Cardiovascular research
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Cardiovascular research · Mar 2007
Comparative StudyRelationship between oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and ultrastructural damage in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing cardioplegic arrest/reperfusion.
In animal models, formation of oxidants during postischemic reperfusion may exert deleterious effects ("oxidative stress"). Cardioplegic arrest/reperfusion during cardiac surgery might similarly induce oxidative stress. However, the phenomenon has not been precisely characterized in patients, and therefore the role of antioxidant therapy at cardiac surgery is a matter of debate. Thus, we wanted to ascertain whether the relationship between oxidant formation and development of myocardial injury also translates to the situation of patients subjected to cardioplegic arrest. ⋯ Careful investigation reveals that while oxidant production does occur during cardiac surgery in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease, cardiac oxidative stress may not progress through membrane damage and irreversible injury.