Improved myocardial protection with perfluorocarbon cardioplegia.

An oxygenated perfluorocarbon solution containing 25 mEq/L potassium has been investigated as a potentially useful cardioplegic solution to be administered to patients undergoing prolonged induced global myocardial ischemia during open-heart surgical procedures. Experimental studies have demonstrated that, compared to simply crystalloid and cold-blood cardioplegic solutions, an oxygenated perfluorocarbon cardioplegic solution administered at low temperatures can deliver oxygen to the ischemic heart and that this available oxygen is utilized by the heart. In an experimental study in which a Fluosol-43 solution was compared to both crystalloid and oxygenated-blood cardioplegia, Fluosol-43-treated hearts demonstrated better recovery of left ventricular function following postischemic reperfusion.