Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Oct;33(4):604-609. 10.4097/kjae.1997.33.4.604.

Does Heparin Reduce Neurologic Injury in Rabbits That Occurs From Air Emboli?

• Ryu KH
• Park CJ
• Kim SN
• Cho JH
• Kim ES
• Lee YK
• Hong YH
• Kim CS

• KMID: 2237715
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.33.4.604

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.

Keyword

Animals, rabbit; Brain, impairment; Pharmacology, heparin; Embolism, air

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Embolism, Air
Endothelium
Heparin*
Rabbits*
Heparin