HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Gonzalo Pradas Alberto Juffé Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pradas, G. Articles by Juffé, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pradas, G. Articles by Juffé, A.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;111:784-790
© 1996 Mosby, Inc.

CARDIAC AND PULMONARY REPLACEMENT

CONTINUOUS WARM REPERFUSION DURING HEART TRANSPLANTATION

Received for publication August 19, 1994 Accepted for publication June 7, 1995. Address for reprints: Gonzalo Pradas, MD, Unidad de Cirugía Cardíaca "Cardiovigo," Hospital do Meixoeiro, Apdo. Oficial s/n, 36200—Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.

Abstract

From April 1991 to January 1993, 37 orthotopic heart transplantations were performed at our institution. Conventional preservation technique with cold crystalloid cardioplegia and topical hypothermia during storage and implantation was used in the first 15 cases (group A). After January 1992, for the next 22 patients (group B), we administered a first dose of hyperkalemic blood cardioplegia on arrival of the graft and thereafter instituted continuous warm reperfusion by infusion of oxygenated blood with added potassium. The groups were compared retrospectively, and significant differences were observed. In group B, the ischemic time was shortened by 31 minutes, the suture time lasted 12 minutes longer, sinus rhythm recovered spontaneously, the duration of inotropic support was reduced, postoperative arrythmias decreased, length of intensive care and hospital stays were reduced, there was less ischemic damage in the first endomyocardial biopsy sample, and right ventricular pressures a month after operation were lower. Continuous warm reperfusion during implantation of the donor heart is technically feasible and seems to provide enhanced myocardial preservation. (J THORACCARDIOVASCSURG1996;111:784-90)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. B. Luciani, G. Faggian, G. Montalbano, G. Casali, A. Forni, B. Chiominto, and A. Mazzucco BLOOD VERSUS CRYSTALLOID CARDIOPLEGIA FOR MYOCARDIAL PROTECTION OF DONOR HEARTS DURING TRANSPLANTATION: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., November 1, 1999; 118(5): 787 - 795. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]