Does Heparin Reduce Neurologic Injury in Rabbits That Occurs From Air Emboli? |
Keon Hee Ryu, Cheol Joo Park, Sung Nyeon Kim, Jong Ho Cho, Eun Sung Kim, Yoon Ki Lee, Young Ho Hong, Chang Sung Kim |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND Neurological injury after cerebral air embolism may be due to thromboinflammatory responses at sites of air-injured endothelium. Because heparin inhibits multiple thromboinflammatory processes. we hypothesized that heparin would decrease neurological impairment after cerebral air embolism.
METHODS Anesthetized rabbits received either heparin (n=14) or saline (n=13), 5 minutes before air injection (150 microliter/kg). Heparin was given as a 200 IU/kg bolus and followed by a constant infusion of 75 IU/kg/h for 2 hours.
Equal volumes of salines were given to saline group. Two hours later, anesthesia was discontinued. Rabbits were neurologically evaluated 24 hours after air embolism.
RESULTS Heparin group had significantly less neurological impairment at 24 hours (34 14) than saline controls (52 8) (p=0.0013).
CONCLUSIONS When given prophylactically, heparin decreases neurological impairment caused by severe cerebral arterial air embolism. |
Key Words:
Animals, rabbit; Brain, impairment; Pharmacology, heparin; Embolism, air |
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