Enoximone usage for experimental spinal cord protection during aortic cross-clamping

Spinal cord preservation during aortic cross-clamping is of vital importance. Maintenance of spinal cord blood supply is one of the key points for spinal cord preservation. In this study enoximone was selected as an agent to reduce the risk of spinal cord injury because of its inotropic and vasodilator actions. Ten dogs underwent sixty minutes aortic occlusion. Five animals received enoximone and the others did not (the control group). Enoximone dosage was 10 microgram/kg/min. Four dogs in the control group suffered paraplegia. There were no paraplegic events in the enoximone group. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure was 17 +/- 3 mmHg in the control group, 15 +/- 4 mmHg in the enoxirmone group. Distal aortic pressure was 15 +/- 4 mmHg in the control group, 47 +/- 6 in the enoximone group (p < 0.001). In this study we conclude that enoximone is an effective agent to reduce the risk of spinal cord injury.