Prevention of postoperative pericardial adhesions with a defibrinogenating agent

Pericardial adhesions pose a major problem during re-operative cardiac surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Batroxobin, a fibrinogen depleting agent, on the incidence of experimental pericardial adhesions. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 8 rabbits each and pericardial mesothelial injury was induced by abrasion. Group A included rabbits receiving no further treatment, Group B included rabbits receiving intrapericardial injection of Ringer's solution, and Group C included rabbits receiving intrapericardial injection of Batroxobin. Three weeks after surgery, the incidence of adhesions in Groups B and C was compared with that in Group A. Pericardial adhesions found in 80% of the rabbits in Groups A and B. However, only 14% of the rabbits in Group C had pericardial adhesions (p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrated that intrapericardial Batroxobin reduced the incidence of pericardial adhesions in an animal model.