Intact endothelial and contractile function of coronary artery after 8 hours of heart preservation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate if adequate preservation of coronary artery endothelium-dependent relaxation and contractility may be obtained after 8 hours of non-ischemic heart preservation.

DESIGN: Porcine hearts were perfused for 8 hours at 8 °C, either in cycles of 15 minutes perfusion and 60 minutes non-perfusion, or by continuous perfusion. The perfusate consisted of a cardioplegic, hyperoncotic nutrition solution with oxygenated red cells, and the perfusion pressure was 20 mmHg. In organ baths, coronary artery segments from the preserved hearts were studied and compared to fresh controls.

RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent relaxation and contractility were fully preserved after both intermittent and continuous perfusion, as compared to fresh controls. No myocardial edema was seen; water content of the myocardium was 79.5 ± 0.2%, 79.0 ± 0.4% and 79.0 ± 0.3% (ns) for fresh controls, intermittently perfused, and continuously perfused hearts, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Intact endothelial and contractile function of coronary artery may be obtained after 8 hours of non-ischemic heart preservation.