Effects of unloaded reperfusion on mitochondrial function in the postischemic myocardium

The effect of mechanical unloading on recovery of postischemic myocardial performance, high energy phosphate content, and mitochondrial function was tested in an isolated working rabbit heart model. After 30 min of global ischemia, prolonged unloaded reperfusion could prevent complete loss of contractility, deterioration of mitochondrial function, and depletion of the ATP pool as was found when only short-term unloading was performed. Aortic flow recovered to 21% of preischemic control, and left ventricular dP/dt max to 46% (p < 0.05 vs. short-term unloading). OPR and ADP/O stabilized at 42 and 72%, respectively (p < 0.05 vs. short-term unloading), and ATP at 33% of control (p < 0.05 vs. short-term unloading). These results show the beneficial effect of prolonged unloading in postischemic hearts.