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Donor Heart Preservation with Hydrogen Sulfide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Imran A Ertugrul1, Vincent van Suylen1, Kevin Damman2
1University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 2, 2021
Summary
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) postconditioning significantly protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury by reducing infarct size and improving cardiac function. This suggests H2S may be a valuable therapy for cardiac transplantation preservation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Transplantation Medicine
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Preclinical studies indicate that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) postconditioning offers cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).
- Investigating H2S's role in cardiac preservation is crucial for advancing clinical cardiac transplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the evidence for H2S postconditioning's cardioprotective effects against IRI.
- To explore the potential clinical implementation of H2S in cardiac transplantation.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Medline, Embase, and Cinahl databases.
- Meta-analyses were performed on 16 eligible studies meeting pre-defined inclusion criteria.
- The review focused on H2S postconditioning in the context of global myocardial ischemia.
Main Results:
- H2S postconditioning demonstrated robust efficacy in limiting infarct size (SMD = -4.12, p < 0.00001).
- Consistent improvements were observed in cardiac function, reduced cardiac injury markers, and decreased oxidative stress.
- Slow-releasing H2S donors showed significant cardioprotective effects.
Conclusions:
- H2S postconditioning presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cardiac preservation in transplantation.
- Further research, including long-term effects and large animal studies, is necessary before clinical application.
- H2S therapy holds potential for novel interventions in managing myocardial IRI.
