Lack of Successful Reanimation of Pig Hearts Harvested More Than 10 Minutes After Death

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of arrested pig hearts harvested after animal death.

Methods: Hearts (n = 25) were preserved for 2 hours by cold storage (4 degrees C) with St. Thomas' cardioplegic solution no warm ischemia (0 minutes; control) or 10, 20, 30, or 60 minutes of in situ warm ischemia (animal exsanguination). Hearts were then reperfused for 1 hour with whole blood with an in vitro functional testing system. Left ventricular developed pressure and coronary flow were measured during reperfusion. Energetic compound measurements and histologic analysis were performed on tissue biopsy specimens.

Results: After 10- and 20-minute warm ischemia, hearts showed a significant decrease in energetic compounds, a 51% and 73% decreases of left ventricular developed pressure, and 38% and 65% decreases in coronary flow, respectively. After 30 minutes hearts showed irreversible ischemic injury with ultrastructural tissue damage, a large decrease in energetic adenine nucleotide compounds, and an inability to beat more than 15 minutes after reperfusion.

Conclusion: We conclude that in contrast with other species, pig hearts harvested 10 minutes or more after animal exsanguination fail to be successfully reanimated.