Treating the Dead

[M Clayton]

The current edition of Hospital Doctor is devoted to just these issues - very interesting stuff!

[Darren A..]

'Instead, Becker says, we should aim to reduce oxygen uptake, slow metabolism and adjust the blood chemistry for gradual and safe reperfusion.'

Does anyone know exactly how this is done...you slow metabolism with the cardioplegic solution, but adjusting the blood chemistry just for the heart without polluting the rest of the body?

[Dr Noodle]

If someone's heart stops blood won't be flowing anyway? Actually that's silly cos his toes could drop off If adjusting the chemistry of the blood in the heart is it going to damage the rest of the body? That's a really good question. I want to know too now.

[Platypus]

Cardioplegia and hypothermia are and have for many years been routinely used in coronary artery bypass surgery. The effect of reperfusion and the role of leukocyte depletion in the preservation of the myocardium during CABS has been studied by, among others, our team several years ago.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9...ubmed_RVDocSum

[kid007]

"Because once the cells have been without oxygen for more than five minutes, they die when their oxygen supply is resumed"

i heard this in a seminar.. i remember.. i was astound for a moment..

[Arch_Angel]

In the brain (and other neurons at least) the "lack of oxygen followed by reintroduction of oxygen" damage is related to functions that need ATP stopping, the components that are actively transported building up in the wrong place, then production of too many nasty enzymes once oxygen is reintroduced.