REPERFUSION ARRHYTHMIA AFTER REGIONAL OR GLOBAL-ISCHEMIA IN THE DOG -IMPROVED RESULTS BY THE USE OF RADIX GINSENG

Comparisons between reperfusion injuries after regional and global isc haemia remain uncertain. We have studied the efficacy of Radix ginseng against reperfusion injury after either experimental regional or glob al ischaemia. 20 mongrel dogs were divided equally into two groups for the regional and global ischaemia models (Groups 1 and 2), and furthe r into four subgroups: two control (1A and 2A), and two experimental ( 1B and 2B). Animals received a 45-min ischaemic interval before reperf usion, by coronary ligation in the regional model, and under normother mic cardiopulmonary bypass in the global model. In the experimental su bgroups, Injectio Radix-Ginseng Compositae was given continuously by a roller pump for 1 h. New arrhythmias and ST-T changes were assessed. Two cases of idioventricular rhythm and/or ventricular tachycardia occ urred and two of the animals died, one each in Subgroups 1A and 1B. On ly one case of frequent ventricular premature beat occurred in Subgrou p 2A, and one junctional autonomous cardiac rhythm in Subgroup 2B. We conclude that Radix ginseng seems to have a preservation effect on rep erfusion injury. Myocardial damage seemed to be further ameliorated in the global ischaemia model in the present study.