Contribution of free oxygen radicals to disorders in aerobic metabolism recovery in transplanted heart after preservation for different periods

Experimental transplantation of the heart after preservation for different periods in St. Thomas solution showed that recovery of aerobic metabolism during reperfusion is impaired in the transplant weakened by ischemia because of activation of free-radical oxygen-dependent processes. Functional disorders were reversible after preservation for up to 4 h and involved adaptation changes in the recipient. After longer preservation, changes in the myocardium were irreversible. They manifested by failure of recovery of heart function caused by intracellular damage. In addition, pathological changes were observed in the recipient, caused by failure of antioxidant defense. This necessitates modification of the preserving solution in order to improve the transplant stability. Moreover, antioxidant drugs should be used for protecting the recipient.