Six-Hour Preservation of the Isolated Working Rat Heart Improved with University of Wisconsin Solution

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Abstract
University of Wisconsin (UW) solution was compared with modified St. Thomas cardioplegic solution for 6-hour preservation of isolated working rat hearts. The hearts (9 in each group) were arrested with the respective solution and stored, still cannulated, for 6 hours at 4d`C. After retrograde reperfusion for 30 minutes, antegrade perfusion was begun at constant left atrial and aortic pressures. Following 25 minutes of antegrade perfusion the hemodynamic recovery of the UW-preserved hearts was superior to that of the other hearts (cardiac output 46.0±4.8% of the preischemic control values in the UW group and 10.0±6.0% in the St. Thomas group, pp<0.05). No significant intergroup difference was found in aspartate amino-transferase leak or tissue glycogen. The study demonstrated both better function and enhancement of high-energy phosphates with UW solution vs. modified St. Thomas solution in isolated rat hearts, although without difference in enzyme leakage or tissue glycogen, after 6-hour preservation.