title: Oxygen-derived free radical scavengers for amelioration of reperfusion damage in heart transplantation.
abstract: In this study we tried to define the possible benefits of the oxygen-derived free radical scavengers after 3 hours of cold myocardial global ischemia, as required in the setting of cardiac transplantation. Twenty-one pig hearts were harvested after preservation with a cold cardioplegic solution (St. Thomas' Hospital solution) and topical cooling. Normothermic reperfusion with blood was achieved with a special heart-lung machine preparation, which allows the heart to beat in a working or nonworking mode. Twelve hearts served as control hearts (group I), and nine (group II) were subjected to superoxide dismutase and catalase. Superoxide dismutase was applied at a dose of 40 U/ml of cardioplegic solution and 1500 U/kg body weight with the start of reperfusion. Catalase was added to the cardioplegic solution in a dose of 100 U/kg and 3500 U/kg body weight with the start of reperfusion. After 15 minutes of retrograde reperfusion, both left ventricular developed pressure and its first derivative were significantly higher in group II (137 +/- 7.6 mm Hg, 2467 +/- 162 mm Hg/sec) than in group I (105 +/- 6 mm Hg, 1676 +/- 231 mm Hg/sec, p less than 0.05 for each). In addition, a considerably higher coronary blood flow was observed in group II throughout the 180-minute period of reperfusion (p = 0.047). We therefore conclude that the combined administration of superoxide dismutase and catalase during the initial period of cardioplegic arrest and during early reperfusion of donor hearts submitted to 3 hours of cold ischemia has a beneficial effect on myocardial performance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jurmann
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schaefers
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dammenhayn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haverich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D002374:Catalase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D005609:Free Radicals; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D008274:Magnesium; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010477:Perfusion; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D005609:Free Radicals; C041711:St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D008274:Magnesium; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D010100:Oxygen