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George M. Kroncke, MD; Ronald D. Nichols, CCP; John T. Mendenhall, MD; P. David Myerowitz, MD; James R. Starling, MD

Arch Surg. 1986;121(3):303-304.

Abstract
• In the ectotherms, or cold-blooded animals, carbon dioxide pressure decreases (Pco₂) and pH increases as body temperature falls. This tends to increase coronary blood flow and prevent fibrillation. This concept was investigated in 181 consecutive patients undergoing open heart surgery of all types. In 121 cases, endothermic (warm-blooded) temperaturecorrected normal values of pH, Pco₂, and oxygen pressure were maintained during extracorporeal circulation as the perfusate temperature was lowered to 24 °C prior to aortic crossclamping and administration of blood cardioplegia solution. In 49 patients (40%), ventricular fibrillation occurred prior to cross-clamping. In the other 60 consecutive cases, in which the ectothermic principle of cooling was applied, the Pco₂ was allowed to decrease from 50 to 40 mm Hg and the nontemperature-corrected pH rose from 7.28 to 7.42. Fibrillation occurred in only 12 (20%) of these 60 patients.

(Arch Surg 1986;121:303-304)

Author Affiliations
From the Surgical Service, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, and University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Dec 13, 1985.

Read before the Ninth Annual Surgical Symposium of the Association of Veterans Administration Surgeons, Tampa, Fla, May 9, 1985.

Reprint requests to Surgical Service, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terr, Madison, WI 53705 (Dr Kroncke).

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