Beneficial effects of alkalotic reperfusion following ischemic cardiac arrest.

The results of the present study indicate that exposure of ischemic myocardium to a solution with a low hydrogen ion concentration (pH 7.70) during the immediate post-ischemic period provides for better myocardial functional recovery and less myocardial water accumulation than does exposure to solutions with a normal hydrogen ion concentration (pH 7.40). Furthermore, exposure of the postischemic myocardium to a solution with a high hydrogen ion concentration (pH 7.10) results in poor recovery of ventricular function and significant myocardial water accumulation following reperfusion. Neither the beneficial effect of alkalotic reperfusion nor the harmful effect of acidotic reperfusion is associated with alterations in intramyocardial pCO₂ concentrations.