³¹P-NMR study of cardiac preservation: St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution versus UW preservation solution

Abstract

Abstract. Ex vivo cardiac preservation was evaluated by measuring the catabolism of high‐energy phosphate (ATP and creatine phosphate, CrP) using 31P‐NMR spectroscopy. After cardioplegic arrest St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution (group A), and University of Wisconsin (UW) preservation solution (group B) were tested. The hearts were mounted in the 4.7 T horizontal bore magnet of the NMR spectrometer and were continuously perfused with the test solution under 25 cm H2O pressure for 6 h at 10°C. Peak heights of the β‐phosphate of ATP and CrP were measured and expressed as percentages of the initial value. For both group A and group B, ATP declined less rapidly during preservation than CrP. In group A, ATP remained constant for 60 min while CrP decreased from the onset of preservation. After 6 h of preservation 28.3% of ATP and 24.5% of CrP remained (group A). On the other hand, in group B, levels of both ATP and CrP remained much more stable: CrP did not decrease during the first 3 h of preservation, while ATP started to decrease after 5 h. At the end of preservation 76.1% of ATP and 71.5% of CrP were still present. We conclude that UW solution is superior to St. Thomas' Hospital solution for the preservation of high‐energy phosphates during 6 h cardiac preservation with continuous hypothermic low‐flow perfusion.

Selection criteria for liver donation: a review

“…Another animal study showed a strong influence of nutritional status on the "P-MR liver spectrum [106]. Similar results were seen in the human body too, especially in human hearts [4,70] and kidneys [15]. In a recent publication, Wolf et al reported their own experience with MRS on human livers during cold storage.…”