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Myocardial hypothermia: a potential therapeutic technique for acute regional myocardial ischemia.

Authors: S L Hale|||R A Kloner

Journal: Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology

Publication Type: Journal Article

Date: 1999

DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1999.tb00689.x

ID: 10210504

Affiliations:

Affiliations

    The Heart Institute of Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, California 90017, USA. sharon.hale@ibm.net|||

Abstract

The importance of temperature in the development of necrosis after myocardial ischemia in the beating heart is becoming apparent. Recent studies have shown that the proportion of the ischemic risk zone that becomes necrotic is directly correlated with temperature. This fact suggests the potential therapeutic benefits of reducing myocardial temperature after coronary artery occlusion. We have shown in a number of experimental protocols in the rabbit model of myocardial infarction that topical regional hypothermia reduces infarct size even when instituted after coronary artery occlusion. The reduction in myocardial temperature required to obtain this benefit is modest ( 30 degrees C to 34 degrees C). Topical regional hypothermia allows targeted cooling of a zone of the heart. Myocardial cooling can also be achieved by perfusing the pericardial sac with a chilled fluid by using a closed-circuit catheter system that does not cause cardiac tamponade. This technique also protects myocardium during ischemia. Myocardial hypothermia might be a useful technique to limit ischemic damage during infarction or as adjunctive therapy during minimally invasive cardiac surgery.


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    Cardioplegic Solutions