Evaluation of cardiac ischemia by NADH fluroescence photography

A direct, noninvasive method of assessing the oxidation-reduction potential of an intramyocardial respiratory chain component is described. The technique is based on the differences in spectral properties between the oxidized and reduced forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The tissue surface fluorescence from intracellular NADH may be measured and documented photographically. Noose occlusion of a coronary artery produced detectable NADH fluorescence in 15 seconds in the subtended ischemic epicardium. This fluorescence of reduced pyridine nucleotide resolved following 60 seconds of reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium. The reduction of epicardial NADH with ischemia is a rapid and reversible process. A subsequent noose reocclusion resulted in a reproducible pattern of fluorescence. The technique of NADH fluorescence photography appears superior to current methods of assessing tissue oxygen supply:demand.