Determination of regional myocardial blood flow using fluorescent microspheres.

Determination of blood flow in tissues at risk for infarction is necessary for in vivo studies of the pathologic effects of vascular occlusion. Such blood flow measurements are traditionally carried out using radioactive microspheres. These are expensive and may pose a significant hazard to laboratory personnel.

Reduction of myocardial infarct size by poloxamer 188 and mannitol in a canine model.

Poloxamer 188 has been reported to inhibit thrombosis, decrease whole blood viscosity, and improve perfusion of damaged tissue. Mannitol has free radical scavenging capabilities that might contribute to myocardial salvage after ischemia. Because these agents appear to work in different ways, we studied their cardioprotective properties when they were used separately and in combination.