Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels Contribute to Human Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction After Cardioplegic Arrest

Abstract

Cardioplegic arrest followed by reperfusion after cardiopulmonary bypass causes microvascular dysfunction associated with and likely in part due to impaired function of SK(Ca) and IK(Ca) channels in the coronary microcirculation. These results suggest novel mechanisms of endothelial and smooth muscle microvascular dysfunction after cardiac surgery.