Cardioprotective effect of desferrioxamine

Cardiopulmonary bypass and the superimposed period of ischemia-reperfusion are situations in cardiac surgery that promote free radical generation. In these conditions, most animal and clinical studies have demonstrated the role of desferrioxamine, an iron chelator, in reducing generation of these highly cytotoxic radical species. However, this biological demonstration has not been translated into improved postoperative patient outcome.