Beneficial Effects of Fluosol–Polyethylene Glycol Cardioplegia on Cold, Preserved Rabbit Heart

Background. Because of its high oxygen-carrying capacity, especially at low temperatures, fluosol may enhance heart preservation. Methods. Hearts of male New Zealand white rabbits (1.5–2.0 kg) were excised and flushed through the aorta with 0°C St. Thomas’ Hospital solution, fluosol, or polyethylene glycol or fluosol–polyethylene glycol cardioplegic solution. Hearts were then stored for 12 hours at 0°C and reperfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 36.5°C for 60 minutes using a Langendorff system. Results. Myocardial contractile function was significantly greater in the fluosol–polyethylene glycol cardioplegia–preserved group (p < 0.01) and polyethylene glycol–cardioplegia preserved group (p < 0.05) than in the St. Thomas’ Hospital solution–preserved group. The myocardial high-energy phosphate content was significantly higher in the fluosol–polyethylene glycol–cardioplegia–preserved group (p < 0.01), with reduced release of lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.01) in comparison with the St. Thomas’ Hospital solution–preserved group. Conclusions. The addition of fluosol and polyethylene glycol to the cardioplegic solution may enhance long-term cold heart preservation. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:459–64)