Shen-fu injection attenuates postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction in a porcine model of cardiac arrest

To investigate the effect of Shen-Fu injection (SFI) for the management of postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction in a porcine model of cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation was induced electrically in anesthetized domestic swine. After 4 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated. Sixteen successfully resuscitated pigs were randomized to receive a continuous infusion of either SFI (0.24 mg/min) or saline placebo for 6 h, beginning 15 min after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The SFI treatment produced better left ventricular +dP/dtmax, -dP/dtmax, cardiac output, and ejection fraction after ROSC. The SFI treatment also produced lower serum cardiac troponin I, lactate levels, and left ventricle malondialdehyde content after ROSC, whereas left ventricle superoxide dismutase, Na-K-ATPase, and Ca-ATPase activity were significantly increased in the SFI group when compared with saline group. The cardioprotective effect of SFI was further confirmed by myocardial ultrastructure examination. Shen-Fu injection can attenuate postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction through beneficial effects on energy metabolism and remarkable antioxidant capacity.