One-day Hypothermic Preservation of Isolated Hearts with Halothane Improves Cardiac Function Better than Low Calcium

Abstract

Abstract Background Halothane exerts a potent negative inotropic effect on the heart and mimics many of the cardiac effects of lowered extracellular CaCl2. Reduced slow inward Calcium2+ current and sarcoplasmic reticular effects on intracellular Calcium2+ are likely involved. The authors reported previously that halothane protects against hypoxic and ischemia reperfusion injury in isolated hearts. The aim of this isolated heart study was to compare protective effects of halothane and low CaCl sub 2 (0.5 mM) administered during 1 day of hypothermic perfusion on return of normothermic perfusion.