Effects of thiopental on cardiac energy metabolisms in postischemic reperfusion in rat.

In experiments on isolated rat heart lung preparation, the effects of thiopental on myocardial metabolisms in postischemic reperfusion were evaluated with intramyocardial high energy phosphates, lactate, pyruvate and glycogen. The release of CPK in the perfusate blood was also measured at the end of reperfusion. After 10 min perfusion, hearts were made globally ischemic for 8 min and reperfused for 12 min. Large dose of thiopental (100 microg/ml) reduced the energy charge and glycogen content. Reperfusion with an anesthetic dose of thiopental (10 microg/ml) resulted in an exacerbation of the CPK release. Protection by thiopental during ischemia was not observed and its high dose may be harmful.