An intraaortic solution trial to prevent spinal cord injury in a rabbit model.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the effectiveness of an intraaortic delivered solution on preventing spinal cord injury.


METHODS
forty rabbits were allocated into five equal groups.


METHODS
one clamp was placed just distal to the left renal artery, and another was placed just above the iliac bifurcation for 40 min. Group 1 was not infused (control group). Through a 24G vascular catheter inserted into the isolated aortic segment, 20 ml of LR solution at room temperature (Group 2) 20 ml of LR solution at 3 degrees C (Group 3), and 20 ml of LR solution at 3 degrees C containing 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone (Group 4) were infused over 3 min. In Group 5, 10 mg/kg of vitamins E and C were delivered two days before the experiment, and 20 ml of LR solution at 3 degrees C containing 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone, and 10 mg/kg of vitamins E and C was infused at the operation. Postoperative spinal cord function was assessed using Tarlov's criteria.


RESULTS
the neurologic status of Groups 3, 4, and 5 was significantly superior to that of Groups 1 and 2. No paraplegia was observed in Groups 4 and 5. Spastic paraplegia occurred in all rabbits of Groups 1 and 2, and in 20% of Group 3. In the electron microscopic evaluation of spinal cord specimens, normal histologic structure was observed in Groups 4 and 5, whereas, some derangements were observed in all others.


CONCLUSIONS
intraaortic infusion of a hypothermic blended solution containing methylprednisolone, vitamins C and E provided best protection against postischaemic spinal cord dysfunction.
Tetik O
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Atatürk Medical Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
Islamoglu
F
F
Yagdi
T
T
Atay
Y
Y
Calkavur
T
T
Ozbek
C
C
Canpolat
L
L
Büket
S
S
Vüksel
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D008775:Methylprednisolone