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Biomedical subjects

G N Olinger

Publications and source records attributed to G N Olinger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Protection of the ischemic immature heart--effect of perfusate reinfusion and composition.

We determined the influence of perfusate composition and reinfusion during ischemia upon myocardial protection in the immature rabbit heart. Isolated "working" hearts (n = 6 per group) from 7-10-day-old New Zealand White rabbits were perfused with Krebs bicarbonate buffer and function measured. Hearts were then arrested with 3 minutes cold (14 degrees C) perfusion with bicarbonate buffer (as hypothermia-alone group) or St. Thomas' II cardioplegic solution (as hypothermia-plus-cardioplegia group). Hearts were then subjected to hypothermic (14 degrees C) global ischemia for 2 or 6 hours, with and without multiple reinfusion of the coronary vasculature. Following 2 hours ischemia impaired recovery of aortic flow occurred after multiple reinfusion in comparison with a single infusion with the cardioplegic solution (64 +/- 3% versus 72 +/- 4%) but not with bicarbonate buffer (79 +/- 3% versus 83 +/- 4%). However after 6 hours ischemia impaired recovery of function occurred after multiple reinfusion in comparison with single infusion both with the cardioplegic solution (60 +/- 3% versus 68 +/- 3%) and with bicarbonate buffer (57 +/- 4% versus 75 +/- 5%). There were no differences in post-ischemic creatine kinase leakage or myocardial water content between groups. These results suggest (i) that reinfusion itself, regardless of the composition of the perfusate, caused decreased recovery of function after an extended period of ischemia, and (ii) protection of the ischemic immature heart with St. Thomas' II solution remains inadequate and requires improvement.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

CT after reconstructive repair of the sternum and chest wall.

Acute mediastinitis and sternal infection after sternotomy are potentially devastating complications, but considerable advances in treatment have been made during the past decade. Sternectomy followed by reconstruction with use of either an omental transposition or a muscle flap has markedly decreased mortality and morbidity. After extensive rib resection, various reconstructive repairs, including the use of polytetrafluoroethylene mesh, have proved successful. The authors retrospectively reviewed 27 postoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans obtained in 19 patients. Twelve of these patients had sternal wounds repaired with either omental or muscle flap procedures. Seven patients had chest wall reconstructions with polytetrafluoroethylene patches, muscle transpositions, or both. The authors found no cases of unexpected or unexplained fluid collections on CT scans obtained beyond the 1st month. Any persistent or recurrent collection is suggestive of infection. If clinical and imaging findings are at odds, imaging-directed needle aspiration can help determine whether a fluid collection is infected and in need of further treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Management of patients with intramural hematoma of the thoracic aorta.

BACKGROUND: Intramural hematoma of the thoracic aorta (IMH) is a diagnosis of exclusion and represents spontaneous, localized hemorrhage into the wall of the thoracic aorta in the absence of bona fide aortic dissection, intimal tear, or penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. This process may arise from primary vasa vasorum hemorrhage within the aortic media or rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque. The clinical presentation of patients with IMH mimics that of acute aortic dissection; moreover, considerable diagnostic confusion exists despite the use of many different imaging modalities. The optimal mode of management of patients with IMH (medical versus medical plus surgical) remains problematic because of the paucity of information available. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen patients with IMH were managed at two medical centers between 1983 and 1992. Patients with IMH caused by giant penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers were specifically excluded. There were 8 women and 5 men (mean age, 70 years [range, 54 to 82 years]). The admitting clinical diagnosis was acute aortic dissection, and all patients had a history of hypertension. There was no evidence of aortic dissection or intimal disruption as assessed by computed tomographic (CT) scan (n = 11), aortography (n = 10), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (n = 9), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (n = 6), or intravascular ultrasound (n = 1). The diagnosis of IMH was established by exclusion. The descending thoracic aorta was involved in 10 cases and the ascending/arch in 3. Conservative medical management was attempted initially. All 3 patients with IMH involving the ascending aorta ultimately required operative intervention, and 2 individuals died; 2 of 10 patients with descending aortic involvement eventually underwent surgery. Average hospital stay was 11 days; the mean follow-up interval for discharged patients was 29 months. CONCLUSIONS: IMH is a distinct pathological entity, should not be confused with aortic dissection, and probably will be identified more frequently in the future. All patients with IMH should be monitored carefully and treated with aggressive antihypertensive therapy. Frequent serial assessment is necessary using TEE or MRI/CT scans. Based on this small experience, patients with ascending/arch IMH, ongoing pain, or IMH expansion should probably undergo early graft replacement. Patients with IMH involving the descending thoracic aorta who have no evidence of progression and become pain free can probably be treated conservatively but require antihypertensive therapy and serial aortic imaging surveillance indefinitely.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Heparinization of biological vascular graft reduces fibrin deposition.

An alternative graft is needed for coronary bypass operations in patients lacking suitable autologous vessels. We therefore studied Denaflex, a biologic graft, in a dog ex-vivo shunt model to determine whether heparin treatment makes this graft less thrombogenic. Comparison was also made to Bioflow, a nonheparinized biologic graft. Fibrinogen deposition during high flow (593 +/- 202 ml/min) decreased from 672 +/- 467 ng/mm2 in nonheparinized Denaflex grafts to 448 +/- 298 ng/mm2 (p < 0.05) in heparinized Denaflex grafts. At low flow (117 +/- 13 ml/min), heparinization of Denaflex grafts similarly decreased fibrinogen deposition from 1102 +/- 601 ng/mm2 to 703 +/- 405 ng/mm2 (p < 0.05). At both flow rates fibrinogen deposition in Bioflow grafts was less than in nonheparinized Denaflex, but was similar to heparinized Denaflex grafts. Platelet deposition was not influenced by heparinization of Denaflex grafts and was similar among Denaflex and Bioflow preparations. Whether Denaflex performs acceptably in vivo as a xenograft requires extensive study.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Validity of cardiac output measurement by the thermodilution method in the presence of acute tricuspid regurgitation.

Evaluation of patients with acute tricuspid insufficiency may include assessment of cardiac output by the thermodilution method. The accuracy of estimates of thermodilution-derived cardiac output in the presence of tricuspid insufficiency has been questioned. This study was designed to determine the validity of the thermodilution technique in a canine model of acute reversible tricuspid insufficiency. Cardiac output as measured by thermodilution and electromagnetic flowmeter was compared at two grades of regurgitation. The relationship between these two methods (thermodilution/electromagnetic) changed significantly from a regression slope of 1.01 +/- 0.18 (mean +/- standard deviation) during control conditions to a slope of 0.86 +/- 0.23 (p < 0.02) during severe regurgitation. No significant change was observed between control and mild regurgitation or between the initial control value and a control measurement repeated after tricuspid insufficiency was reversed at the termination of the study. This study shows that in a canine model of severe acute tricuspid regurgitation the thermodilution method underestimates cardiac output by an amount that is proportional to the level of cardiac output and to the grade of regurgitation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Effects of storage solutions on contraction and relaxation of isolated saphenous veins.

Saphenous veins are placed frequently in storage solutions before use as coronary bypass grafts. Controversy remains regarding which solution is optimal for the preservation of endothelium and vascular smooth muscle viability. Thus, this study measured the effect of four different storage solutions on saphenous vein smooth muscle and endothelial cell function. Saphenous vein segments from five baboons were stored for 3 h in one of four storage solutions consisting of physiological salt solution (PSS), University of Wisconsin solution (UWS), normal saline solution (NSS), or autologous whole blood (WB). Following storage, veins were suspended for isometric tension recording in tissue baths filled with PSS. Veins stored in PSS, UWS, and NSS showed similar contractile amplitude and agonist sensitivity to norepinephrine (10(-8) -10(-4) M) and KCl (20-100 mM). However, veins stored in WB contracted 31% less to KCl on average than those stored in the other three solutions (p < 0.05). The direct vascular muscle vasodilator, papaverine (10(-7) -10(-4) M), and the endothelium-dependent dilator, A23187 (10(-5) M), relaxed all vein preparations equally well. These results suggest that after storage in PSS, UWS, and NSS, contractile and relaxant vascular responses are similar in isolated saphenous veins. However, although veins stored in WB show comparable relaxation responses, they demonstrate an impaired vascular contraction immediately after storage. We conclude that storage of veins in blood may immediately modify vascular smooth muscle function.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Optimal lead positioning for postoperative atrial pacing.

Temporary atrial pacing leads have uncontested utility for diagnosis and treatment of postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias. Sensing and capture thresholds may be inconsistent, however. We evaluated intraoperative atrial sensing amplitude and capture thresholds in 25 patients after coronary bypass using six bipolar and four unipolar lead combinations based on four lead positions: A, atrial appendage; B, 1 cm above the presumed sinoatrial node at the atrial-superior-vena caval junction; C, interatrial groove at the right superior pulmonary vein; and D, caudal inferolateral free wall. Unipolar lead B and bipolar lead B-D had the best voltage pacing threshold and system resistance (p less than 0.05). The lowest current was also observed with unipolar lead B and bipolar lead B-D, but the difference was not significant (p greater than 0.05). P-wave amplitude was not significantly different for any lead combination. Location C, in unipolar or bipolar combinations, frequently paced the phrenic nerve. These data provide new guidelines for establishment of postoperative temporary atrial pacing leads.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1992

The effect of ambient temperature on papaverine-induced relaxations in canine saphenous veins.

This study was designed to measure the effect of ambient temperature (25 degrees C) on papaverine-induced relaxations in canine saphenous veins. Segments of vein were suspended in water-jacketed tissue baths at 37 degrees C, and isometric tension was recorded. After equilibration, veins were preconstricted by a median effective dose of norepinephrine 2 x 10(-6) mol/L at either 25 degrees C or 37 degrees C. Consequent dose-dependent relaxations showed that papaverine (10(-7) to 10(-3) mol/L was three times more potent as a dilator at 37 degrees C than at 25 degrees C, with half-maximal relaxations occurring at 2.2 x 10(-5) mol/L and 6.4 x 10(-5) mol/L, respectively. A 10(-4) mol/L dose of papaverine completely relaxed veins at 37 degrees C, whereas veins at 25 degrees C never fully relaxed even at ten times the standard concentration. In addition, the time for half-maximal relaxation with a 10(-4) mol/L dose of papaverine averaged 40 minutes at 25 degrees C compared with 22 minutes at 37 degrees C; this is indicative of a reduced relaxation rate at the lower temperature. These data show that papaverine is a slower and less potent dilator of canine saphenous veins at 25 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. This may have implications for the use of papaverine in the operating room, where it is usually applied at ambient temperature to reduce vasospasm of the saphenous vein during coronary artery bypass procedures.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Calcium content of St. Thomas' II cardioplegic solution damages ischemic immature myocardium.

Clinical application of hypothermic pharmacologic cardioplegia in pediatric cardiac surgery is less than satisfactory, despite its well known benefits in adults. Protection of the ischemic immature rabbit heart with hypothermia alone is better than with hypothermic St. Thomas' II cardioplegic solution. Control of cellular calcium is a critical component of cardioplegic protection. We determined whether the existing calcium content of St. Thomas' II solution (1.2 mmol/L) is responsible for suboptimal protection of the ischemic immature rabbit heart. Modified hypothermic St. Thomas' II solutions (calcium content, 0 to 2.4 mmol/L) were compared with hypothermic Krebs bicarbonate buffer in protecting ischemic immature (7- to 10-day-old) hearts. Hearts (n = 6 per group) underwent aerobic "working" perfusion with Krebs buffer, and cardiac function was measured. The hearts were then arrested with a 3-minute infusion of either cold (14 degrees C) Krebs buffer (1.8 mmol calcium/L) as hypothermia alone or cold St. Thomas' II solution before 6 hours of hypothermic (14 degrees C) global ischemia. Hearts were reperfused, and postischemic enzyme leakage and recovery of function were measured. A bell-shaped dose-response profile for calcium was observed for recovery of aortic flow but not for creatine kinase leakage, with improved protection at lower calcium concentrations. Optimal myocardial protection occurred at a calcium content of 0.3 mmol/L, which was better than with hypothermia alone and standard St. Thomas' II solution. We conclude that the existing calcium content of St. Thomas' II solution is responsible, in part, for its damaging effect on the ischemic immature rabbit heart.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Acute, reversible tricuspid insufficiency: creation in canine model.

Relatively few methods have been described for the creation of valvular insufficiency in an animal model. Those presented involve limitations such as permanent destruction of the valves or lack of control over the degree of regurgitation produced. We describe a method of acute reversible tricuspid insufficiency that can be easily created and controlled in anesthetized dogs. The model employs a wire spiral that is advanced through the atrioventricular canal from the right atrium. The spiral causes regurgitation by preventing complete apposition of the valve leaflets while permitting retrograde flow to occur through the spiral lumen. The degree of regurgitation can be controlled by the use of spirals of different sizes. Creation of tricuspid insufficiency is demonstrated by the onset of right atrial pressure V waves, a "ballooning" of the right atrium during ventricular systole, palpation of an atrial thrill, or by color Doppler echocardiography. In 14 dogs, right atrial pressure increased from a control value of 9 +/- 3 (mean +/- SD) mmHg to 10 +/- 3 and 12 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively, with spirals of 1.5 and 2.2 cm in diameter (both P less than 0.05). With the 2.2-cm spiral, aortic blood pressure decreased from a control value of 104 +/- 20 to 83 +/- 17 mmHg (P less than 0.05), and cardiac output decreased from 73 +/- 26 to 59 +/- 19 ml.min-1.kg-1 (P less than 0.05). This model is reversible, allows repeated trials of various grades of regurgitation, does not require ventriculotomy, and is relatively nonarrhythmogenic.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Atherogenic effect of barotrauma on in situ saphenous veins in monkeys.

The objectives of this study were to determine whether veins subjected to barotrauma in situ undergo lipid uptake and morphologic changes to the same extent as veins grafted into the arterial circulation. Saphenous veins in seven stump-tailed macaque monkeys were exposed bilaterally and were circumferentially dissected free from surrounding tissue only at isolated sites. Segments of the veins were distended for 1 minute at hydrostatic pressures of 125 or 350 mm Hg. An undistended segment served as control. A cephalic vein graft was interposed in the femoral artery for comparison with in situ veins. The animals were fed a diet that sustains plasma cholesterol levels of approximately 225 mg/dl. Saphenous veins and the cephalic vein grafts were explanted at 3 months for biochemical and histologic analyses. Cholesterol content in undistended saphenous veins was similar to that in veins distended at 125 or 350 mm Hg--105 +/- 15, 122 +/- 14, and 109 +/- 30 micrograms/100 mg wet tissue weight, respectively. Cholesterol content in cephalic vein grafts, 473 +/- 122 micrograms/100 mg, was greater (p less than 0.001) than in saphenous veins at all distention pressures studied. There was no difference among the distention pressures in the intimal fraction of saphenous vein wall, with the pooled value being 20% +/- 12%. This contrasted with the value of 59% +/- 11% in cephalic vein grafts (p less than 0.01). Endothelial coverage of the luminal surface in saphenous veins was similar among the levels of barotrauma, with the pooled value being 83% +/- 15%. Less of the lumen was covered with endothelium in cephalic vein grafts, 46% +/- 18% (p less than 0.01). Slightly more medial fibrosis was observed in cephalic vein grafts as compared with saphenous veins (p less than 0.05). These data demonstrate that barotrauma alone does not cause veins that remain in the venous system to undergo the lipid uptake or morphologic changes that occur in veins grafted into the arterial circulation in nonhuman primates.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Computed tomography in the evaluation of the aorta in patients sustaining blunt chest trauma.

Computed tomography is used with increasing frequency to evaluate blunt chest trauma. Since traumatic aortic rupture (TAR) is a rapidly lethal condition, unnecessary CT scanning may not be justified. To determine the accuracy of chest CT scanning for TAR, we reviewed 17 patients who underwent both chest CT scanning and aortography. Five patients had TAR by aortography. CT scanning yielded three true positives and two false negatives. In 12 patients with a negative aortogram, CT scanning recorded four false positives and eight true negatives. The specificity was 23% and the sensitivity was 83% compared with aortography. The overall accuracy for CT scanning was 53%. From these data we conclude that in the presence of an unstable patient or where there is a strong clinical suspicion of TAR the patient should proceed directly to aortography.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Cardioplegia-induced damage to ischemic immature myocardium is independent of oxygen availability.

The known benefits of hypothermic pharmacological cardioplegia in protecting the ischemic adult heart may not extend to children. Protection of the ischemic immature rabbit heart with hypothermic Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer is better than with hypothermic St. Thomas' II cardioplegic solution. We investigated whether the availability of oxygen in the preischemic perfusate is responsible for the increased tolerance to ischemia of immature (7- to 10-day-old) hearts perfused with Krebs buffer in comparison with St. Thomas' II solution immediately before ischemia. After obtaining preischemic control data in the "working" mode, we perfused hearts (n = 8 per group) for 3 minutes with hypothermic (14 degrees C) Krebs buffer or hypothermic St. Thomas' II solution saturated with 0%, 25%, or 95% oxygen. This was followed by 2 hours of global ischemia at 14 degrees C. Hearts were reperfused for 15 minutes in the Langendorff mode and 35 minutes in the working mode, and recovery of function was measured. For preischemic oxygen concentrations of 0%, 25%, and 95%, recovery of aortic flow in hearts protected by hypothermia alone during ischemia was 74% +/- 9%, 82% +/- 4%, and 99% +/- 2% of preischemic values, respectively. In hearts protected by hypothermia plus cardioplegia, the values were 69% +/- 6%, 72% +/- 3%, and 86% +/- 5%, respectively. Thus, at equal oxygen concentrations, recovery of postischemic function was better in hearts protected by hypothermia alone compared with hypothermia plus cardioplegia. We conclude that factors other than oxygen availability are responsible for the damaging effect of St. Thomas' II solution on the ischemic immature rabbit heart.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure is not accurate immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), differential cardiac dynamics, and increased lung water following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have been proposed as limitations to the accuracy of the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) in estimating left ventricular preload. A prospective study of 22 patients undergoing elective myocardial revascularization is described wherein PAOP was compared with directly measured left atrial pressure (LAP). The reliability of PAOP to estimate LAP in the hour immediately following CPB and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 hours post-CPB was examined with repeated measures analysis of variance. Relationships between the PAOP-LAP difference and PVR, core temperature, arterial CO2 tension, and right and left ventricular stroke work indices (RVSWI, LVSWI) were tested by linear regression analysis. There was greater variability in measurements at 15, 30, and 45 minutes immediately after CPB, demonstrated by a pooled correlation coefficient of 0.73 versus 0.90 in the postoperative period. The degree of discrepancy between PAOP and LAP lessened with time. There was no determinable relationship of the PAOP-LAP gradient to PVR, level of PCO2, temperature, RVSWI, or LVSWI. Potential sources of discrepancy include airway pressure effects, position of the measuring catheters, positive end-expiratory pressure, infusion of protamine sulfate, extremes of pulmonary artery pressures, and effects of an open pericardium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Histologic, morphometric, and biochemical evolution of vein bypass grafts in a nonhuman primate model. II. Modification of early changes by platelet inhibition with aspirin and dipyridamole.

The objective of this study was to determine the early influence of platelet inhibition on the histologic, morphometric, and biochemical evolution of vein bypass grafts in a nonhuman primate model. Cephalic vein grafts were interposed bilaterally in the femoral arteries of 15 stump-tailed macaque monkeys fed a diet that sustains plasma cholesterol levels of approximately 225 mg/dl. All animals received in combination aspirin, 80 mg/day, and dipyridamole, 50 mg/day. Grafts were excised from five animals for analysis on each of postoperative days 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90. In animals subjected to platelet inhibition, cholesterol content in the graft was 170 +/- 52 micrograms/100 mg at 90 days, 205% of the level in ungrafted vein (p less than 0.01). This change was small in comparison with the increase to 686% of ungrafted vein observed in our study of control animals. In stepwise regression analysis, cholesterol content of grafts was best predicted by prevalence of foam cells (r2 = 0.82), and the proportion of intima as a fraction of total wall area was best predicted by the presence of macrophages (r2 = 0.69). Platelet inhibition did not decrease the extent of intimal hyperplasia. The prevalence of adherent platelets (r = -0.72) and the amount of fibrin (r = -0.78) correlated inversely with the amount of endothelium present during the first 14 days. The strength of these correlations declined with time, despite persistent lack of endothelium in some areas. Medial fibrosis occurred to the same extent as in control grafts, as did the early appearance of platelet factor VIII and fibronectin and the lack of vasa vasorum at 3 days followed by reappearance at 7 days. These data demonstrate that platelet inhibition dramatically reduces lipid uptake by grafts in the first 90 days but has less influence over histologic or morphometric changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Histologic, morphometric, and biochemical evolution of vein bypass grafts in a nonhuman primate model. I. Sequential changes within the first three months.

The objective of this study was to define the histologic and morphometric evolution that accompanies the increase in cholesterol content of vein bypass grafts in a nonhuman primate model. Cephalic vein grafts were interposed bilaterally in the femoral arteries of 15 stump-tailed macaque monkeys (Macaca arctoides), which were fed a diet that sustains plasma cholesterol levels of approximately 225 mg/dl. Grafts were excised from five animals for analysis on each of postoperative days 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90. Cholesterol content increased from 69 +/- 24 micrograms/100 mg (mean +/- standard deviation) in ungrafted vein to 473 +/- 122 micrograms/100 mg in grafts 90 days after implantation (p less than 0.05). By stepwise regression analysis, cholesterol content was best predicted by abundance of foam cells (r2 = 0.82). Intima comprised 13% +/- 5% of the total cross-sectional area of the wall in ungrafted vein and 59% +/- 11% at day 90 (p less than 0.001). With cholesterol content excluded from the stepwise regression, intimal area was best predicted by the presence of foam cells (r2 = 0.39). There was consistently an increase in the prevalence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes on the luminal surface and in both the intima and media during the first 14 days after grafting. Vasa vasorum, which were always present in ungrafted vein, were sparse at 3 days but reappeared by day 7. Medial fibrosis occurred in grafts, and in the 30- to 90-day interval it was directly correlated with the number of adventitial vasa vasorum present (r = 0.64, p less than 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed prominent staining for both platelet factor VIII and fibronectin during the first month, with a gradual decline in staining intensity thereafter. The evolution of changes in vein bypass grafts documented in this report are in general agreement with graft changes observed in humans and support the validity of our model in evaluating the histologic correlates of increased graft cholesterol content.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Is protection of ischemic neonatal myocardium by cardioplegia species dependent?

Hypothermia combined with pharmacologic cardioplegia protects the globally ischemic adult heart, but this benefit may not extend to children, resulting in poor postischemic recovery of function and increased mortality. The relative susceptibilities to ischemia modified by hypothermia alone and by hypothermia plus cardioplegia were assessed in isolated perfused neonatal (3- to 4-day-old) rabbit and pig hearts. Hearts were perfused aerobically with Krebs buffer solution in the working mode for 30 minutes and aortic flow was recorded. This was followed by 3 minutes of hypothermic (14 degrees C) coronary perfusion with either Krebs or St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution No. 2 followed by hypothermic (14 degrees C) global ischemia (rabbits 2, 4, and 6 hours; pigs 2 and 4 hours). Hearts were reperfused for 15 minutes in the Langendorff mode and 30 minutes in the working mode, and recovery of postischemic aortic flow was measured. Hypothermia alone provided excellent protection of the ischemic neonatal rabbit heart, with recovery of aortic flow after 2 and 4 hours of ischemia at 91% +/- 4% and 87% +/- 5% (mean +/- standard deviation) of its preischemic value. Recovery after 6 hours of ischemia was depressed to 58% +/- 9% of its preischemic value. Ischemic neonatal pig hearts protected with hypothermia alone recovered 94% +/- 3% of preischemic aortic flow after 2 hours; none was able to generate flow after 4 hours. St. Thomas' Hospital solution No. 2 decreased postischemic aortic flow after 4 hours of ischemia in rabbit hearts from 87% +/- 5% to 70% +/- 7% (p less than 0.05, hypothermia alone versus hypothermia plus cardioplegia) but improved postischemic recovery of aortic flow in pig hearts after 4 hours of ischemia from 0 to 73% +/- 13% (p less than 0.0001, hypothermia alone versus hypothermia plus cardioplegia). This effect was dose related in both species. We conclude that the neonatal pig heart is more susceptible to ischemia modified by hypothermia alone than the neonatal rabbit and that St. Thomas' Hospital solution No. 2 improves postischemic recovery of function in the neonatal pig but decreases it in the neonatal rabbit. This species-dependent protection of the neonatal heart may be related to differences in the extent of myocardial maturity at the time of study.

Animals↗