Optimal continuous retrograde coronary perfusion flow rate with beating heart in normal temperature.
OBJECTIVE
We were led to the premise that with retrograde oxygenated blood perfusion, it would be possible to perform operations on the beating heart.


METHODS
The experiment consisted of two stages: procedure 1 and 2. In procedure 1, six pigs were used. Retrograde perfusion flow was controlled to be in the range of 5.0-10.0 mL/kg/min and was gradually increased. In procedure 2, six pigs were used. Retrograde perfusion was continued for 120 min at the optimal flow rate obtained from procedure 1.


RESULTS
The optimal flow rate was 7.0 mL/kg/min in procedure 1. In procedure 2, retrograde perfusions for 120 min were performed with perfusion flows set at optimal flow rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The procedure used in this study made it possible to maintain empty beating heart with normal sinus rhythm for 120 min, and the results suggest the possibility of clinical application to open heart surgery.
Tsukioka
Toshihide
T
Department of General and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan. tsukky@d8.dion.ne.jp
Tomita
Sigeyuki
S
Watanabe
Go
G
Takemura
Hirohumi
H
D000818:Animals; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000379:methods*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods; D023421:Models, Animal; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine