Long-term morphologic and hemodynamic evaluation of the left ventricle after cardiopulmonary bypass. A comparison of normothermic anoxic arrest, coronary artery perfusion, and profound topical cardiac hypothermia.

In order to assess the long-term effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in combination with pupular methods of myocardial protection, 37 dogs were placed on CPB for 100 minutes with the use of a bubble oxygenator without hemodilution. A separate group (I) of eight normal dogs served as a control for assessment of hemodynamic changes. The operative groups were as follows: II, continuous coronary perfusion with an empty, beating heart for 60 minutes at 35 degrees C.; III, hypothermic anoxic arrest (aortic occlusion) for 60 minutes with topical cold saline lavage (4 degrees C.); IV, anoxic arrest for 60 minutes at 35 degrees C. Subgroups of Groups III and IV received intracoronary perfusion with Ringer's lactate or Sacks' solution during aortic occlusion and were compared with those animals receiving no perfusion. Survival in Groups II and III was significantly better than in Group IV (82 and 92 per cent vs. 45 per cent). Coronary perfusion with Ringer's lactate or Sack's solution did not influence survival. The 23 survivors from all groups underwent left heart catheterization and LV cineangiography 5 months after operation. All three operative groups had significant elevation of LVEDP and depression of maximum developed dp/dt when compared with normal dogs. Ejection fraction was significantly depressed in Groups III and IV, and there was evidence of left ventricular hypokinesia and/or akinesia in all three operative groups. Differences in function between Groups II, III, and IV were not significant. The use of intracoronary solutions during anoxic arrest did not significantly influence these functional alterations. Evidence of subendocardial fibrosis was found in each of the operative groups, with the most marked changes found in the normothermic arrest group. Moderate fibrosis was present, however, in some survivors in both the continuous coronary perfusion and topical hypothermic arrest groups. These data indicate that although survival is greatly enhanced when coronary artery perfusion or topical hypothermia is used, neither method prevents chronic deterioration in ventricular function nor the development of subendocardial fibrosis.