Myocardial metabolism during prolonged selectived hypothermic coronary perfusion.

In the study discussed below, we assessed the myocardial protection provided by our method of selective hypothermic coronary perfusion. Using arterial and coronary venous blood samples, the following biochemical aspects of myocardial metabolism were calculated: 1) coronary arteriovenous (A-V) pH difference, 2) O2 difference, 3) CO2 difference, 4) respiratory quotient, 5) coronary A-V pyruvate difference, 6) lactate difference, 7) cardiac excess lactate, and 8) redox potential difference. Results indicate that, during coronary perfusion performed according to out method, metabolic changes are minimal and easily reversible shortly after coronary perfusion is terminated.