Role of protease inhibition in myocardial preservation in prolonged hypothermic cardioplegia followed by reperfusion. Effect of aprotinin in an experimental model

The effects of aprotinin on canine myocardium subjected to cardioplegia and global ischemia for 4 hours and then reperfused for 1 hour were investigated. Lysosomal and mitochondrial enzymes and cyclic nucleotides (adenosine cyclic monophosphate and guanosine cyclic monophosphate) were measured in coronary sinus blood. Aprotinin was given intravenously before cardiopulmonary bypass at total doses of 10 X 10(3) kallikrein units per kilogram (group A, six dogs) and 20 X 10(3) KU/kg (group B, six dogs). In group A, three dogs survived but with poor cardiac function; all dogs in group B survived and had better cardiac function. Lysosomal (N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase) and mitochondrial (aspartate aminotransferase) enzymes in coronary sinus blood at 60 minutes of reperfusion were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in group B than in group A. In both groups, guanosine cyclic monophosphate was significantly (p less than 0.01) lower during reperfusion than before cardiopulmonary bypass; however, the values were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in group B than in group A. Serum adenosine cyclic monophosphate was lower during reperfusion than before bypass in both groups, but it recovered during reperfusion in group B. Myocardial adenosine triphosphate was well preserved in both groups but creatine phosphate was decreased (p less than 0.01) in group A. These results suggest that aprotinin at a dose of 20 X 10(3) KU/kg may be effective in preserving myocardial viability and function after prolonged cardioplegia.     

Delayed myocardial metabolic recovery after blood cardioplegia

Previous studies have demonstrated that both myocardial metabolism and ventricular function were depressed after blood cardioplegic arrest for elective coronary artery bypass grafting. To evaluate the etiology of this metabolic defect, we measured the levels of adenine nucleotides and their precursors in 29 patients undergoing elective coronary revascularization. Myocardial biopsy specimens were obtained at 37 degrees C before cardioplegic arrest, immediately after 74 +/- 4 minutes of cardioplegic arrest, and after 30 minutes of reperfusion. Biopsy specimens were analyzed for levels of adenine nucleotides and their precursors by high-performance liquid chromatography. Adenosine triphosphate concentrations decreased with cardioplegic arrest and with reperfusion. Adenosine monophosphate concentrations increased after cardioplegic arrest and remained nearly twice the initial values after reperfusion. The ratio of adenosine monophosphate to adenosine triphosphate doubled after reperfusion, suggesting defective conversion of adenosine monophosphate to adenosine triphosphate. Levels of adenine nucleotide degradation products (adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine) increased after cardioplegia and decreased with reperfusion, suggesting a washout of soluble precursors. This study suggests that improvements in myocardial protection should attempt to stimulate mitochondrial energy production and preserve adenine nucleotide precursors.     

Augmenting intracellular adenosine improves myocardial recovery

The objective of this study was to determine if augmentation of myocardial adenosine levels during global ischemia improves functional recovery after reperfusion. Isolated adult rabbit hearts were subjected to 120 minutes of mildly hypothermic ischemia (34 degrees C) with modified St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution used to provide myocardial protection. Myocardial adenosine levels were augmented during ischemia by providing exogenous adenosine in the cardioplegic solution or by inhibiting adenosine degradation with 2-deoxycoformycin, a noncompetitive inhibitor of adenosine deaminase. Four groups of hearts were studied: (1) control (n = 23)--cardioplegia alone; (2) adenosine group (n = 10)--adenosine 200 mumol/L added to the cardioplegic solution; (3) 2-deoxycoformycin group (n = 8)--2-deoxycoformycin 1 mumol/L added to the cardioplegic solution; and (4) a combined adenosine/deoxycoformycin group (n = 10). Recovery of developed pressure 45 minutes after reperfusion in the control group averaged only 38% +/- 4% of baseline values. Significantly better recovery was evident in the adenosine (66% +/- 7%), deoxycoformycin (59% +/- 2%), and adenosine/deoxycoformycin (75% +/- 2%) groups. The slope of the relationship between end-diastolic pressure and volume was used as an index of diastolic stiffness. The slope averaged 85 +/- 2 mm Hg/ml in the control group 45 minutes after reperfusion, significantly higher than that in the adenosine (31 +/- 6), deoxycoformycin (75 +/- 5), and adenosine/deoxycoformycin (58 +/- 5) groups; this suggests better diastolic function in the adenosine-augmented groups. During ischemia, adenosine levels were significantly elevated in the adenosine-augmented groups, whereas adenosine triphosphate decreased equally in all four groups, which indicates that augmenting myocardial adenosine had no effect on depletion of adenosine triphosphate during ischemia. After reperfusion, adenosine triphosphate levels were depressed in the control group but increased in the other groups above baseline values, which suggests that improvement in functional recovery was due to accelerated repletion of adenine nucleotide stores in the adenosine-augmented groups.     

Metabolic enhancement of myocardial preservation during cardioplegic arrest

An experimental study was undertaken to evaluate the relative efficacy of oxygenated versus unoxygenated cardioplegic solutions and to determine if the addition of certain metabolically active substrates to cardioplegic solutions had any effect on myocardial preservation. Sixty-one pigs were divided into seven groups of animals (5 to 15 animals per group). The impact of different cardioplegic vehicles, i.e., crystalloid versus the oxygen-carrying vehicles, blood and Fluosol-DA, on preservation of high-energy phosphates (adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate) was examined in the first three animal groups. The influence of Krebs cycle intermediates, i.e., glutamate, malate, succinate and fumarate, on adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate preservation was evaluated in the other four animal groups. All hearts underwent 120 minutes of hypothermic cardioplegic arrest at 15 degrees C followed by 60 minutes of normothermic reperfusion. Higher adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate levels were maintained during arrest when oxygenated solutions were used as the cardioplegic vehicle and when any of the four intermediates were added to the crystalloid cardioplegic solution, especially succinate and fumarate. During reperfusion, however, adenosine triphosphate levels were uniformly lower than control whereas creatine phosphate levels rose to either control levels or higher in all groups. No significant intergroup difference could be identified during reperfusion. These findings lead to the conclusion that the presence of either oxygen or certain Krebs cycle intermediates enhances the protective effect of hyperkalemic hypothermic cardioplegia on high-energy phosphates during the arrest period only. This enhancement is not maintained during the reperfusion period.     

Effect of increasing volume of cardioplegic solution on postischemic myocardial recovery

Multidose cardioplegia has been reported to be superior to single-dose cardioplegia in protecting the heart during ischemia. However, large volumes of cardioplegic solution may be detrimental because of washout of adenine nucleotide degradation products that accumulate during ischemia, which limits recovery of adenosine triphosphate. We designed an experiment to test the effects of increasing the volume of cardioplegic solution on postischemic myocardial recovery. Four groups were studied: Group 1, initial 2 minute single dose of cardioplegic solution; Group 2, infusion of cardioplegic solution every 30 minutes for 1 minute; Group 3, infusion of cardioplegic solution every 20 minutes for 1 minute; and Group 4, infusion of cardioplegic solution every 20 minutes for 2 minutes. All groups were ischemic for 2 hours at 20 degrees C. Although washout of nucleotide degradation products during the ischemic interval increased with higher volumes of cardioplegic infusion, the total washout (infusion plus initial 5 minutes of reperfusion) was not different among all groups. The multidose groups recovered function better and had significantly higher levels of total tissue purines after 30 minutes of reperfusion. There was no difference in adenosine triphosphate levels among all groups after reperfusion. We conclude that increasing the volume of cardioplegic solution, within a clinically relevant range is not associated with increasing loss of adenine nucleotides from the cell or with impaired functional recovery of the heart.     

Enhanced myocardial preservation by nicotinic acid, an antilipolytic compound. Improved cardiac performance after hypothermic cardioplegic arrest

The effect of nicotinic acid, an antilipolytic drug, on myocardial preservation was studied on the basis of cardiac performance after 2 hours of cardioplegic arrest. Isolated in situ pig hearts were subjected to 120 minutes of hypothermic potassium (35 mEq) crystalloid cardioplegic arrest followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. The experimental group received nicotinic acid 0.08 mmol/L 15 minutes before cardioplegic arrest, whereas the control group received 15 minutes of unmodified perfusion. There was a marked decline in myocardial creatine phosphate levels during cardioplegic arrest in both groups that returned to the baseline level during reperfusion without a significant intergroup difference, and adenosine triphosphate levels remained stable throughout the experiment in both groups. Myocardial oxygen consumption during reperfusion was significantly higher in hearts treated with nicotinic acid, which was consistent with a significantly greater cardiac contractile force as evaluated by isovolumetric left ventricular pressure measurements. There appeared to be less cardiac membrane damage as measured by creatine kinase release during reperfusion, which was significantly inhibited by treatment with nicotinic acid. The present study supports the conclusion that nicotinic acid improves cardiac performance after hypothermic cardioplegic arrest.     

The effect of sodium concentration on myocardial viability in donor heart preservation using a nondepolarizing solution

This study examined the effect of different sodium concentrations in a nondepolarizing solution on myocardial viability and functional recovery of the canine donor heart. Isolated canine hearts were preserved for 6 h at 5°C, followed by normothermic reperfusion for 2 h. Dogs were divided into two groups of nine dogs each: group 1 received a nondepolarizing solution with 70mm Na⁺ and group 2 with 30mm Na⁺. The myocardial Ca²⁺ concentration at the end of preservation was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 and increased after reperfusion in both groups without any intergroup difference. Myocardial concentrations of ATP, ADP, and total adenine nucleotide at the end of reperfusion were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. Myocardial cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentration was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 at the end of both preservation and reperfusion. The myocardial cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentration in group 1 increased and was higher than in group 2 at the end of preservation, but had returned to normal levels by the end of reperfusion. However, it remained unchanged through preservation and reperfusion in group 2. The left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, assessed by pressurevolume relationship, was better in group 1 than in group 2. Mitochondrial ultrastructural changes were similar. These results suggest that a nondepolarizing solution containing 70mm Na⁺ provides better myocardial protection than a solution containing 30mm Na⁺.     

The effect of betamethasone on myocardial viability during cold cardioplegia in canine donor heart preservation

This study examined the effect of betamethasone on myocardial viability of reperfused isolated canine hearts following a 6-h hypothermic cardioplegia. The dogs were divided into two groups: group I (n = 9) received nondepolarizing cardioplegia containing betamethasone 250 mg/l while group II (n = 7) was administered cardioplegia without betamethasone. The myocardial concentrations of calcium, ATP, ADP, total adenine nucleotide, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were identical in the two groups throughout the experiment. The coronary sinus plasma concentrations of MB fraction off creatine kinase (MB-CK), cAMP and cGMP after 2 h of reperfusion were significantly lower in group I than in group II. The myocardial mitochondrial ultrastructure, as assessed by semiquantitative morphometry, was found to be significantly better preserved in group I than in group II at the end of both preservation and reperfusion. In addition, the left ventricular end-systolic pressure volume relation (ESPVR) showed a higher slope and lower intercept in group I than in group II. These results suggest that the addition of betamethasone to nondepolarizing cold cardioplegia enhances myocardial protection via membrane stabilization without affecting the adenine nucleotide metabolism.     

Effects of ischemic preconditioning on myocardial protective on cardiac surgery: possibility of ischemic preconditioning and adenosine administration.

Subject: We evaluated the efficacy for concomitant use of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and cardioplegic arrest with adenosine premedication on myocardial protection.Methods: Twenty-one pigs were divided into three groups: 1) control group, 2) IPC group which had IPC, 3) IPC+adenosine triphosphate (ATP) group which had an administration of 140 gamma of ATP (Adetphos, Kowa, Tokyo, Japan) during IPC. IPC was employed by 3 minutes of aortic cross clamping and 5 minutes of reperfusion. After cardioplegic arrest, the hemodynamical state was observed during 60 minutes of reperfusion. Serum adenosine, troponin-T, E-max, and Tau (the time constant of early diastolic left ventricular pressure decay) were compared. Results: Serum adenosine levels and at the end of IPC and 60 minutes reperfusion were significantly higher in the IPC and IPC+ATP groups than the control group. Comparison of the myocardial contractile force indicator E-max showed that the IPC and IPC+ATP groups showed significantly higher recovery rates of myocardial contractile force than the control group. Tau was the lowest in the IPC+ATP group than the other groups. In the histopathological study, the control group showed widely distributed hypercontraction bands and waving degeneration of myofibrils. On the other hand, the structure of myofibrils was well preserved in the IPC and IPC+ATP groups.Conclusions: The concomitant use of IPC enhanced the effect of a myocardial protective solution. However, the administration of adenosine during IPC did not show any further advantage than IPC along. (Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003; 9: 307-13)     

Effects of potassium cardioplegia on high-energy phosphate kinetics during circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia in the newborn piglet heart

The protective effects of hypothermia and potassium-solution cardioplegia on high-energy phosphate levels and intracellular pH were evaluated in the newborn piglet heart by means of in vivo phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All animals underwent cardiopulmonary bypass, cooling to 20 degrees C, 120 minutes of circulatory arrest, rewarming with cardiopulmonary bypass, and 1 hour off extracorporeal support with continuous hemodynamic and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic evaluation. Group I (n = 5) was cooled to 20 degrees C; group II (n = 4) was given a single dose of 20 degrees C cardioplegic solution; group III (n = 7) was given a single dose of 4 degrees C cardioplegic solution; and group IV (n = 4) received 4 degrees C cardioplegic solution every 30 minutes. At end ischemia, adenosine triphosphate, expressed as a percent of control value, was lowest in group I 54% +/- 6.5% but only slightly greater in group II 66% +/- 7.0%. Use of 4 degrees C cardioplegic solution in groups III and IV resulted in a significant decrease in myocardial temperature, 9.9 degrees C versus 17 degrees to 20 degrees C, and significantly higher levels of adenosine triphosphate at end ischemia; with group III levels at 72% +/- 6.0% and group IV levels at 73% +/- 6.0%. Recovery of adenosine triphosphate with reperfusion was not related to the level of adenosine triphosphate at end ischemia and was best in groups I and II, with a recovery level of 95% +/- 4.0%. In group IV, no recovery of adenosine triphosphate occurred with reperfusion, resulting in a significantly lower level of adenosine triphosphate, 74% +/- 6.0%, than in groups I and II. Recovery of ventricular function was good for all groups but was best in hearts receiving a single dose of 4 degrees C cardioplegic solution. In this model, multiple doses of cardioplegic solution were not associated with either improved adenosine triphosphate retention during arrest or improved ventricular function after reperfusion, and in fact resulted in a significantly lower level of adenosine triphosphate with reperfusion. The complete recovery of adenosine triphosphate in groups I and II, despite a nearly 50% adenosine triphosphate loss during ischemia, may result from a decrease in the catabolism of the metabolites of adenosine triphosphate consumption in the newborn heart.     

The acute effects of AICAR on purine nucleotide metabolism and postischemic cardiac function

The purine precursor AICAR (5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide) has been advocated as a substrate for myocardial adenine nucleotide repletion during postischemic reperfusion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of this agent on adenine nucleotides, inosine monophosphate, and postischemic ventricular function in an isolated rat heart preparation. The hearts were perfused at constant flow, either continuously for 90 minutes or for a 30 minute period followed by 10 minutes of global normothermic (37 degrees C) ischemia. The ischemic hearts were then reperfused for 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Both groups were treated with AICAR in a concentration of 100 mumol/L throughout the perfusion protocols. In the nonischemic time control group there was no effect on the levels of adenosine nucleotides or developed pressure over 90 minutes of perfusion. In contrast, AICAR treatment increased tissue inosine monophosphate content four-fold and sevenfold at 60 and 90 minutes, respectively (p less than 0.05), but had no effect on tissue adenosine monophosphate levels. During ischemia, there was a 50% decrease in adenosine triphosphate content in the AICAR-treated hearts and a thirteen-fold increase in adenosine monophosphate levels (p less than 0.05). After 60 minutes of reperfusion, adenosine triphosphate and monophosphate levels in the AICAR-treated hearts recovered to only 52% and 59% of preischemic values, respectively. These findings were similar to those observed in the untreated ischemic hearts. In contrast, tissue inosine monophosphate content in the AICAR-treated hearts during reperfusion remained significantly elevated and was fivefold greater than the reperfusion values in the untreated group. Concurrently, AICAR failed to enhance the recovery of postischemic left ventricular developed pressure. These results suggest that inhibition of the conversion of inosine monophosphate to adenosine monophosphate limits the usefulness of the agent in evaluating the temporal relationships between postischemic adenosine triphosphate repletion and recovery of myocardial function in the acute setting.     

Optimal myocardial preservation with an acalcemic crystalloid cardioplegic solution

The effect of the calcium and oxygen contents of a hyperkalemic glucose-containing cardioplegic solution on myocardial preservation was examined in the isolated working rat heart. The cardioplegic solution was delivered at 4 degrees C every 15 minutes during 2 hours of arrest, maintaining a myocardial temperature of 8 degrees +/- 2 degrees C. Hearts were reperfused in the Langendorff mode for 15 minutes and then resumed the working mode for a further 30 minutes. Groups of hearts were given the oxygenated cardioplegic solution containing an ionized calcium concentration of 0, 0.25, 0.75, or 1.25 mmol/L or the same solution nitrogenated to reduce the oxygen content and containing 0 or 0.75 mmol ionized calcium per liter. The myocardial adenosine triphosphate concentrations at the end of arrest in these six groups of hearts were 15.6 +/- 1.2, 9.5 +/- 0.5, 8.2 +/- 1.1, 4.9 +/- 1.8, 10.1 +/- 2.0, and 1.6 +/- 0.4 nmol/mg dry weight, respectively. At 5 minutes of working reperfusion, the percentages of prearrest aortic flow were 80 +/- 2, 62 +/- 4, 33 +/- 6, 37 +/- 5, 48 +/- 7 and 46 +/- 8, respectively. The differences among the groups in adenosine triphosphate concentrations and in functional recovery diminished during reperfusion. In hearts given the hypoxic calcium-containing solution, there was a marked increase in coronary vascular resistance during the administration of successive doses of cardioplegic solution, which was rapidly reversible upon reperfusion. These data indicate that hearts given the acalcemic oxygenated solution had better adenosine triphosphate preservation during arrest and better functional recovery than hearts in any other group. Addition of calcium to the oxygenated cardioplegic solution decreased adenosine triphosphate preservation and functional recovery. Oxygenation of the acalcemic solution increased adenosine triphosphate preservation and functional recovery. The lowest adenosine triphosphate levels at end arrest were observed in hearts given the hypoxic calcium-containing solution. In the setting of hypothermia and multidose administration, the addition of calcium to a cardioplegic solution resulted in increased energy depletion during arrest and depressed recovery.     

The effect of temperature and hematocrit level of oxygenated cardioplegic solutions on myocardial preservation

The ideal temperature and hematocrit level of blood cardioplegia has not been clearly established. This study was undertaken (a) to determine the optimal temperature of blood cardioplegia and (b) to study the effect of hematocrit levels in blood cardioplegia. A comparison of myocardial preservation was done among seven groups of animals on the basis of variations in hematocrit levels and temperature of oxygenated cardioplegic solution. The experimental protocol consisted of a 2-hour hypothermic cardioplegic arrest followed by 1 hour of normothermic reperfusion. Group 1 received oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegic solution at 10 degrees C. Groups 2 through 7 received oxygenated blood cardioplegic solution with the following hematocrit values and temperatures: (2) 10%, 10 degrees C; (3) 10%, 20 degrees C; (4) 10%, 30 degrees C; (5) 20%, 10 degrees C; (6) 20%, 20 degrees C; and (7) 20%, 30 degrees C. Parameters studied include coronary blood flow, myocardial oxygen extraction, myocardial oxygen consumption, and myocardial high-energy phosphate levels of adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate during control (prearrest), arrest, and reperfusion. Myocardial oxygen consumption at 30 degrees C during arrest was significantly higher than at 10 degrees C and 20 degrees C, which indicates continued aerobic metabolic activity at higher temperature. Myocardial oxygen consumption and the levels of adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate during reperfusion were similar in all seven groups. Myocardial oxygen extraction (a measure of metabolic function after ischemia) during initial reperfusion was significantly lower in the 30 degrees C blood group than in the 10 degrees C blood group at either hematocrit level and in the oxygenated crystalloid group, which suggests inferior preservation. The hematocrit level of blood cardioplegia did not affect adenosine triphosphate or myocardial oxygen consumption or extraction. It appears from this study that blood cardioplegia at 10 degrees C and oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia at 10 degrees C are equally effective. Elevating blood cardioplegia temperature to 30 degrees C, however, reduces the ability of the solution to preserve metabolic function regardless of hematocrit level. Therefore, the level of hypothermia is important in blood cardioplegia, whereas hematocrit level has no detectable impact, and cold oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia is as effective as hypothermic blood cardioplegia.     

Potential for Pulmonary Protection by Nebulized Milrinone During Warm Ischemia

Objective

A method to compensate for the donor shortage may be the utilization of donation after cardiac death. The control of lung injury against warm ischemia is crucial in manipulating donors after cardiac death. Nebulization is a simple and feasible drug delivery route after cardiac death. Herein we have examined the potential effect of nebulized milrinone, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, on pulmonary warm ischemia.

Materials and Methods

Deeply anesthetized rats were euthanized by exsanguination. Lungs were exposed to warm ischemia with ventilation up to 2 hours. Milrinone was nebulized for 10 minutes at the beginning of warm ischemia (n = 5). In the control group (n = 5), normal saline was nebulized for the same time. At given intervals, the lungs were partially resected to measure adenine nucleotide and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels.

Results

In both groups, lung tissue cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels decreased significantly at 2 hours after warm ischemia; however, there was no significant difference between the groups. Lung tissue adenosine triphosphate levels significantly decreased at 2 hours after ischemia in the control group, while they did not drop up to 2 hours in the milrinone group. Further, lung tissue adenosine triphosphate levels at 2 hours after ischemia were higher in the milrinone group than the control group.

Conclusions

Our results confirmed that milrinone nebulization during warm ischemia maintained lung tissue adenosine triphosphate levels. Therefore, milrinone nebulization may have potential for lung protection against warm ischemia.     

Metabolic intervention to affect myocardial recovery following ischemia.

Myocardial recovery during reperfusion following ischemia is critical to patient survival in a broad spectrum of clinical settings. Myocardial functional recovery following ischemia correlates well with recovery of myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine triphosphate recovery is uniformly incomplete during reperfusion following moderate ischemic injury and is therefore subject to manipulation by metabolic intervention. By definition ATP recovery is limited either by (1) energy availability and application in the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to ATP or (2) availability of AMP for this conversion. Experimental data suggest that substrate energy and the mechanisms required for its application in the creation of high energy phosphate bonds (AMP conversion to ATP) are more than adequate during reperfusion following moderate ischemic injury. Adenosine monophosphate availability, however, is inadequate following ischemia due to loss of diffusable adenine nucleotide purine metabolites. These purine precursors are necessary to fuel adenine nucleotide salvage pathways. Metabolic interventions that enhance AMP recovery rather than those that improve substrate energy availability during reperfusion are therefore recommended. The mechanisms of various metabolic interventions are discussed in this framework along with the rationale for or against their clinical application.     

Inadequate myocardial protection with cold cardioplegic arrest during repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Postoperative low cardiac output is the most common cause of death in patients undergoing elective repair of tetralogy of Fallot. The incidence is much higher than in elective adult bypass operations for coronary artery disease. To explain this difference, we investigated 16 children having elective repair of tetralogy (mean age 6.3 years). Myocardial biopsy specimens obtained during bypass before arrest, at the end of cold arrest by blood cardioplegia, and after 30 minutes of reperfusion were studied for adenosine triphosphate and lactate levels. Myocardium was submitted for microscopic study shortly after the onset of ischemia. The operation was successful in reducing right ventricular-pulmonary artery gradients from 82 +/- 28 to 9 +/- 1 mm Hg, yet seven patients required significant inotropic support (dopamine, greater than 5 micrograms/kg/min) for more than 24 hours and 12 patients needed prolonged use of digoxin and diuretics for right ventricular failure. Tissue levels of adenosine triphosphate and lactate in the tetralogy groups were compared with those in 20 adults with coronary artery disease having similar myocardial protection techniques. Adenosine triphosphate levels in the tetralogy group decreased during cross-clamping (41 +/- 8 minutes) from 24 +/- 3 to 16 +/- 2 mmol/kg dry weight (mean +/- 1 standard error), with a marked further drop after reperfusion to 9 +/- 2 mmol/kg (p less than 0.01). Adenosine triphosphate levels in the group with coronary disease also decreased from 20 +/- 1 to 16 +/- 1 mmol/kg after a longer cross-clamp time (70 +/- 17 minutes) but remained at 15 +/- 2 mmol/kg after reperfusion. Tissue lactate levels in the tetralogy group rose markedly during ischemia and remained elevated after reperfusion. In contrast, lactate levels in the group with coronary disease rose moderately during ischemia and returned to normal early on reperfusion. Microscopic study revealed focal myocyte necrosis in tetralogy of Fallot. Our findings, which demonstrate inadequate myocardial protection of patients with tetralogy during repair, with depression of adenosine triphosphate and increased lactate during ischemia and reperfusion, suggest a defect in oxidative metabolism. The drop in adenosine triphosphate after reperfusion in the patients with tetralogy implicates reperfusion injury as a mechanism of myocardial damage.     

Effects of L-arginine administration before cardioplegic arrest on ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Administration of L-arginine during reperfusion or its addition to cardioplegic solution has been shown to protect myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study aimed at evaluating the role of L-arginine in ischemia-reperfusion injury when administered intraperitoneally 24 hours before cardioplegic arrest. METHODS: Two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (control, n = 10; and L-arginine, n = 10) were studied in an isolated buffer-perfused heart model. Both groups were injected intraperitoneally 24 hours before ischemia. Before experimentation blood samples were collected for cardiac troponin I and cGMP analysis. In the coronary effluents, cardiac troponin I, adenosine, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and nitric oxide metabolites were assayed. RESULTS: Before heart excision, serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were higher in the L-arginine than in the control group (0.037 +/- 0.01 versus 0.02 +/- 0.05 microg x L(-1); p < 0.05). During reperfusion, cardiac troponin I release was lower in the L-arginine than in the control group (0.04 +/- 0.01 versus 0.19 +/- 0.03 ng x min(-1); p < 0.05). The coronary flow as well as the left ventricular developed pressure were higher in the L-arginine than in the control group before ischemia and remained so throughout the experimentation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that L-arginine administered intraperitoneally 24 hours before cardioplegic arrest reduced myocardial cell injury and seems to protect myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

The role of cardioplegic solution buffering in myocardial protection. A biochemical and histopathological assessment

The advantages of buffering cardioplegic solutions to improve adenosine triphosphate preservation and postarrest hemodynamic function have been previously promoted. We evaluated the benefit of histidine buffering (195 mmol/L) in a low sodium (27 mEq/L) cardioplegic solution (Roe's) in a canine model of multidose cardioplegic arrest. Four solutions, two unbuffered (K+ = 10 mEq/L and K+ = 30 mEq/L) and two buffered (K+ = 10 mEq/L and K+ = 30 mEq/L), were tested in four groups of dogs for a 4 1/2 hour arrest period followed by 1 hour of reperfusion. Use of the unbuffered solution resulted in a drop in myocardial adenosine triphosphate from 29 +/- 1 mmol/kg (mean +/- standard error of the mean) (K+ = 30 mEq/L) and 28 +/- 2 mmol/kg (K+ = 10 mEq/L) to 8 +/- 2 mmol/kg and 7 +/- 2 mmol/kg, respectively, during the arrest period. In both buffered groups, adenosine triphosphate remained at preischemic levels during the entire arrest period. Myocardial glycogen followed the same pattern as adenosine triphosphate in the buffered groups. Lactate production was markedly elevated in all groups during ischemia. Postarrest hemodynamic function, as assessed by intraventricular isovolumic developed pressure measurements, was better (p less than 0.05) in the buffered low-potassium group than in the other three groups. The extent of myocardial necrosis, measured by triphenyl tetrazolium staining and confirmed by electron microscopy, was minimal (2% +/- 1% of biventricular mass) in the buffered low-potassium group, significantly greater (7% +/- 2% and 10% +/- 2%) in the unbuffered high-potassium and low-potassium groups, respectively, and highest (35% +/- 9%) in the buffered high-potassium group. These findings indicate that significant buffering capacity (similar to that of blood) in a crystalloid cardioplegic solution can be effective in preserving myocardial adenosine triphosphate stores, improving postarrest contractile function, and minimizing myocardial necrosis, provided the combination of high extracellular potassium and high pH levels is avoided.     

Reduction of myocardial reperfusion injury by aprotinin after regional ischemia and cardioplegic arrest

BACKGROUND: Surgical coronary revascularization with cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia has been associated with reperfusion injury. The serine protease inhibitor aprotinin has been suggested to reduce reperfusion injury, yet a clinically relevant study examining regional ischemia under conditions of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia has not been performed. METHODS: Pigs were subjected to 30 minutes of regional myocardial ischemia by distal left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, followed by 60 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass with 45 minutes of cardioplegic arrest and 90 minutes of post-cardiopulmonary bypass reperfusion. The treatment group (n = 6) was administered aprotinin systemically (40,000 kallikrein-inhibiting units [KIU]/kg intravenous loading dose, 40,000 KIU/kg pump prime, and 10,000 KIU x kg(-1) x h(-1) intravenous continuous infusion). Control animals (n = 6) received crystalloid solution. Global and regional myocardial functions were analyzed by the left ventricular+dP/dt and the percentage segment shortening, respectively. Left ventricular infarct size was measured by tetrazolium staining. Tissue myeloperoxidase activity was measured. Myocardial sections were immunohistochemically stained for nitrotyrosine. Coronary microvessel function was studied by videomicroscopy. RESULTS: Myocardial infarct size was decreased with aprotinin treatment (27.0% +/- 3.5% vs 45.3% +/- 3.0%, aprotinin vs control; P <.05). Myocardium from the ischemic territory showed diminished nitrotyrosine staining in aprotinin-treated animals versus controls, and this was significant by grade (1.3 +/- 0.2 vs 3.2 +/- 0.2, aprotinin vs control; P <.01). In the aprotinin group, coronary microvessel relaxation improved most in response to the endothelium-dependent agonist adenosine diphosphate (44.7% +/- 3.2% vs 19.7% +/- 1.7%, aprotinin vs control; P <.01). No significant improvements in myocardial function were observed with aprotinin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Aprotinin reduces reperfusion injury after regional ischemia and cardioplegic arrest. Protease inhibition may represent a molecular strategy to prevent postoperative myocardial injury after surgical revascularization with cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Oxygen requirements of the isolated rat heart during hypothermic cardioplegia. Effect of oxygenation on metabolic and functional recovery after five hours of arrest

Previous studies from this laboratory demonstrated that the use of an oxygenated cardioplegic solution in the hypothermic arrested rat heart resulted in improved preservation of high-energy phosphate stores (adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate), mechanical recovery during reperfusion, and preservation of myocardial ultrastructure. In the current study the effect of cardioplegic solutions oxygenated with 30%, 60%, and 95% oxygen was evaluated in the isolated rat heart with reference to the maintenance of adenosine triphosphate, creatine phosphate, oxygen consumption, functional recovery, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in vitro. Results indicate that the hearts receiving cardioplegic solutions supplemented with 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide maintained adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate at control values for at least 5 hours. The oxygen consumption during elective cardiac arrest, mechanical performance during reperfusion, and in vitro mitochondrial oxygen uptake and phosphorylation rate were highest in the hearts receiving cardioplegic solutions supplemented with 95% oxygen when compared to solutions with 30% and 60% oxygen. Addition of glucose and insulin to the cardioplegic solution (95% oxygen) increased the adenosine triphosphate levels but failed to improve function after reperfusion. Although myocardial adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate were well preserved by the oxygenated cardioplegic solution, there was a discrepancy between the adenosine triphosphate levels at the end of the arrest period, which represents the potential for mechanical function, and the actual function of the hearts after 5 hours.