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Arrhythmogenic effects of isoflurane‐induced preconditioning in the isolated rat heart
Author(s) -
Tobin Ann A,
Rhodes Samhita S,
Heisner James S,
Bosnjak Zeljko J,
Kwok WaiMeng
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a232
Subject(s) - medicine , isoflurane , cardiology , ischemic preconditioning , ventricular fibrillation , anesthesia , ischemia , ventricular tachycardia , atrial fibrillation , tachycardia
Anesthetic‐induced preconditioning (APC) is a phenomenon whereby a brief exposure to volatile anesthetics protects the heart following a prolonged ischemic episode. The efficacy of APC is similar to that of ischemic preconditioning. The reduction in infarct size by APC is well‐documented. In contrast, the effect of APC on cardiac rhythm during reperfusion is not well‐established. In the present study, we tested whether APC by isoflurane reduces the incidence of arrhythmias during reperfusion in the Langendorff isolated rat heart. In the control (non‐APC) group, Wistar rat hearts were perfused with PSS buffer at 37°C for 30 minutes followed by a 30‐minute period of global ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. Preconditioned (APC) hearts were perfused with isoflurane (1 MAC) for 15 minutes followed by a 15‐minute washout period, 30 minutes of global ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. Infarct size as assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was significantly reduced in the APC group compared to the non‐APC control. Non‐APC hearts experienced tachycardia (atrial and ventricular) and fibrillation (atrial and ventricular) following ischemia during early reperfusion. Isoflurane‐induced APC abolished the monomorphic tachycardia that was observed in the non‐APC hearts. However, isoflurane increased the incidence and duration of atrial and ventricular fibrillation during early reperfusion and sustained the duration of atrial fibrillation through the late reperfusion period. APC had no effect on the incidence of premature ventricular contractions. These results indicate that APC achieved by a brief exposure to isoflurane does not prevent arrhythmogenesis. Supported by NIH P01 GM066730.