Myocardial oxygen tensions during ischaemia in fluorocarbon diluted pigs

Previous work by the authors has shown that, following ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), myocardial oxygen tension (PmO2) in expected areas of maximal ischaemia is maintained at the expense of ischaemic border zones of the infarct area. Post-ischaemic haemodilution with the fluorocarbon containing plasma substitute Fluosol-DA 20% (FDA) could significantly improve PmO2 and pre-ischaemic haemodilution can delay myocardial ischaemia. We now present an analysis of the pattern of PmO2 changes to be seen when myocardial ischaemia is induced following prior haemodilution with FDA. Two groups of juvenile Yorkshire pigs were anaesthetised with intraperitoneal thiopentone, intubated and ventilated with halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen. After placement of cardiovascular monitoring lines, a thoracotomy was performed. The pericardium was opened and 4 steel-protected gold microelectrodes were placed in the terminal supply area of the LAD in such a way that 2 electrodes were in the area of myocardial ischaema to be produced. One group of pigs were bled (20 ml/kg) and the loss was replaced with equal volumes of FDA. The animals were ventilated with halothane and oxygen and the terminal LAD was ligated. Electrode outputs were recorded on a flat bed recorder and analysed. LAD occlusion in the control animals resulted in similar changes in PmO2 to those described above.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)