title: A potential role for nitric oxide in myocardial stunning.
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) production by the human heart has been demonstrated in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Similar to what has been described in other species, a basal production of NO by the human heart is seen (126 +/- 42 pmol/min per gram). Following reperfusion, at the end of the procedure, the level of NO production increases significantly reaching concentrations of 1430 +/- 330 pmol/min per gram. Increased activity for the enzyme NO synthase (NOS) (8.0 +/- 1.2 pmol/mg prebypass vs 26.4 +/- 4.8 pmol/mg postbypass) coincides with changes in NO production and occurs at a time when myocardial stunning is clinically detectable. The significance of these findings is discussed and suggest a role for NO in the pathophysiology of myocardial stunning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA 15213-2582.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Hattler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gorcsan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Oddis
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Billiar
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Finkel
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017682:Myocardial Stunning / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases