Evaluation of cardioprotective effects of recombinant soluble P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-immunoglobulin in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES The purpose was to examine the cardioprotective effects of recombinant P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-immunoglobulin (rPSGL-Ig) in ischemia-reperfusion injury by real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). BACKGROUND P-selectin mediates leukocyte recruitment into areas of inflammation. METHODS Sixteen pigs underwent 45 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion and received rPSGL-Ig or vehicle. To assess changes in myocardial perfusion (A x beta), MCE was performed. RESULTS After 120 min of reperfusion, A x beta in the risk area was higher (0.84 +/- 0.15 dB/s vs. 0.28 +/- 0.1 dB/s, p < 0.0001), and the infarct size was lower (30.3 +/- 12% vs. 57 +/- 14%, p = 0.002) in the rPSGL-Ig group compared with the vehicle group. CONCLUSIONS Recombinant PSGL-Ig improved postischemic reflow accurately detected by real-time MCE.