Protective effect of hydrocortisone on the myocardium during anoxic arrest

The protective effect of hydrocortisone on the myocardium during anoxic arrest was investigated in nonworking, isolated rat heart preparations subjected to cardioplegia. In control preparations (no cardioplegia) there was no inotropic effect of hydrocortisone. After both 60 and 120 min of anoxic arrest, recovery of contractility in hearts treated with cardioplegia and hydrocortisone was significantly better than that of hearts treated with cardioplegia only--98 vs. 85%, respectively, at 60 min, and 100 vs. 87% at 120 min. The addition of hydrocortisone to cardioplegia solution apparently results in better protection of the myocardium during anoxic arrest.