Beneficial effects of fluosol-polyethylene glycol cardioplegia on cold, preserved rabbit heart.

Abstract

Because of its high oxygen-carrying capacity, especially at low temperatures, fluosol may enhance heart preservation. Hearts of male New Zealand white rabbits (1.5-2.0 kg) were excised and flushed through the aorta with 0 degree C St. Thomas' Hospital solution, fluosol, or polyethylene glycol or fluosol-polyethylene glycol cardioplegic solution. Hearts were then stored for 12 hours at 0 degree C and reperfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 36.5 degrees C for 60 minutes using a Langendorff system. Myocardial contractile function was significantly greater in the fluosol-polyethylene glycol cardioplegia-preserved group (p < 0.01) and polyethylene glycol-cardioplegia preserved group (p < 0.05) than in the St. Thomas' Hospital solution-preserved group. The myocardial high-energy phosphate content was significantly higher in the fluosol-polyethylene glycol-cardioplegia-preserved group (p < 0.01), with reduced release of lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.01) in comparison with the St. Thomas' Hospital solution-preserved group. The addition of fluosol and polyethylene glycol to the cardioplegic solution may enhance long-term cold heart preservation.