Cold-blood potassium cardioplegia

The addition of glutathione (YM737) to a crystalloid cardioplegic solution enhances myocardial protection

The effectiveness of a glutathione preparation, YM737, as a free radical scavenger when added to hypothermic (4 degrees C) crystalloid cardioplegic solution was evaluated in this study. Rabbit hearts were preserved for 3 h in cardioplegic arrest by infusing 20 ml crystalloid cardioplegic solution initially, with additional 10-ml boluses administered every 30 min, while maintaining a myocardial temperature of 10 degrees C. They were then reperfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer at 37 degrees C in a perfusion circuit for 60 min. The hearts were divided into two groups of six: One in which crystalloid cardioplegic solution was perfused (group 1); and one in which crystalloid cardioplegic solution containing YM737 1 mg/ml was perfused (group 2). The postischemic developed pressure (mmHg) in group 2 was significantly greater than that in group 1 after 60 min of reperfusion, being 44.8 +/- 8.4 versus 87.8 +/- 5.2 in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.01). Moreover, group 2 exhibited significantly lower postischemic left ventricular compliance after 60 min than group 1 (P < 0.01) and a significantly higher postischemic peak LV dp/dt (mmHg/sec) after 60 min of reperfusion, being 925 +/- 213 versus 1,550 +/- 111 in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05). Based on the comparisons of postischemic hemodynamics it was concluded that the addition of glutathione to crystalloid cardioplegic solution does in fact enhance myocardial protection.

Concepts and techniques of myocardial protection for adult open heart surgery

Discussions of myocardial protection are often limited to the subject of cardioplegia. However, numerous aspects of operative and perioperative care are of comparable importance. This article outlines the broad topic of myocardial protection, provides strategies for its practical implementation, and reports the author's personal results.

Effect of glutathion pretreatment on hypothermic ischemic cardioplegia

Glutathion (GSH) plays an important role in maintenance of the redox state of the myocardium and acts as the membrane stabilizer. Seventeen patients who underwent cardiac surgery were subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and ischemic cardioplegia. The effect of GSH on ischemic myocardium was evaluated by serum lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase), isoenzymes of creatine phosphokinase (MB-CPK) and aspartate aminotransferase (m-GOT). standard CPB was instituted and systemic hypothermia was employed. GSH was administered to 8 patients in a dose of 200 mg/kg i.v. prior to institution of CPB. Mixed venous blood was sampled before administration of GSH, 10 min after institution of CPB and 0, 1, 6, 24 and 48 hr of reperfusion period following cardioplegia. Activity of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase were significantly suppressed in the GSH-treated group compared to the non-treated group at 24 hours of reperfusion and immediately after aortic unclamping, respectively. Serum MB-CPK levels remained stable during reperfusion, but in the non-treated group, the level increased significantly at 6 hours of reperfusion. Increment of serum m-GOT levels was significantly suppressed at 1, 6 and 24 hours of reperfusion, compared to the non-treated group. These data suggest that pretreatment of GSH can protect the myocardium subjected to CPB from ischemic insult.

Cold blood-diltiazem cardioplegia

The calcium channel blocker, diltiazem, has been studied in the same model used for evaluation of cold blood-potassium cardioplegia. Six dogs (Group 1) had one hour of myocardial ischemia with topical ice (myocardial temperature, 7 degrees +/- 2 degrees C) after coronary perfusion with 200 ml of cold blood (5 degrees +/- 1 degree C) containing diltiazem, 400 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. Seven dogs (Group 2) had two hours of ischemia after perfusion with 200 ml of cold blood containing 200 micrograms/kg and reperfusion every 30 minutes with 100 ml of cold blood and diltiazem, 100 micrograms/kg. Baseline studies were repeated after rewarming and 40 minutes of reperfusion. No inotropic agents or calcium were used. Heart rate, peak systolic pressure, velocity of the contractile element, peak + rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt), peak - dP/dt, dP/dt over common peak isovolumic pressure, left ventricular compliance and stiffness, and heart water were unchanged in Group 1. In Group 2, heart rate slowed (p less than 0.025) and compliance decreased (p less than 0.02). In both groups, coronary vascular resistance declined (p less than 0.001) and recovery of adenosine triphosphate (p less than 0.001), adenosine diphosphate (p less than 0.025), and the adenosine pool (p less than 0.001) was impaired. Ultrastructure was well preserved, but myofibrillar lesions were noted in Group 2. Diltiazem cardioplegia was associated with good functional recovery, but there was impairment of high-energy phosphate metabolism.