Effect of halothane on sarcolemmal calcium channels during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

The present results provide indirect support for other studies which showed that halothane inhibited the Ca2+ accumulation associated with myocardial ischemia in isolated guinea pig hearts (6), demonstrating a potentially beneficial effect of the anesthetic on the ischemic heart. The role of halothane in preventing ischemia-induced dysrhythmias and attenuation of free radical generation on reperfusion offers a new potential use during open heart surgery. The method of continuous perfusion of oxygenated blood cardioplegia, retrogradely, through the coronary sinus, enables a concomitant administration of the VA before and during the ischemic period of the cardiopulmonary bypass. Further studies may promote the use of the volatile anesthetic when myocardial ischemia and reperfusion are present during open heart surgery.