Myocardial Protective Effects of Lidoflazine During Ischemia and Reperfusion

The myocardial protective effect of intravenous (i.v.) lidoflazine with potassium cardioplegia and hypothermia (28 degrees C) was investigated in 21 greyhounds. Animals were injected a single dose of cardioplegia (30 ml/kg body weight) and subjected to 120 minutes of ischaemia and 60 minutes of reperfusion. Ten dogs served as controls (Group C) and 11 dogs received i.v. lidoflazine (1.25 mg/kg b.w.) (Group L). Myocardial drill biopsies for the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the creatine phosphate (CP) levels were obtained. Hemodynamic measurements were made at intervals. In Group C, no dog could be weaned from bypass, whereas all 11 dogs in Group L came off bypass and maintained their circulation for 15 minutes. After a 120 minute ischemic period, the ATP and CP contents diminished significantly in both groups. Following reperfusion, the ATP level was 28% of the control level in Group C (p less than 0.005) and 38% in Group L (p less than 0.01). The CP levels showed an overshoot in both groups. There was no significant difference between the groups. In Group L animals, cardiac output (CO) and mean aortic pressure (MAP) were significantly reduced after bypass; from 5 +/- 1/min to 3.2 +/- 1, from 156 +/- 26 mmHg to 82 +/- 11 mmHg respectively (p less than 0.005). Left ventricular minute work (LVMW) also deteriorated markedly from 9.7 +/- 2 kg-m to 3.2 +/- 1 (p less than 0.005). The use of lidoflazine achieved considerable protection in terms of survival, but did not prevent the severe loss of high-energy phosphates in this experimental model.