Ischemic preconditioning protects against paraplegia after transient aortic occlusion in the rat

Ann Thorac Surg. 2000 Feb;69(2):475-9. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(99)01301-6.

Abstract

Background: Paraplegia can result from operations requiring transient occlusion of the thoracic aorta. A rat model of paraplegia with the characteristics of delayed paraplegia and transient ischemic dysfunction was developed to determine whether ischemic preconditioning (IPC) improved neurologic outcome.

Methods: Rats underwent balloon occlusion of the upper descending thoracic aorta. One group (2 minute IPC, n = 19) underwent 2 minutes of IPC and a second group (5 minute IPC, n = 19) had 5 minutes of IPC 48 hours before 10 minutes of occlusion. The control group (n = 31) had no IPC prior to 10 minutes of occlusion.

Results: Paraplegia occurred in 68% of the control animals (21 of 31 paraplegic: 6 delayed and 15 immediate paraplegia). Both the 2-minute IPC and 5-minute IPC groups had a decreased incidence of paraplegia when compared to controls (32%, p = 0.011 and 26%, p = 0.009, respectively).

Conclusions: A rat model of spinal cord ischemia demonstrating both delayed paraplegia and transient ischemic dysfunction was characterized. Both 2-minute and 5-minute periods of IPC were found to protect against paraplegia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ischemic Preconditioning*
  • Male
  • Paraplegia / prevention & control*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Spinal Cord / blood supply*