Abstract
It is known that coronary venous retroperfusion restores the blood flow to the ischemic
myocardium, resulting in reduction of infarct size and improvement in left-ventricular
pump function. In this study, we used an animal model to investigate the effects of
a simplified coronary venous retroperfusion system on myocardial hemodynamics. Twenty
dogs were entered in this study. All dogs underwent fifteen minutes occlusion of the
left anterior descending artery. For the rest of the experiment the dogs were randomized
into two groups: the control group (n = 10) underwent a further 2 hours left anterior
descending artery occlusion, then clamps were released and the animals were observed
for 6 hours. In the retroperfusion group (n =10) a simple aortocoronary sinus connection
was made and retrograde perfusion achieved with an outflow of 43 ± 6 ml/min. Retrograde
coronary sinus perfusion was maintained for three hours and then the dogs were observed
for six hours. Tissue adenosine triphosphate levels were 6 ± 3μmol/g in the control
group and 12 ± 2μmol/g in the retroperfusion group (p < 0.05) 6 hours after reperfusion.
Creatine Phosphokinase levels were 99 ± 11 U/L in the control group and 42 ± 8 IU/L
in the retroperfusion group 6 hours after reperfusion (p < 0.05). Cardiac index was
63 ± 4 ml/kg/min in the control group and 79 ± 2 ml/kg/min in the retroperfusion group
6 hours after retroperfusion (p < 0.05). Left-ventricular stroke-work index at a pulmonary
capillary artery wedge pressure of 20 mmHg was 0.54 ± 0.06 g · m/kg in the retroperfusion
group and 0.29 ± 0.03 g · m/kg in the control group 6 hours after reperfusion (p <
0.05). It is concluded that myocardial hemodynamic and biochemical function can be
preserved by simplified coronary sinus retroperfusion.
Key words
Ischemia - Heart - Retroperfusion - Dog model
