PROLONGED HYPOTHERMIC CARDIAC STORAGE WITH HISTIDINE-TRYPTOPHAN-KETOGLUTARATE SOLUTION

Abstract

Our results suggest that HTK solution is much more effective than UW and GIK solutions for isolated rat heart preservation; however, successful cold storage of the heart is highly energy-dependent, and a dramatic breakdown of myocardial energy level, which causes a crucial decline in cardiac function, occurs between 8 and 12 hr of storage.