Propofol decreases reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in a model of "border zone" between normal and ischemic-reperfused guinea pig myocardium

We examined the effect of propofol on the main mechanisms involved in ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias (i.e., spontaneous arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and dispersion of repolarization) in vitro. In a double-chamber bath, guinea pig right ventricular muscle strips were subjected to 30 min of simulated ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion (altered zone; AZ) and to standard conditions (normal zone; NZ). Action potential (AP) parameters were recorded in the NZ and AZ. We studied the effects of Intralipid(R) and of propofol at 10(-6), 10(-5), and 2 X 10(-5) M on the occurrence of spontaneous sustained arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and the dispersion of repolarization. In NZ, Intralipid and propofol did not significantly modify the AP parameters. Propofol, but not Intralipid, lessened the ischemia-induced decrease in AP duration (APD) at 90% of repolarization (APD(90)) and attenuated the APD dispersion around the "border zone." Propofol did not modify the occurrence of ischemia-induced arrhythmias. Propofol 10(-6) M, but not Intralipid or propofol at 10(-5) and 2 X 10(-5) M, decreased the occurrence of ischemia-induced conduction blocks. Propofol decreased the occurrence of reperfusion-induced spontaneous sustained arrhythmias. We conclude that, in vitro, propofol attenuated the ischemia-induced APD(90) dispersion around the "border zone" and decreased the occurrence of spontaneous arrhythmias related to myocardial reperfusion injury.