[The role of fentanyl in protecting the myocardium from ischemic damage]

It has been shown that despite heart hypothermia to 12-15 degrees C the functional parameters under study following 60 min ischemia were considerably lower than their preischemic values. Introduction of fentanyl into the circulating solution enhanced noticeably the protective effect of hypothermia. At all the experimental stages the analgesic led to dose-dependent improvement of heart functions. Its action manifested in attenuation of left ventricular wall tension, a decrease in oxygen consumption and preservation of the coronary flow following ischemia, which enabled the hearts to demonstrate higher contractility and performance.