Coronary endothelial injury after cardiopulmonary bypass and ischemic cardioplegia is mediated by oxygen-derived free radicals.

Abstract

Either the hydroxyl radical synthesis inhibitor deferoxamine or manganese superoxide dismutase preserves endothelium-dependent relaxation during crystalloid cardioplegia-reperfusion. Therefore, ischemic cardioplegia-reperfusion-induced endothelial dysfunction is at least partially mediated by the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals.