Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of Thomas solution in combination with nitroglycerine of different concentrations on rat cardiac preservation for 8 h. Methods Thirty Wistar rats were selected, and Langendorff heart perfusion models were established. Rats were randomly divided into Thomas solution group, Thomas solution+4×10^-6 mol/L nitroglycerine group and Thomas solution+4×10^-5 mol/L nitroglycerine group (n=10). After hypothermic preservation (4 ℃）for 8 h, the cardiac function of each group was determined. Tissues of left ventricular wall were obtained, and changes of myocardial ultrastructure were observed by electron microscopy. Results Compared with Thomas solution group, the cardiac function was significantly improved and the myocardial ultrastructure injury was less severe in Thomas solution+4×10^-5 mol/L nitroglycerine group after hypothermic preservation (4 ℃）for 8 h, while there was no significant difference in myocardial ultrastructure injury and cardiac function between Thomas solution group and Thomas solution+4×10^-6 mol/L nitroglycerine group. Conclusion Thomas solution in combination with 4×10^-5 mol/L nitroglycerine can significantly improve the preservation effects for isolated hearts in rats.

Key words: heart transplantation, myocardial preservation, nitroglycerine, nitric oxide