TEMPORAL FACTORS IN REDUCTION OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCT VOLUME BY METHYLPREDNISOLONE

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 80  (1) , 61-69
Abstract
With a canine model of myocardial infarction [ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery] and an intracellular stain for lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) to directly measure size of infarction, the influence of 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone sodium succinate was evaluated. The i.v. administration of a pharmacologic dose of methylprednisolone 1, 2 or 3 h after the onset of myocardial infarction significantly reduced the ultimate extent of myocardial necrosis, with the greatest reduction seen following the injection of the drug 1 h after ligation. The left atrial pressure was significantly decreased by corticosteroid administration; whereas the cardiac index and peripheral vascular tone were improved insignificantly. Inconsistent and/or insignificant effects were observed in the systemic and coronary sinus blood gases and in those indices of myocardial metabolism which were determined. The potential impact of these finding on the clinical applicability of methylprednisolone sodium succinate in acute myocardial ischemia is discussed.