Does Hypothermia or Hyperkalemia Influence the Preconditioning Response?

Abstract

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a potent mode of myocardial protection, but not in all models of cold cardioplegia. The present study investigates possible effects of hypothermia and hyperkalemia on the preconditioning response. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were preconditioned (2 min global ischemia and 5 min reperfusion) or control-perfused prior to 35 min normothermic, global ischemia (series 1, n = 17 in each group); 50 min normothermic cardioplegia (St. Thomas's II) (series 2, n = 10 in each); 75 min 23°C, global ischemia (series 3, n = 7 in each); or 5 h 6-8°C, global ischemia (series 4, n = 9 in each). Left ventricular developed (LVDP) and end-diastolic (LVEDP) pressures, coronary flow (CF), heart rate, incidence of severe reperfusion arrhythmias, and release of troponin T (TnT) were measured. IPC attenuated reduction of LVDP and CF, and increase of LVEDP during reperfusion in series 1-3. TnT release was reduced by IPC in series 3 only. IPC did not attenuate dysfunction after hypothermic ischemia (series 4). Neither hyperkalemia nor moderate hypothermia alone inhibited the preconditioning response, but IPC was not protective in deep hypothermia.