Additive protection of aprotinin, protease inhibitor to cold cardioplegia from ischemic myocarium.

Protective action of aprotinin froom ischemic myocardial damage was evaluated in 9 patients compared to non-treated 18 patients, who underwent open heart surgery (22 ACB, 3 AVR and 2 MVR) with respect to the alterations of beta-glucronidase, acid-phosphatase, MB-CPK and m-GOT. Cold cardioplegia with glucose-insulin-potassium solution was used in this investigation. Average arrest time was 78.6 +/- 4.9 minutes associated with hypothermia between 25 and 28 degrees C in rectal temperature. Aprotinin was administered in 9 patients intravenously with 5,000 KIU/Kg 30 minutes prior to CPB and then 5,000 KIU/Kg in the prime solution. Activity of beta-glucronidase was significantly suppressed in the aprotinin-treated group compared to the non-treated group following cardioplegia and in the reperfusion period up to 6 hours, however, acid-phosphatase failed to demonstrate significant difference among two groups. Serum MB-CPK and m-GOT levels in the aprotinin-treated group did not elevate the beginning of reperfusion following cardioplegia. These data suggest that aprotinin add myocardial protection to cold cardioplegia.