N. Fukushima et al., STUDY OF EFFICACIES OF LEUKOCYTE-DEPLETED TERMINAL BLOOD CARDIOPLEGIAIN 24-HOUR PRESERVED HEARTS, The Annals of thoracic surgery, 58(6), 1994, pp. 1651-1656
To evaluate the effect of leukocyte-depleted terminal blood cardiopleg
ia on prolonged preservation, 41 canine hearts were stored in modified
Collins' solution and transplanted heterotopically. Hearts were trans
planted soon after harvesting in group 1 and after 24-hour preservatio
n in groups 2, 3, and 4. Blood cardioplegia was applied just before ao
rtic unclamping in groups 3 and 4; group 3 received simple blood cardi
oplegia and group 4 received leukocyte-depleted cardioplegia. The perc
entage of the preload recruitable stroke work and diastolic compliance
after transplantation compared with the preharvesting value in group
4 did not differ from those in group 1, but the percentage of the prel
oad recruitable stroke work in groups 2 and 3 was significantly lower
than that in groups 1 and 4. The percentage of diastolic compliance in
groups 2 and 3 was significantly higher than that in groups 1 and 4.
Coronary blood now 40 minutes after aortic unclamping in group 4 did n
ot differ from that in group 1, but was significantly higher than the
blood flows in groups 2 and 3. Significant production of malondialdehy
de was detected during terminal blood cardioplegia and 10 minutes afte
r aortic unclamping in groups 2 and 3, but never in groups 1 and 4. Af
ter leukocyte-depleted terminal cardioplegia, the myocardial adenosine
triphosphate content increased to the preharvesting value in group 4.
Our results suggest that leukocyte-depleted terminal blood cardiopleg
ia may be effective in replenishing the energy-depleted myocardium and
reducing reperfusion injury, resulting in adequate cardiac function.