CARDIOVASCULAR ENGINEERING Journal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Assist Devices,Transplantation and Artificial Organs
	Volume 8, 2003, No 1-2

A Modified, Extracellular-Type, University of Wisconsin Solution Results in Complete Recovery of Pig Hearts after 12-Hour Hypothermic Preservation
G. Tian, B. Xiang, G. Dai, J. Sun, W. G. Lindsay, R. Deslauriers

Background: This study was to determine whether a modified, extracellular-type, University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is superior to regular UW solution for long-term myocardial preservation.
Methods: Twelve isolated pig hearts were subjected to a protocol consisting of 30 minutes of control perfusion, cardiac arrest, 12-hour cold storage at 1-2^oC, and 1-hour reperfusion. The hearts in group 1 (n = 6) were arrested with modified, extracellular-type, UW solution while the hearts in group 2 (n = 6) were stopped with regular UW solution. Myocardial energy metabolites were monitored using ³¹P magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy throughout protocol.
Results: ³¹P MR spectra showed no significant differences between the two groups in myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine (PCr) during 12 hours of preservation. During reperfusion, however, the hearts in group 1 showed improved recovery in myocardial ATP, PCr, inorganic phosphate (Pi), and intracellular pH (pHi) relative to the hearts in group 2. Recovery of contractile function was also significantly better in group 1 than in group 2. Coronary resistance during reperfusion was significantly lower in group 1 (43.2 ± 4.2 mmHg.min.g/ml) than in group 2 (122 ± 21.9 mmHg.min.g/ml). Furthermore, the release of creatine kinase (CK) measured at early reperfusion was significantly less (P<0.05) in the group 1 (82.4 ± 53 U/L) than in the group 2 (324 ± 143 U/L).
Conclusion: Our results suggest that a modified, extracellular-type, UW solution is superior to regular UW solution for long-term heart preservation. The improved efficacy of the extracellular-type UW solution may be related to its protective effects on the coronary vascular system.

(CVE. 2003; 8 (1/2): 66-72)

Key words: University of Wisconsin solution, heart preservation, heart transplantation, myocardial energy metabolism, magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Ganghong Tian, M.D.
Institute for Biodiagnostics
National Research Council of Canada
435 Ellice Ave. Winnipeg
Manitoba R3B 1Y6
Canada
E-mail: Hong.Tian@nrc.ca

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