the relative changes of myocardial high-energy phosphates (ATP and PCr) and pH in the left ventricle during ischemia-reperfusion using 31P NMR in AL-treated rats (n = 7) and controls (n = 6). The AL solution (A: 305 microg.(kg body mass)-1.min-1; L: 608 microg.(kg body mass)-1.min-1) was administered intravenously 5 min before and during 30 min coronary artery ligation. Two controls died from ventricular fibrillation; no deaths were recorded in AL-treated rats. In controls that survived, ATP fell to 73% +/- 29% of baseline by 30 min ischemia and decreased further to 68% +/- 28% during reperfusion followed by a sharp recovery at the end of the reperfusion period. AL-treated rats maintained relatively constant ATP throughout ischemia and reperfusion ranging from 95% +/- 6% to 121% +/- 10% of baseline. Owing to increased variability in controls, these results were not found to be significant. In contrast, control [PCr] was significantly reduced in controls compared with AL-treated rats during ischemia at 10 min (68% +/- 7% vs. 99% +/- 6%), at 15 min (68% +/- 10% vs. 93% +/- 2%), and at 20 min (67% +/- 15% vs. 103% +/- 5%) and during reperfusion at 10 min (56% +/- 22% vs. 99% +/- 7%), at 15 min (60% +/- 10% vs. 98% +/- 7%), and at 35 min (63% +/- 14% vs. 120% +/- 11%) (p < 0.05). Interestingly, changes in intramyocardial pH between each group were not significantly different during ischemia and fell by about 1 pH unit to 6.6. During reperfusion, pH in AL-treated rats recovered to baseline in 5 min but not in controls, which recovered to only around pH 7.1. There was no significant difference in the heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and rate-pressure product between the controls and AL treatment during ischemia and reperfusion. We conclude that AL cardioprotection appears to be associated with the preservation of myocardial high-energy phosphates, downregulation of the heart at the expense of a high acid-load during ischemia, and with a rapid recovery of myocardial pH during reperfusion.