Evaluation of cardiac anoxia and ischemia models in the rat using calcium antagonists

The effects of severe global ischemia on cardiac high energy phosphate (HEP) stores were investigated in an in vitro rat model. The heart was removed from the rat in this model, sealed in a plastic bag and incubated for varying times and temperatures (20-45 degrees C). The rat, in the in vivo anoxic model, was subjected to cervical dislocation which resulted in respiratory arrest. In both models the hearts were removed and analyzed for HEP at appropriate times following the onset of anoxia or ischemia. Verapamil and nifedipine, administered intravenously 10 minutes before the start of the experiments, preserved HEP stores in both models. The degree of protection provided by the Ca+2 blockers was related to both the dose of drug and the duration of the ischemia/anoxia. Verapamil was more active than nifedipine in both models.