Does the pre-ischaemic administration of sevoflurane reduce myocardial stunning?
A porcine experimental model. Aagaard S, Larsen JR, Berg JS, Sloth E, Hasenkam JM. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Research and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby Sygehus, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. BACKGROUND: In a porcine model, the cardioprotective effect of sevoflurane was studied with regard to the preservation of myocardial contractility (myocardial stunning) after a myocardial ischaemic insult. METHODS: Twenty-seven pigs were randomized to receive either a dual 4% sevoflurane inhalation period as a supplement to pentobarbital anaesthesia or pentobarbital anaesthesia only before a 15-min ischaemic insult on the left anterior descending coronary artery. The ischaemic period was followed by 180 min of reperfusion. Myocardial contractility was assessed by myocardial sonomicrometry. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the sevoflurane group and the control group at 5 min of reperfusion. However, subsequ
