KB-R9032, newly developed Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/H<Superscript>+</Superscript> exchange inhibitor,attenuates reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in isolated perfused rat heart

Purpose This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of KB-R9032, a newly developed Na⁺-H⁺ exchange inhibitor, on reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmia in the isolated perfused rat heart.Methods Male Wistar rat hearts (n = 48; 12 for each group) were perfused with modified Krebs-Ringers solution equilibrated with 5% carbon dioxide in oxygen by means of the Langendorff technique. An occluder was placed around the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Heart rate, coronary flow, and ECG were monitored. Drug-free perfusate was used for 10min before switching to a perfusate containing various concentrations of KB-R9032. The added concentrations of KB-R9032 varied in the range of 0 (control) to 1 × 10^–5mol·l^–1. Each heart was subjected to regional ischemia (occlusion of LAD for 11min) and to 3min of reperfusion (release of the ligation).Results In the control group, reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred in 91.7%, and the duration was 158.2 ± 14.4s (mean ± SEM); however, 1 × 10^–7, 1 × 10^–6, and 1 × 10^–5mol·l^–1 KB-R9032 reduced the incidence of VF to 75.0%, 42.9%, and 6.7%, respectively (P < 0.05 at 1 × 10^–5mol·l^–1 of KB-R9032) and reduced the duration of VF to 64.8 ± 22.1, 16.8 ± 10.1, and 1.2 ± 1.2s, respectively (P < 0.05 at 1 × 10^–6 and 1 × 10^–5mol·l^–1 of KB-R9032).Conclusion It was shown in this study that the Na⁺/H⁺ exchange inhibitor KB-R9032 suppresses reperfusion arrhythmias in the ischemia-reperfusion model of isolated rat heart.     

Cariporide is cardioprotective after iatrogenic ventricular fibrillation in the intact swine heart

BACKGROUND: We sought to introduce sodium-hydrogen exchange inhibition as prophylaxis against the development of ventricular dysfunction in the setting of implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion in high-risk patients. Cariporide, shown to be safe in humans, was used to reproduce previous results in our laboratory that demonstrated that sodium-hydrogen exchange inhibition preserves left ventricular (LV) function after ventricular fibrillation (VF) and reperfusion. METHODS: Twelve pigs (weight, 35 to 55 kg) were divided into two groups of six. Baseline ventricular function studies were based on echocardiography, conductance, aortic flow, and LV pressure. Animals were given vehicle (control) or cariporide (3 mg/kg intravenously). Ten minutes later, hearts underwent 80 seconds of VF. After reperfusion for 40 minutes, function studies were repeated. RESULTS: Postmortem examination included measuring passive pressure-volume curves and myocardial water content. Systolic indices, including preload recruitable stroke work and ejection fraction, were significantly depressed from baseline after VF and reperfusion for control animals (preload recruitable stroke work, 30.13 +/- 0.59 [standard error of the mean] versus 43.85 +/- 2.60 mm Hg; ejection fraction, 25.7% +/- 2.4% versus 33.5% +/- 3.0%) but not for those in the cariporide group (preload recruitable stroke work, 38.36 +/- 1.87 versus 40.86 +/- 1.45 mm Hg; ejection fraction, 33.9% +/- 3.5% versus 32.8% +/- 3.9%). In vivo diastolic indices demonstrated trends toward diminished ventricular compliance in control animals but not in the cariporide group after VF and reperfusion. Control animals had significantly increased postmortem LV stiffness, myocardial water content, and normalized LV mass. CONCLUSIONS: Cariporide preserves LV function after 80 seconds of VF and 40 minutes of reperfusion. Cariporide may prove useful in patients with severe LV dysfunction undergoing VF for implantable cardioverter defibrillator testing.     

Ischemic postconditioning: brief ischemia during reperfusion converts persistent ventricular fibrillation into regular rhythm

Objectives: Brief episodes of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion employed during reperfusion after a prolonged ischemic insult may attenuate the total ischemia-reperfusion injury. This phenomenon has been termed ischemic postconditioning. In the present study, we studied the possible effect of postconditioning on persistent reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) in the isolated rat heart model. Methods: Isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts (n=46) were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia and reperfusion. The hearts with persistent VF (n=11) present after 15 min of reperfusion were then randomly assigned into one of the two groups: (1) control hearts (n=6), in which perfusion was continued without intervention; (2) postconditioned hearts (n=5) subjected to 2 min of global ischemia followed by reperfusion. Left ventricular pressures, heart rate, coronary flow, and electrogram were monitored throughout the experiment. Results: Conversion of VF into regular rhythm was observed in all hearts subjected to postconditioning. Regular beating was maintained by all postconditioned hearts during the subsequent reperfusion. None of the hearts in the control group had normal rhythm at the end of the experiment. At the end of reperfusion, the left ventricular developed pressure was lower in beating postconditioned hearts compared to the hearts that did not develop persistent VF. Conclusions: Ischemic postconditioning possesses strong antiarrhythmic effect against persistent reperfusion-induced tachyarrhythmias. Postconditioning may be an interesting, novel adjunct strategy to protect the heart.     

Inhibition of Na(+)/H(+) isoform-1 exchange protects hearts perfused after 6-hour cardioplegic cold storage.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac ischemia-reperfusion activates Na(+)/H(+) exchange; excess Na(+) and the resulting Ca(2+) overload, through reverse Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange, cause cellular injury and cardiac dysfunction. We postulated that inhibiting the Na(+)/H(+) isoform-1 exchanger would add to the protection of hearts after long-term cold storage in acidic cardioplegic solution. METHODS: Guinea pig hearts were isolated and perfused at 37 degrees C with Krebs-Ringer's solution (KRS) and then switched to an acidic St. Thomas solution (STS) at 25 degrees C. Perfusion was stopped at 10 degrees C, and hearts were stored for 6 hours in STS at 3.4 degrees C. On reperfusion to 25 degrees C, hearts were perfused with KRS for 60 minutes. Hearts were divided into 4 groups: sham control (SHAM); eniporide (EPR, EMD96785) IV, 1 mg/kg given IV over 15 minutes before heart isolation; EPR intracoronary, 1 micromol/liter in STS given intracoronary after heart isolation; and EPR IV and intracoronary. RESULTS: Values at 60 minutes reperfusion (the percentage of control [100%] before cold storage) are given, respectively, for EPR IV, EPR intracoronary, and EPR IV and intracoronary vs drug-free SHAM (SEM, *p < 0.05 vs SHAM): 72% +/- 3%*, 65% +/- 3%*, and 81% +/- 2%* vs 55% +/- 3% for left ventricular pressure; 94% +/- 3%*, 96% +/- 5%*, and 102% +/- 2%* vs 81% +/- 3% for coronary flow; 60% +/- 2%, 58% +/- 3%, and 74%* +/- 3% vs 58% +/- 4% for cardiac efficiency; 106% +/- 2%*, 108% +/- 3%*, and 107% +/- 2%* vs 116% +/- 4% for percentage of O(2) extraction. Infarct size as percentage of ventricular weight was 20% +/- 3%*, 31% +/- 3%, and 6% +/- 2%* vs 35% +/- 3% (SHAM) after 60 minutes of reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Na(+)/H(+) isoform-1 exchanger inhibition, particularly if given IV before storage and intracoronary during cooling and rewarming, adds to the protection of cardioplegic solutions.     

Efficacy of a hydroxyl radical scavenger (VF 233) in preventing reperfusion injury in the isolated rabbit heart.

We tested the hypothesis that 3,4,5,-trihydroxybenzamidoxime (VF 233), a demonstrated hydroxyl radical scavenger and an effective Fe3+ chelator, attenuates reperfusion injury and improves isovolumic left ventricular function. Eighteen isolated, perfused rabbit hearts with intracavitary balloons were subjected to normothermic, global ischemia until the initiation of ischemic contracture. Effects on the adenine nucleotide pool metabolites were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography from right ventricular biopsy specimens before ischemia and at 15-minute intervals throughout reperfusion. In the experimental group (n = 9), a 5-mL bolus of 1 mol/L VF 233 was given immediately before reperfusion and followed by a continuous infusion (0.125 mumol/min). The control group (n = 9) received the vehicle solution at identical times. Rabbits treated with VF 233 had significant improvement in left ventricular function (expressed as percent return of left ventricular peak developed pressure) within 15 minutes of reperfusion (55.0 +/- 3.0 versus 66.2 +/- 4.1; p less than 0.05 by analysis of variance) after global ischemia and remained significantly improved throughout the reperfusion period. Myocardial adenine nucleotide pool intermediates were not significantly different between groups. These results demonstrate that administration of VF 233 significantly improves ventricular function but does not affect adenine nucleotide metabolism after ischemia and reperfusion.     

Blood cardioplegic protection in profoundly damaged hearts: role of Na+-H+ exchange inhibition during pretreatment or during controlled reperfusion supplementation

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchanger before ischemia protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury, but use as pretreatment before blood cardioplegic protection or as a supplement to controlled blood cardioplegic reperfusion was not previously tested in jeopardized hearts. METHODS: Control studies tested the safety of glutamate-aspartate-enriched blood cardioplegic solution in 4 Yorkshire-Duroc pigs undergoing 30 minutes of aortic clamping without prior unprotected ischemia. Twenty-four pigs underwent 30 minutes of unprotected normothermic global ischemia to create a jeopardized heart. Six of these hearts received normal blood reperfusion, and the other 18 jeopardized hearts underwent 30 more minutes of aortic clamping with cardioplegic protection. In 12 of these, the Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor cariporide was used as intravenous pretreatment (n = 6) or added to the cardioplegic reperfusate (n = 6). RESULTS: Complete functional, biochemical, and endothelial recovery occurred after 30 minutes of blood cardioplegic arrest without preceding unprotected ischemia. Thirty minutes of normothermic ischemia and normal blood reperfusion produced 33% mortality and severe left ventricular dysfunction in survivors (preload recruitable stroke work, 23% +/- 6% of baseline levels), with raised creatine kinase MB, conjugated dienes, endothelin-1, myeloperoxidase activity, and extensive myocardial edema. Blood cardioplegia was functionally protective, despite adding 30 more minutes of ischemia; there was no mortality, and left ventricular function improved (preload recruitable stroke work, 58% +/- 21%, p < 0.05 versus normal blood reperfusion), but adverse biochemical and endothelial variables did not change. In contrast, Na+/H+ exchanger inhibition as either pretreatment or added during cardioplegic reperfusion improved myocardial recovery (preload recruitable stroke work, 88% +/- 9% and 80% +/- 7%, respectively, p < 0.05 versus without cariporide) and comparably restored injury variables. CONCLUSIONS: Na+/H+ exchanger blockage as either pretreatment or during blood cardioplegic reperfusion comparably delays functional, biochemical, and endothelial injury in jeopardized hearts.     

A study of the myocardial protective effect of rapid cooling based on intracellular Ca, intracellular pH, and HSP70.

Objective: It has been reported that rapid cooling of the heart during normothermic coronary circulation at reperfusion after ischemia promotes early recovery of cardiac function due to the positive inotropic effects on the myocardium produced by cooling. The aim of the present study was to investigate the myocardial protective effect of rapid cooling by measuring heat shock protein (HSP) levels and examining the relationship between cardiac function, intracellular Ca concentration, and intracellular pH after rapid cooling. Methods: Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to ischemia for 60 minutes at a myocardial temperature of 37 degrees C. One group of hearts (group R) was subjected to 3 minutes of rapid cooling (相似文献   

Exogenous adenosine accelerates recovery of cardiac function and improves coronary flow after long-term hypothermic storage and transplantation.

Impaired coronary flow during postischemic reperfusion may limit functional recovery. In the present studies we used the heterotopically transplanted rat heart and the isolated working rat heart to assess whether adenosine, given during reperfusion, could improve either the rate or the extent of postischemic recovery. Hearts were arrested (2 minutes at 4 degrees C) with the St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution and stored by immersion in the same solution for 8 hours at 4 degrees C. Hearts were then transplanted into the abdomen of homozygous recipients. Immediately before reperfusion, adenosine (0.5 ml of a 1 mumol/L solution, equivalent to 0.13 micrograms) was injected into the left ventricle (control rats received an equivalent amount of saline). Hearts were reperfused in vivo for 30 minutes or 24 hours, after which they were excised and perfused (Langendorff) for 20 minutes for the assessment of function. They were then freeze clamped and taken for metabolic analysis. After 50 minutes of reperfusion, left ventricular developed pressure was 75 +/- 5 mm Hg (4 mm Hg end-diastolic pressure) in the adenosine group versus 61 +/- 4 mm Hg in the control group (p less than 0.05); however, after 24 hours function was identical in the two groups (52 +/- 4 versus 52 +/- 3 mm Hg). After 50 minutes of reperfusion coronary flow was greater in the adenosine group (11.0 +/- 0.4 versus 9.7 +/- 0.4 ml/min in control rats; p less than 0.05), a difference that was sustained for 24 hours (12.8 +/- 0.3 versus 11.4 +/- 0.4 ml/min in control rats; p less than 0.05). Adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate contents recovered to similar extents in control and adenosine groups after both 50 minutes and 24 hours of reperfusion. In further studies with an identical storage protocol (8 hours at 4 degrees C), hearts were not transplanted but were reperfused with crystalloid medium in the Langendorff mode for 15 minutes (creatine kinase leakage measured) and in the working mode for 180 minutes. In an attempt to mimic the heterotopic transplant protocol, adenosine (1 mumol/L) was included in the perfusion fluid for the first 2 minutes of reperfusion. Similar results to those of the transplant studies were obtained, with coronary flow being consistently improved in the adenosine group; however, this benefit was lost after only 2 hours of reperfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Anesthetic preconditioning enhances Ca2+ handling and mechanical and metabolic function elicited by Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibition in isolated hearts

BACKGROUND: Anesthetic preconditioning (APC) is well known to protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Studies also show the benefit of Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibition on ischemia-reperfusion injury. The authors tested whether APC plus Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitors given just on reperfusion affords additive protection in intact hearts. METHODS: Cytosolic [Ca2+] was measured by fluorescence at the left ventricular wall of guinea pig isolated hearts using indo-1 dye. Sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-cycling proteins, i.e., Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor [RyR2]), sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-pump adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA2a), and phospholamban were measured by Western blots. Hearts were assigned to seven groups (n = 8 each): (1) time control; (2) ischemia; (3, 4) 10 microM Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitor KB-R7943 (KBR) or 1 microM SEA0400 (SEA), given during the first 10 min of reperfusion; (5) APC initiated by sevoflurane (2.2%, 0.41 +/- 0.03 mm) given for 15 min and washed out for 15 min before ischemia-reperfusion; (6, 7) APC plus KBR or SEA. RESULTS: The authors found that APC reduced the increase in systolic [Ca2+], whereas KBR and SEA both reduced the increase in diastolic [Ca2+] on reperfusion. Each intervention improved recovery of left ventricular function. Moreover, APC plus KBR or SEA afforded better functional recovery than APC, KBR, or SEA alone (P < 0.05). Ischemia-reperfusion-induced degradation of major sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-cycling proteins was attenuated by APC, but not by KBR or SEA. CONCLUSIONS: APC plus Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibition exerts additive protection in part by reducing systolic and diastolic Ca2+ overload, respectively, during ischemia-reperfusion. Less degradation of sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-cycling proteins may also contribute to cardiac protection.     

Ozone administration reduces reperfusion injury in an isolated rat heart model

BACKGROUND: Accumulating clinical experience with ozone administration for conditions associated with ischemia has been encouraging. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of ozone on reperfusion injury in an isolated rat heart model. METHODS: Isolated rat hearts were perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer solution via ascending aorta cannulation. After 15 minutes, perfusion was stopped and global ischemia was maintained for 30 minutes, following which perfusion was restarted, and continued for 40 minutes. Baseline hemodynamic measurements (heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), dP/dt, and coronary flow) were taken prior to ischemia, and every 10 minutes after reperfusion was started. Eleven hearts were treated with ozone during reperfusion and eight hearts served as controls. In the treatment group, after 5 minutes of reperfusion, ozone was administered in distilled water via a side arm for 5 minutes. RESULTS: Preischemic baseline hemodynamic measurements and coronary flow were similar in the two groups. Hearts treated with ozone during reperfusion exhibited better recovery than did controls. Mean (+/-SE) percent recovery for treatment and control groups, respectively, was: LVDP 69 +/- 2% vs 51 +/- 6% (p = 0.04); dP/dt 68.9 +/- 13.3% vs 53.7 +/- 20.4% (p = 0.05); and LVDPxHR 61.4 +/- 3.3% vs 44.4 +/- 3.5% (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In the isolated rat heart model, treatment with ozone during reperfusion enables better recovery than in controls. Although the mechanism by which ozone exerts its beneficial effect is not identified, it is possibly due to reduction in reperfusion injury.     

Anesthetic Preconditioning Enhances Ca2+ Handling and Mechanical and Metabolic Function Elicited by Na+-Ca2+ Exchange Inhibition in Isolated Hearts

Background: Anesthetic preconditioning (APC) is well known to protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Studies also show the benefit of Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibition on ischemia-reperfusion injury. The authors tested whether APC plus Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitors given just on reperfusion affords additive protection in intact hearts.

Methods: Cytosolic [Ca2+] was measured by fluorescence at the left ventricular wall of guinea pig isolated hearts using indo-1 dye. Sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-cycling proteins, i.e., Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor [RyR2]), sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-pump adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA2a), and phospholamban were measured by Western blots. Hearts were assigned to seven groups (n = 8 each): (1) time control; (2) ischemia; (3, 4) 10 [mu]m Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitor KB-R7943 (KBR) or 1 [mu]m SEA0400 (SEA), given during the first 10 min of reperfusion; (5) APC initiated by sevoflurane (2.2%, 0.41 +/- 0.03 mm) given for 15 min and washed out for 15 min before ischemia-reperfusion; (6, 7) APC plus KBR or SEA.

Results: The authors found that APC reduced the increase in systolic [Ca2+], whereas KBR and SEA both reduced the increase in diastolic [Ca2+] on reperfusion. Each intervention improved recovery of left ventricular function. Moreover, APC plus KBR or SEA afforded better functional recovery than APC, KBR, or SEA alone (P < 0.05). Ischemia-reperfusion-induced degradation of major sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-cycling proteins was attenuated by APC, but not by KBR or SEA.     

Sodium-hydrogen exchange inhibition preserves ventricular function after ventricular fibrillation in the intact swine heart

BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that sodium-hydrogen exchange inhibition attenuates ventricular dysfunction after ischemia-reperfusion injury in the intact porcine heart. METHODS: Twelve pigs (weight, 30-45 kg) were evenly divided into 2 groups. Baseline ventricular function studies were based on echocardiography, conductance, aortic flow, and left ventricular pressure. Animals were given vehicle (control) or benzamide-N-(aminoiminomethl)-4-(4-[2-furanylcarbonyl]-1-piperazinyl)-3-(methylsulfonyl)methanesulfonate (BIIB 513; 3 mg/kg administered intravenously). Ten minutes later, hearts were subjected to 75 seconds of ventricular fibrillation. After reperfusion for 40 minutes, function studies were repeated. Hearts were arrested and excised. Postmortem data included passive pressure-volume curves and myocardial water content. RESULTS: Preload recruitable stroke work was significantly decreased from baseline after ischemia and reperfusion in the control group (27.7 +/- 2.5 vs 48.0 +/- 5.6 mm Hg [+/- SEM], P =.001) but not in the BIIB 513 group (43.0 +/- 5.8 vs 45.5 +/- 4.1 mm Hg, P = not significant). In vivo diastolic and postmortem passive left ventricular compliance were reduced after ischemia and reperfusion for control animals but remained unchanged for animals receiving BIIB 513. Time required to recover baseline blood pressure after ventricular fibrillation was significantly longer for control animals (159 +/- 15 vs 88 +/- 14 seconds [+/- SEM], P =.008). Myocardial water content (78.97% +/- 0.94% vs 77.86% +/- 0.46% [+/- SEM]) and normalized left ventricular mass (137.24 +/- 6.17 vs 128.41 +/- 1.96 g [+/- SEM]) were insignificantly increased in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium-hydrogen exchange inhibition attenuates ventricular dysfunction after 75 seconds of ventricular fibrillation and 40 minutes of reperfusion. This family of agents might prove useful in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing ventricular fibrillation for implantable cardioverter defibrillator testing.     

Effects of Na(+)-HCO3- symport on ischemia/reperfusion injury; Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor and buffer composition

We studied the impact of perfusate buffer composition on the relative degree of protection afforded by Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) inhibition during ischemia as opposed to during reperfusion. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with bicarbonate- or HEPES-buffered medium. There was infusion of HOE 694 immediately before ischemia, during initial reperfusion, or during both of these periods. With bicarbonate-buffered medium, HOE 694 improved the post-ischemic recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) when given before ischemia and before ischemia plus during reperfusion. In the presence of HEPES-buffered medium, however, HOE 694 significantly improved recovery of LVDP in all protocols. HOE 694 also provided an almost complete recovery of LVDP (88 +/- 9% vs 30 +/- 7% in controls) when given before ischemia plus during reperfusion. In conclusion, our results suggest that the influence of NHE activity during reperfusion on the extent of functional recovery is modulated significantly by perfusate buffer composition.     

The effects of Na movement on surgical myocardial protection: the role of the Na+-H+ exchange system and Na-channel in the development of ischemia and reperfusion injury.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether the Na+-H+ exchange inhibitor, HOE642 (Hoe), and/or the Na channel blocker, mexiletine (Mex), enhance a cardioprotective effect on St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution (STS) to clarify the mechanism by which intracellular Na+ is accumulated after cardioplegic arrest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolated working rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (KHBB). The hearts were then arrested with STS and subjected to normothermic global ischemia (30 min). This was followed by Langendorff reperfusion (15 min) and then a working reperfusion (20 min). In study A, we added Hoe (5, 10, and 20 microM), Mex (70 microM), or a combination of Hoe (20 microM) and Mex (70 microM), to STS. In study B, we added Hoe (20 microM), Mex (70 microM), or a combination of Hoe (20 microM) and Mex (70 microM) to KHBB during the first 3 min of Langendorff reperfusion. RESULTS: In study A, the addition of Hoe (10 and 20 microM) to STS showed a significantly greater postischemic recovery of cardiac output compared to the control group [63.1+/-5.7% (10 microM), 62.7+/-4.7% (20 microM), and 55.5+/-4.6% (control), respectively]. The postischemic recovery of cardiac output was significantly greater in the group of the combined addition (Hoe and Mex) to STS than that in the control, 20 microM Hoe, 70 microM Mex groups [70.3+/-3.7 (Hoe and Mex), 55.5+/-4.6% (control), 62.7+/-4.7% (Hoe 20 microM), and 60.2+/-4.7% (Mex 70 microM), respectively]. The myocardial water content in the postischemic period was 565.1+/-29.1, 525.8+/-2.9, 509.4+/-19.6, and 532.2+/-20.1; it was 497.3+/-9.1 mL/100 g dry weight in the control; and 10 microM Hoe, 20 microM Hoe, and 70 microM Mex in the combined use groups. In study B, there was no significant difference in the postischemic recovery of cardiac output in all experimental groups. CONCLUSION: The combined use of the Na+-H+ exchange inhibitor and Na+ channel blocker during cardioplegia may achieve a superior cardioprotective effect on myocardial damage because of ischemia and reperfusion.     

Effects of supplemental L-arginine during warm blood cardioplegia.

OBJECTIVES: Effects of supplemental L-arginine, nitric oxide precursor, during warm blood cardioplegia were assessed in the blood perfused isolated rat heart. METHODS: The isolated hearts were perfused with blood at 37 degrees C from a support rat. After 20 minutes of aerobic perfusion, the hearts were arrested for 60 minutes with warm blood cardioplegia given at 20-minute intervals. This was followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. The hearts were divided into the following three groups according to the supplemental drugs added to the cardioplegic solution. The control group (n = 10) received standard warm blood cardioplegia. The L-ARG group (n = 10) received warm blood cardioplegia supplemented with L-arginine (3 mmol/l). The L-NAME group (n = 10) received warm blood cardioplegia supplemented with L-arginine (3 mmol/l) and L-nitro-arginine methyl ester, a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (1 mmol/l). After 60 minutes of cardioplegic arrest, cardiac function, myocardial metabolism and myocardial release of circulating adhesion molecules were measured during reperfusion. RESULTS: Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the L-ARG group than in the control group and the L-NAME group during reperfusion. Isovolumic left ventricular developed pressure, dp/dt and coronary blood flow were significantly greater (p< 0.05) in the L-ARG group during reperfusion. The L-ARG group resulted in early recovery of lactate metabolism during reperfusion. Myocardial release of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin were significantly less (p<0.05) in the L-ARG group at 15 minutes of reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that augmented nitric oxide by adding L-arginine to warm blood cardioplegia can preserve left ventricular function and ameliorate endothelial inflammation. The technique can be a novel cardioprotective strategy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.     

Rapid cooling contracture of the myocardium. The adverse effect of prearrest cardiac hypothermia

Hypothermic total circulatory arrest for repair of congenital heart lesions in neonates requires a period of rapid core cooling on cardiopulmonary bypass during which the myocardium is also exposed to hypothermic perfusion. Myocardial hypothermia in the nonarrested state results in an increase in contractility due to elevation of intracellular calcium levels. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that rapid myocardial cooling before cardioplegic ischemic arrest results in damage, with impaired recovery during reperfusion. Two groups of 10 rabbit hearts were perfused on an isolated Langendorff apparatus. Group N (normothermia) was perfused at 37 degrees C before 2 hours of cardioplegic ischemic arrest at 10 degrees C. Group C (cooling) was perfused at 15 degrees C in the unarrested state for 20 minutes before the same cardioplegic arrest conditions as group N. Left ventricular isovolumic pressure measurements, biochemical measurements from right ventricular biopsy specimens, and ventricular necrosis as defined by tetrazolium staining were used to compare the groups at 30 and 60 minutes of normothermic reperfusion. Developed pressure at a constant volume was preserved in group N at 90.7 +/- 4.5 mm Hg versus 76.9 +/- 6.3 in group C after reperfusion (p less than 0.05). Diastolic compliance showed significant deterioration in group C, with marked elevation of diastolic pressure during reperfusion (group N = 6.8 +/- 2.5 mm Hg versus group C = 38.9 +/- 6.1 after reperfusion; p less than 0.001). Adenosine triphosphate levels were significantly higher in group N both at end-ischemia and after reperfusion versus group C (group N = 17.0 +/- 1.1 nmol/mg protein versus group C = 7.7 +/- 1.0 after reperfusion; p less than 0.001). Group N had 0.4% +/- 0.4% necrosis of ventricular mass versus 19.3% +/- 2.2% with prearrest cooling in group C (p less than 0.0001). These results indicate that, when combined with cardioplegic ischemic arrest, rapid myocardial cooling in the unarrested state results in significant damage. The mechanism may be related to the cytosolic calcium loading effect of hypothermia that is not relieved during the subsequent period of cardioplegic arrest. Although hypothermia is an essential component to ischemic preservation, rapid cooling contracture can adversely influence cardioplegic myocardial protection.     

Intra-myocyte ion homeostasis during ischemia-reperfusion injury: effects of pharmacologic preconditioning and controlled reperfusion

BACKGROUND: This study determines whether controlled reperfusion or diazoxide improves intramyocyte Na(+) homeostasis using a porcine model of severe ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Three groups (n = 10 pigs per group) had 75 minutes of left anterior descending artery occlusion during bypass. Group 1 had no treatment (control group), group 2 had controlled reperfusion (500 mL warm cardioplegia) (controlled reperfusion group), and group 3 had diazoxide (50 micromol/L before left anterior descending artery occlusion) (diazoxide group). Biopsies were taken from the left anterior descending artery region before ischemia and at 3, 5, and 10 minutes postreperfusion. Intra-myocyte Na(+) and water contents were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy, and Na(+) concentrations were calculated. RESULTS: Intra-myocyte Na(+) increased for the diazoxide group pigs at 3-minutes postreperfusion (21.9 +/- 2.9 vs 34.0 +/- 3.4 micromol/mL; p = 0.02), but decreased to 19.9 +/- 3.2 micromol/mL at 10 minutes postreperfusion (p = 1.0 vs baseline). At 10 minutes postreperfusion, intra-myocyte Na(+) in the controlled reperfusion group was lower than baseline (22.3 +/- 2.7 vs 17.2 +/- 3.1 micromol/mL; p < 0.001). Intra-myocyte Na(+) at 10 minutes postreperfusion for the diazoxide and controlled reperfusion groups was lower than for the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Diazoxide and controlled reperfusion improved intra-myocyte Na(+) homeostasis after severe ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Analysis of determinants of ventricular fibrillation induced by reperfusion: dissociation between electrical instability and myocardial damage.

To assess the underlying mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation induced by myocardial reperfusion after cardioplegic arrest, 62 patients undergoing an open heart operation were divided into two groups based on the absence (group 1, n = 37) or the development (group 2, n = 25) of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation. There was no close relationship between the incidence of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation and aortic clamp time. On reperfusion, the time to onset of cardiac activity was similar in groups 1 (2.4 +/- 1.8 minutes) and 2 (1.9 +/- 1.1 minutes). At that time, there was no significant difference in values of arterial oxygen and bicarbonate contents, pH, or base excess between the two groups, but myocardial temperature was significantly higher in group 2 (25.6 degrees +/- 3.4 degrees versus 27.6 degrees +/- 2.4 degrees C; p less than 0.05). In addition, serum levels of sodium (123.9 +/- 4.2 versus 126.1 +/- 3.7 mmol/L; p less than 0.05) and calcium (0.80 +/- 0.07 versus 0.84 +/- 0.05 mmol/L; p less than 0.05) were significantly higher and serum potassium levels (3.98 +/- 0.58 versus 3.55 +/- 0.61 mmol/L; p less than 0.02) and the serum potassium to calcium ratio (4.94 +/- 0.90 versus 4.29 +/- 0.72; p less than 0.01) significantly lower in group 2. Postoperative serum levels of the myocardial-specific isoenzyme of creatine kinase and myoglobin were similar in both groups. By multivariate analysis, shorter ischemic time, higher myocardial temperature, higher serum sodium concentration, and lower serum potassium to calcium ratio were found to influence induction of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

pH paradox and neonatal heart.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the functional status of the Na+/H+ exchanger in the neonatal heart. METHODS: On the Langendorff system, isolated neonatal rabbit hearts were arrested by using cardioplegia with or without a specific Na+/H+ exchanger blocker, 5-(N,N dimethyl) amiloride (DMA) (20 microM). Ischemic period was 40 minutes at 37 degrees C or 120 minutes at 20 degrees C before 30 minutes of reperfusion at 37 degrees C. When DMA was added to the cardioplegia solution, it was also added to the reperfusate for the first 5 minutes of reperfusion (20 microM). RESULTS: Postischemic developed pressure was 50.3+/-7.1 mmHg in the DMA group versus 25.9+/-6 mmHg in the control group (p<0.05) at 37 degrees C and 74.8+/-14.6 mmHg in the DMA group versus 60.6+/-11.5 mmHg in the control group (p<0.05) at 20 degrees C. Postischeimic diastolic pressure was 40.4+/-3.3 mmHg in the DMA group versus 28.4+/-7 mmHg in the control group (p<0.05) at 37 degrees C and 9.6+/-3.1 mmHg in the DMA group versus 15+/-3.7 in the control group (p<0.05) at 20 degrees C. Creatine kinase washout was 296+/-97 IU/L in the DMA group versus 1253+/-537 IU/L in the control group (p<0.05) at 37 degrees C and 370+/-156 IU/L in the DMA group versus 524+/-104 IU/L in the control group (p<0.05) at 20 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The Na+/H+ exchanger is active in the neonatal heart. 2) The Na+/H+ exchanger plays a key-role in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury of the neonatal myocardium. 3) This exchanger is sensitive even for low H+ transmembrane gradients and even under hypothermic conditions.     

Experimental study of pegylated liposomal hemoglobin on norepinephrine release and reperfusion arrhythmias in isolated guinea pig hearts.

PURPOSE: Under myocardial reperfusion conditions, hemoglobin (Hb)-based artificial blood showed effectiveness for post-ischemic dysfunction. However, there are no studies about the effects of this product on reperfusion arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation, VF) associated with norepinephrine (NE) release. This study was to evaluate the effects of the timing of the administration of pegylated liposomal Hb (LHb, P(50)=40-45 mmHg, 1 mg/mL) on NE release and VF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolated guinea pig hearts (n=6 in each group) were randomly divided into four groups in Krebs-Henseleit solution being supplemented or not with LHb as follows: pre-ischemia (PRE), reperfusion (REP), or PRE+REP groups. The hearts were perfused for 30 min (preischemic period) and then subjected to 30 min of global ischemia, followed by 30 min of reperfusion with a normothermic Langendorff apparatus at 30 mm Hg aortic pressure in a constant pressure model. RESULTS: No differences were documented among the four groups in heart rate, left ventricular-developed pressure, or coronary flow rate. However, the REP group significantly decreased the duration of VF and NE release, but it did not inhibit the incidence of VF. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the administration of LHb, especially with the timing of reperfusion, might prevent reperfusion arrhythmias linked to the inhibition of NE release.