MYOCARDIAL CYTOSOLIC CALCIUM ACCUMULATION DURING ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION- THE EFFECTS OF AGING AND CARDIOPLEGIA

Cytosolic calcium in the myocardium is rapidly accumulated during isch emia and has been correlated with the attenuation of functional recove ry in the myocardium. The aged myocardium is more sensitive to ischemi a and accumulates significantly more cytosolic calcium than either the newborn or the mature myocardium. Modification of the age-related pro pensity to increased cytosolic calcium accumulation may be achieved th rough the use of magnesium or potassium/magnesium cardioplegia. Improv ed postischemic ventricular function obtained with magnesium or potass ium/magnesium cardioplegia may have important implications in the redu ction of myocardial morbidity and mortality.