Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012; 60 - V24
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1297414

Calafiore blood cardioplegia: Difference between warm and cold application

M Kopplin 1, B Niemann 1, P Roth 1, M Heep 1, KD Schlüter 2, A Böning 1
  • 1Universitätsklinikum Gießen, Herz-, Kinderherz- und Gefäßchirurgie, Gießen, Germany
  • 2Institut für Physiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Germany

Objective: We compared the hemodynamic performance of young rat hearts after application of blood cardioplegia (BCP) in two different temperatures to evaluate differences regarding postischemic myocardial function.

Methods: The hearts of 16 young (3–4 months) male Wistar rats were excised and inserted into a blood perfused isolated heart apparatus. After a stabilization period of 30min, in each 8 young hearts, either cold (4°C) or warm (36°C) Calafiore BCP was administered antegradely and repeated every 20min until an aortic clamping time of 90min was reached. During reperfusion, functional parameters were recorded: coronary blood flow, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), and dp/dt. The values were expressed as baseline ratio and analyzed using All Pairwise Multiple Comparison Procedures.

Results: Recovery of cardiac function after BCP application during aortic clamping is better preserved with warm than with cold Calafiore BCP: LVDP (warm 62% BL, cold 46% BL) and dpdt max (warm 82% BL, cold 69% BL) show better recovery 90min. after warm than after cold Calafiore BCP. However, coronary flow recovers better (warm 66% BL, cold 75% BL) after cold than after warm BCP.

Conclusion: In rat hearts, recovery of cardiac function after aortic clamping is better preserved with warm than with cold BCP. In contrast, coronary flow is better preserved after cold than after warm BCP.