[Regional myocardial blood flow and ventricle function following hypothermic ischemia and cardioplegia]

Regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) and left ventricular (LV) function were measured in 18 dogs after 60 min hypothermic (14-16 degrees C) arrest with (group I) and without cardioplegia (group II). Regardless whether postischemic LV function was severely (group II) or only moderately (group I) impaired, the amount of MBF and its transmural distribution was not significantly altered after 30 min reperfusion. In contrast to topical hypothermia, additional cardioplegia maintained metabolic regulation of coronary flow.