BACKGROUND: Midazolam is a frequently used benzodiazepine in anaesthesiology and intensive care. AIM: The aim of pilot study was to monitor its effect during heart perfusion in the laboratory rat. METHODS: The same groups of animals (n = 10). The 1(st) group was treated with midazolam in a dose of 0.5mg/kg i.p. The 2(nd) group was a placebo. After i.p. administration of heparine injection of 500 IU dose, the hearts were excised and perfused (modified Langendorf's method). Working schedule: stabilization/ischaemia/reperfusion proceed at intervals of 20/30/60 min. Monitored parameters in isolated heart: left ventricle pressure (LVP), end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), contractility (+dP/dt(max)). RESULTS: The treated hearts showed improved postischemic recovery, reaching LVP values of 92 +/- 6 % at the end of the reperfusion, placebo only 61 +/- 7 %. In placebo hearts LVEDP rose from 10.0 +/- 0.5 mmHg to 43 +/- 4 mmHg after, in treated animals only about 25 mmHg. The treated hearts improved +dP/dt(max) recovery during reperfusion to 91 +/- 8 %. These values were significantly greater than those obtained from the placebo hearts. CONCLUSIONS: Positive changes in monitored parameters were found in this experimental pilot study. We conclude that the administration of midazolam in laboratory rats has a cardioprotective potential against ischemia-reperfusion induced injury.

Department of Physiology Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University Olomouc Czech Republic

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