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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1980; 28(4): 253-258
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1022090
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Protection of the Myocardium during Ischemic Arrest: Possible Toxicity of Carnitine in Cardioplegic Solutions*

D. J. Hearse, M. J. Shattock, A. S. Manning, M. V. Braimbridge
  • Myocardial Metabolism Research Laboratories, The Rayne Institute, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, England
*This work was supported in part by grants from the British Heart Foundation, the Wellcome Trust and St. Thomas' Hospital Research Endowments Fund.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
28 May 2008 (online)

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Summary

Carnitine has been suggested as an agent for the protection of the myocardium during regional ischemia and it might therefore be able to reduce tissue injury during surgically induced global ischemia. Using an isolated working rat heart model we have assessed the way in which various concentrations of carnitine influence the efficacy of the St. Thomas' Hospital Cardioplegic Solution. Carnitine was found to exert a dose-dependent detrimental effect upon the ischemic myocardium, with high concentrations abolishing all the protective properties of the cardioplegic solution. Furthermore, this compound appeared to promote the occurrence of reperfusion dysrhythmias.

Key words

Ischemia - Cardioplegia - Carnitine - Myocardial protection - Rat heart - Arrhythmias