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 longterm cold heart preservation.