Carnitine has been suggested as an agent for the protection of the myocardium during
regional ischemia and it might therefore be able to reduce tissue injury during surgically
induced global ischemia. Using an isolated working rat heart model we have assessed
the way in which various concentrations of carnitine influence the efficacy of the
St. Thomas' Hospital Cardioplegic Solution. Carnitine was found to exert a dose-dependent
detrimental effect upon the ischemic myocardium, with high concentrations abolishing
all the protective properties of the cardioplegic solution. Furthermore, this compound
appeared to promote the occurrence of reperfusion dysrhythmias.
Ischemia - Cardioplegia - Carnitine - Myocardial protection - Rat heart - Arrhythmias
