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Numerous authors reported a significant deterioration of heart function induced by aortic cross-clamping. Nevertheless, the aorta has been clamped during various surgical procedures without any complication. We studied the hemodynamic and metabolic variations induced by 20 min thoracic aorta cross-clamping in 6 open-chest dogs. During clamping the most striking modifications were an increase in coronary blood flow of over 65%, an increase in cardiac work of over 77% and an increase in total peripheral resistances of over 68% compared to base values. No significant variations were found in the heart rate and cardiac index. Metabolic parameters, such as O₂ consumption and lactate consumption increased significantly during the clamping period. The increase in lactate consumption and the progressive and continuous improvement in oxygenation indexes (lactate/pyruvate, redox potential, excess of lactate) proved the absence of any myocardial anoxia during this period. Within 15–30 min after declamping all hemodynamic and metabolic parameters reverted to values close to basal values. These data strongly suggest that the mammalian heart can tolerate this procedure satisfactorily for a limited period of time. In clinical settings, one should consider the base conditions of the cardiovascular system before transposing these conclusions.

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