Solutions for preservation of the heart at 0 degrees C

Solutions developed for cardioplegia and myocardial protection during elective ischemic cardiac arrest have also been used for the storage of heart grafts at 0 degrees C. In this study we show that a solution based upon the principles established in renal preservation experiments gives superior preservation of rabbit hearts at 0 degrees C. The solution contained K+ 25 mmol/L, Mg++ 10 mmol/L, sufficient glucose to prevent fluid uptake during storage (30 mmol/L), and a low concentration of calcium (0.1 mmol/L). The complete omission of calcium was detrimental to function after prolonged storage.