Protective effects of repetitive injections of radiographic contrast media on the subsequent tolerance to ischemia in the isolated rat heart

• Published in: Cardiovascular and interventional radiology 2000-11, Vol.23 (6), p.466-471
• Main Authors: FALCK, Geir, BRUVOLD, Morten, SCHJØTT, Jan, JYNGE, Per
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Flow Velocity - drug effects; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Coronary Angiography - methods; Coronary Circulation - drug effects; Coronary Vessels - drug effects; Coronary Vessels - pathology; HEART; In Vitro Techniques; Injections, Intra-Arterial; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); IOHEXOL; Iohexol - administration & dosage; Ioxaglic Acid - administration & dosage; ISCHEMIA; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial - methods; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Myocardial Infarction - diagnostic imaging; Myocardial Infarction - pathology; Myocardial Infarction - physiopathology; Myocardial Infarction - prevention & control; NITRIC OXIDE; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; RATS; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; SAFETY; TOLERANCE
• ISSN: 0174-1551; 1432-086X
• DOI: 10.1007/s002700010106

Despite detailed knowledge of the effects of X-ray contrast media on cardiac function, no studies have examined the effect of contrast media injections on the subsequent tolerance to ischemia in the heart. Isolated perfused rat hearts were exposed to repetitive injections of iohexol, iodixanol, or ioxaglate before 30 min of global ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. These groups were compared with control (no pretreatment) and ischemic preconditioning known to reduce infarct size. Physiologic variables and infarct size were measured Pretreatment with iodixanol reduced infarct size significantly compared with control and thus afforded protection against ischemia. Injections with iohexol and ioxaglate reduced infarct size, although not significantly, compared with control. Pretreatment of the isolated rat heart with commonly used contrast media enhances the cardiac tolerance to subsequent ischemia. The mechanism behind this protective effect could not be determined, but could involve stretching of the heart and/or generation of nitric oxide.