Hyperkalemic Reperfusion Research Articles

Controlled hyperkalemic reperfusion with magnesium rescues ischemic juvenile hearts by reducing calcium loading

Our objectives were (1) to determine whether elevated Mg(2+) in controlled hyperkalemic reperfusate without intervention during ischemia protects the juvenile heart against reperfusion injury; and (2) to identify the mechanism(s) underlying any protective effect of Mg(2+). Langendorff-perfused hearts from juvenile (11- to 14-day-old) guinea pigs were subjected to mild(30-minute) or severe (45-minute) normothermic global ischemia and 35-minute reperfusion. Hearts were subjected to controlled hyperkalemic reperfusion without or with various concentrations of Mg(2+) (5, 10, 16, 23 mM). The mechanisms underlying the effect of Mg(2+) on intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) were also studied in isolated cardiomyocytes exposed to metabolic inhibition followed by washout using hyperkalemic solutions (reperfusion). Sixteen mM Mg(2+) conferred maximal cardioprotection as assessed by improved functional recovery and reduced cardiac injury; this was associated with a significant recovery of cardiac energetics and metabolism following both mild and severe ischemia. The Mg(2+)-induced protection was additive to that of hyperkalemia following mild ischemia and conferred protection following severe ischemia when hyperkalemia alone had no significant effect. Elevated Mg(2+) in the hyperkalemic reperfusate of cardiomyocytes acutely prevented [Ca(2+)]i loading following mild metabolic inhibition and augmented the fall in [Ca(2+)]i following severe metabolic inhibition. This work demonstrates for the first time in juvenile hearts that elevated Mg(2+) during controlled hyperkalemic reperfusion rescues the heart following ischemia, and that this is likely to be facilitated by reducing [Ca(2+)]i which, in turn, would aid metabolic recovery.

Efficacy of myocardial initial reperfusion with 2,3 butanedione monoxime after cardioplegic arrest is time-dependent.

In a previous study, initial reperfusion of isolated hearts after cardioplegic arrest with 2,3 butanedione monoxime (BDM) for 5 min was markedly superior to warm hyperkalemic reperfusion in improving the initial oxygen balance and reducing reperfusion arrhythmias. However, left ventricular contractility was only marginally enhanced. The goal of the present study was to test, wether the efficacy of BDM reperfusion can be enhanced by prolonging the application period. 32 Langendorff perfused guinea pig hearts were subjected to 50 min of cardioplegic arrest in St. Thomas Hospital II solution at 37 degrees C for 50 min. Control hearts (n = 8) were immediately reperfused with normal Krebs solution for 30 min. In BDM-5, BDM-20, and BDM-40 hearts (n = 8, each), a 5, 20, or 40 min period of initial BDM reperfusion preceded perfusion with normal Krebs. BDM markedly improved the O2 balance during initial reperfusion by reducing O2 demand by over 50% (p < 0.01) in all treatment groups while coronary flow was maintained. Reperfusion contracture, estimated by the end-diastolic balloon pressure was inhibited by more than 50% in BDM-20 and BDM-40 hearts. Recovery of left ventricular developed pressure, dP/dtmax, and -dP/dtmax was significantly enhanced throughout the reperfusion period only in the BDM-20 group (p < 0.05). Myocardial ultrastructure was best preserved in BDM-20 hearts. 20 min of initial BDM reperfusion were clearly superior to immediate Krebs reperfusion or a shorter (5 min) or longer (40 min) BDM treatment period in attenuating reperfusion damage. Thus, contraction uncoupling during initial reperfusion by BDM or similarly acting drugs may prove a viable technique to reduce myocardial reperfusion damage in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Improvement in functional recovery of the isolated guinea pig heart after hyperkalemic reperfusion with adenosine

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of initial hyperkalemic reperfusion (HKR), with and without added adenosine, on coronary flow, myocardial function, and endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent coronary vascular function. Cardioplegic arrest was induced in 40 isolated guinea pig hearts by infusing oxygenated cardioplegic (high in potassium ion) Krebs solution for 5 minutes. Hearts were then stored at room temperature for 3.5 hours. On reperfusion, hearts were divided into four groups of 10 hearts each: control, reperfusion with regular Krebs solution (4.6 mmol/L potassium chloride); base hyperkalemic reperfusion, initial reperfusion with 37º C oxygenated, cardioplegic Krebs solution for 5 minutes; hyperkalemic reperfusion with addition of 1 mmol/L adenosine during HKR; and hyperkalemic reperfusion with addition of 5 mmol/L adenosine. Coronary reserve (adenosine bolus 2 mmol/L) and responses to acetylcholine (1 μmol/L) and nitroprusside (100 μmol/L) were examined before and after ischemia and reperfusion. Flow did not return to preischemic values in any group after reperfusion. Adenosine treatment during initial reperfusion increased coronary flow (percentage of baseline ± standard error of the mean) from 57% ± 4% in control and 45% ± 3% in hearts with hyperkalemic reperfusion to 79% ± 3% and 83% ± 5% in hearts with hyperkalemic reperfusion also treated with, respectively, 1 mmol/L adenosine and 5 mmol/L adenosine ( p < 0.05). At 30 and 60 minutes of reperfusion, however, flow remained elevated only in the group treated with 5 mmol/L adenosine. Coronary reserve and responses to acetylcholine and nitroprusside were equivalently depressed in all groups after reperfusion. Recovery of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function was improved in all groups after hyperkalemic reperfusion (54% ± 4% of preischemic value) compared with control (39% ± 3%), and recovery was further enhanced in the group treated with 5 mmol/L adenosine (60% ± 4%). In this ex vivo model, hyperkalemic reperfusion improved myocardial function after cardioplegic arrest and the addition of 5 mmol/L adenosine improved coronary flow. Adenosine may counteract the potassium chloride–induced vasoconstriction that occurs during hyperkalemic reperfusion and may thus improve coronary flow and myocardial function. Postischemic depression of endothelium-dependent or endothelium-independent vascular functions, however, was not alleviated by hyperkalemic reperfusion with or without adenosine. (J T HORAC C ARDIOVASC S URG 1996;111:74-84)

Isotonic Versus Hypertonic Initial Hyperkalemic Reperfusion after Cardioplegic Arrest in Isolated Hearts

In 24 isolated perfused guinea-pig hearts, 40 min of hyperkalemic arrest and ischemia at 37 degrees C were followed by 5 min of either isotonic or hypertonic initial hyperkalemic reperfusion (HKR). Hearts were divided into 3 groups: HKR, 5 min initial reperfusion with isotonic hyperkalemic Krebs' solution; Mannitol, initial reperfusion with hypertonic (450 mosm für 1 min and 330 mosm for 4 more min) hyperkalemic Krebs' solution modified by addition of mannitol; NaCl, same as Mannitol group but using NaCl instead of mannitol to increase osmolarity. In isotonic HKR hearts, postischemic peak reflow was 98 +/- 11% of pre-ischemic control. Subsequently coronary flow stabilized at 75% of control. Left-ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) recovered to 60% of control. Hypertonic reperfusion increased peak reflow to 141 +/- 11% in the mannitol and to 121 +/- 12% in the NaCl groups, but had no effect on the subsequent reduction of coronary flow to 75% of control. Recovery of LVDP, dP/dtmax, dP/dtmin, the time constant of relaxation, and O2 consumption did not differ between groups. Postischemic flow responses to adenosine, acetylcholine, and nitroprusside were equivalently reduced in all groups. We conclude that the flow increase seen in the hypertonic reperfusion model of the study may be due to direct coronary vasodilation rather than the desired reduction of endothelial or perivascular cell edema by the hypertonic solutions.

The effects of regional hyperkalemic reperfusion on the recovery of contractile function after 15 minutes of coronary occlusion

The effects of regional hyperkalemic reperfusion on the recovery of contractile function after 15 minutes of coronary occlusion

Controlled initial hyperkalemic reperfusion after cardiac transplantation: Coronary vascular resistance and blood flow

The coronary vascular response to controlled initial hyperkalemic reperfusion after global ischemia during cardiac transplantation was studied in 11 patients. The mean global ischemic time was 206 minutes (range, 143 to 245 minutes). All donor hearts received initial hyperkalemic crystalloid cardioplegia and subsequent oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia during implantation. Coronary blood flow was highest during the first one to two minutes of controlled reperfusion but remained normal throughout the first ten minutes of reperfusion. Coronary vascular resistance was less than normal throughout the first ten minutes of controlled reperfusion, but then was a gradual increase throughout this period. Systemic vascular resistance remained within normal limits. The time to effective contraction was highly variable, but a greater potassium load during initial reperfusion was generally associated with a longer time to effective contraction.