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An intraaortic solution trial to prevent spinal cord injury in a rabbit model
Tetik O1, F Islamoglu, T Yagdi
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Atatürk Medical Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
Objectives:
to evaluate the effectiveness of an intraaortic delivered solution on preventing spinal cord injury.
Design:
forty rabbits were allocated into five equal groups.
Materials And Methods:
one clamp was placed just distal to the left renal artery, and another was placed just above the iliac bifurcation for 40 min. Group 1 was not infused (control group). Through a 24G vascular catheter inserted into the isolated aortic segment, 20 ml of LR solution at room temperature (Group 2) 20 ml of LR solution at 3 degrees C (Group 3), and 20 ml of LR solution at 3 degrees C containing 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone (Group 4) were infused over 3 min. In Group 5, 10 mg/kg of vitamins E and C were delivered two days before the experiment, and 20 ml of LR solution at 3 degrees C containing 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone, and 10 mg/kg of vitamins E and C was infused at the operation. Postoperative spinal cord function was assessed using Tarlov's criteria.
Results:
the neurologic status of Groups 3, 4, and 5 was significantly superior to that of Groups 1 and 2. No paraplegia was observed in Groups 4 and 5. Spastic paraplegia occurred in all rabbits of Groups 1 and 2, and in 20% of Group 3. In the electron microscopic evaluation of spinal cord specimens, normal histologic structure was observed in Groups 4 and 5, whereas, some derangements were observed in all others.
Conclusions:
intraaortic infusion of a hypothermic blended solution containing methylprednisolone, vitamins C and E provided best protection against postischaemic spinal cord dysfunction.