BACKGROUND Optimal parameters for machine perfusion preservation of hearts prior to transplantation have not been determined. We sought to define regional myocardial perfusion characteristics of a machine perfusion device over a range of conditions in a large animal model. METHODS Dog hearts were connected to a perfusion device (LifeCradle, Organ Transport Systems, Inc, Frisco, TX) and cold p...

Introduction Heart transplantation is limited by the relatively brief ischemic tolerance of preserved myocardium that restricts optimal organ allocation. Experimental data suggest machine perfusion preservation of hearts for transplantation may be an effective strategy to extend the donor ischemic interval and utilize extended donor organs [1]. We have previously demonstrated that machine perfu...

BACKGROUND Optimal myocardial protection for donated hearts is crucial to improve outcomes of heart transplantation and reduce morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of myocardial protection using single dose of Bretschneider's histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and repeated doses of cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) in donor heart preservation. METHODS S...

RATIONALE Timely restoration of coronary blood flow is the only way to salvage myocardium from infarction, but reperfusion per se brings on additional injury. Such reperfusion injury and the resulting size of myocardial infarction is attenuated by ischemic postconditioning, ie, the repeated brief interruption of coronary blood flow during early reperfusion. The signal transduction of ischemic p...

To determine whether adding blood to a cardioplegic solution affects myocardial preservation, a randomized prospective study was carried out in 60 patients undergoing coronary revascularization to compare the effects of crystalloid potassium cardioplegics (group C) and potassium cardioplegic solutions to which blood has been added (group B) on markers of myocardial metabolism (lactate, inorgani...