PROTECTION FROM REPERFUSION-INDUCED ARRHYTHMIAS BY POLYETHYLENE-GLYCOL-600

The effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 600 on cardiovascular paramet ers and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias were investigated using a 5-mi n period of ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery f ollowed by reperfusion in an anaesthetized open-chest rat model. PEG 6 00 was effective in reducing reperfusion arrhythmias, such as ventricu lar fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Mortality was decreased from 29.4% (5/17) in the saline-control to 0% (0/14) in the PEG-treate d group (P<0.05). Biochemical investigations during the ischaemia/repe rfusion period revealed that PEG infusion resulted in a reduction of c ardiac lactate as well as a striking maintenance of the glutathione co ntent of the heart.