Metabolic and functional effects of creatine phosphate in cardioplegic solution. Studies on rat hearts during and after normothermic ischemia.

Creatine phosphate is a precursor molecule for ATP synthesis, even under ischemic conditions. We investigated its functional and metabolic effects when added to cardioplegic solution. Rat hearts were subjected to normothermic ischemia for 15 or 30 min and then freeze-clamped. During ischemia there was gradual reduction of high-energy phosphates, but the hearts with creatine phosphate supplement showed higher myocardial content of ATP and of the creatine compound. Other hearts, subjected to 20 min of ischemia, were reperfused with blood for 40 min. Creatine phosphate supplementation resulted in better left ventricular isovolumic work during spontaneous activity, but in paced activity (400 beats/min) no significant differences were seen. After reperfusion, supplemented hearts showed a tendency to higher levels of ATP and creatine phosphate. In all three groups the hearts with cardioplegic supplement had significantly increased myocardial content of pyruvate without proportional lactate increase. The results indicate that creatine phosphate may be an effective constituent in cardioplegic solution.