Reanimation of the heart after death.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine if hearts could be successfully reanimated after death in an extra corporeal circuit.


METHODS
Reanimation of pig and dog heart was accomplished in an extra corporeal 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 cardioplegic and reperfusion solutions with amino acids, calcium and magnesium ions, 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 the 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 administered 10-35 minutes after death by lethal injection of Pentothal.
Wang
N D
ND
Grigg Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Doty
D B
DB
D000818:Animals; D002314:Cardioplegic Solutions; D003643:Death; D004285:Dogs; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D012151:Resuscitation; D013552:Swine
D002314:Cardioplegic Solutions