Myocardial recovery during post-ischaemic reperfusion: effects of nifedipine, calcium and magnesium.

We studied the effects of various interventions introduced at the time of post-ischaemic reperfusion on mechanical activity, tissue and mitochondrial calcium, mitochondrial function and tissue ATP and CP of isolated perfused rabbit hearts. These interventions were: nifedipine, low calcium (0.75 mM, 0.15 mM and 0.05 mM), high magnesium (15 mM) and high magnesium (15 mM) with low calcium (0.75 mM). Ischemia was induced by abolishing coronary flow for 60 min, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. The results indicate that nifedipine when given during reperfusion had no protective effect, whilst it was beneficial when administrated before ischaemia. Lowering calcium content of the perfusate during reperfusion may be advantageous, depending on the degree of calcium reduction. Reperfusion with high magnesium reduced the mitochondrial calcium overload and maintained the mitochondrial ATP-producing capacity but failed to modify the increase of tissue calcium and of diastolic pressure. Lowering calcium content in the presence of high magnesium resulted in better protection. These data suggest that the conditions of reperfusion may influence the capacity of myocardial recovery.