Mario Lescan, Albertus Scheule, Bernd Neumann, Christoph Haller, Julia Westendorff, Hans Peter Wendel, Gerhard Ziemer, Christian Schlensak and Tobias Walker
Background: Cold Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury (CIRI) is regarded as the major cause of early graft dysfunction after cardiac transplantations and is associated with rejection episodes. Consequently, it is one of the main therapeutic targets in order to improve survival after heart transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemodynamic effects of milrinone and its influence on the markers of myocardial damage when used in a piglet working heart model with a cold ischemia-reperfusion setting.
Methods: Hearts of 18 piglets were examined in a homologous blood-perfused, working heart model to get baseline measurements. After hypothermic cardioplegic arrest and storage on ice for 60 minutes, the hearts received either milrinone or served as controls. All hearts were examined for 45 minutes in the working heart model. Hemodynamic parameter changes, h-FABP levels and myocardial oxygen consumption were assessed.
Results: Significant difference between the groups was observed in cardiac output (MIL +14% vs. CON -33%; p<0.05), coronary sinus blood flow (MIL +84% vs. CON +17%; p<0.05) and relaxation (MIL +5% vs. CON -22%; p<0.01). In addition, significantly higher h-FABP (heart fatty acid binding proteine) levels after cold ischemia were measured in CON group (CON: 18.75 ng/ml; MIL 6.29 ng/ml; p<0.01).
Conclusions: Milrinone has a positive effect on cardiac function after cardioplegic cardiac arrest with following cold-ischemia period in an isolated piglet heart model. Its use in a heart transplantation setting induces an improved hemodynamic performance and a better preservation from reperfusion injury.
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