Reanimation of the heart after death

Background, The purpose of this study was to determine if hearts could be s uccessfully reanimated after death in an extra corporeal circuit. Methods. Reanimation of pig and dog heart was accomplished in an extra corp oreal circuit after death by lethal injection of Pentothal (euthanasia), A total of 42 experiments were performed, Results. The most successful combination included enhancement of the cardio plegic and reperfusion solutions with amino acids, calcium and magnesium io ns, and using the animals own drug free blood in the reperfusion solution. Successful resuscitation of the heart was accomplished after ischemic cold storage as long as 9 hours after death, A beating heart was sustained by th e extra corporeal circuit for over 10 hours (635 minutes). Conclusions. In summary, successfully reanimation of the heart in an extra corporeal circuit is possible when cold cardioplegic solution is administer ed 10-35 minutes after death by lethal injection of Pentothal.