ARSLAN, A., et al, Low-Dose Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate for Myocardial Protection, Transplantation Proceedings, 37, 3219-3222 (2005)

Comparison of UW vs. HTK Solution for Myocardial Protection in Heart Transplantation H. Reichenspurner et al, Transp Int (1994) 7 (Supp 1) S481–S484

This studies aim was to investigate the protective effect of UW in heart transplant. A retrospective comparative study with Custodiol® HTK was done with 160 patients with HTK protection and 50 patients with a transplanted heart protected with UW.

A Comparison of Intracellular Solutions for Donor Heart Preservation Paul J. Hendry et al, J Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery, 1993;105:667-73

This study compared the effects of Euro-Collins, University of Wisconsin and Bretschneider’s (Custodiol® HTK) solutions with the use of an in vitro human right atrial muscle preparation to assess recovery of function after a 24-hour period of simulated cardiac arrest. Bretschneider’s solution resulted in greatly improved recovery compared to E-C and UW solutions. UW was also found to be better than E-C. Recovery of developed force was affected by temperature for EC and UW, but not for Bretschneider’s. The author noted this is of importance because uniform temperatures are seldom maintained during heart transplantation. Bretschneider’s has a very high buffering capacity, which the author speculates may be beneficial for long-term preservation.

BOTTA, L., et al, Cardiac transplantation with a donor hear rescued from deep hypothermia, The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Vol. 30, No. 10, October 2011, 1203-1204

GKOUZIOUTA, A. et al, Heart Transplantation in a Low-Organ-Donation Environment: A Single Center Experience, Transplantation Proceedings, 41, 4289-4293 (2009)

KOBER, I.M., et al, HTK vs. UW Solution for Myocardial Protection during Moderate Hypothermia, Eur. Surg. Res., 29 (1997), 264-272

KU, K., et al, Prolonged Hypothermic Cardiac Storage with Histidine Tryptophan Ketoglutarate Solution, Transplantation, Vol. 64; 971-975, No. 7, Oct. 15 1997

LEE, S. et al, Superior myocardial preservation with HTK solution over Celsior in rat hearts with prolonged cold ischemia, Surgery (2010), 148:463-73

This study evaluates the myocardial protection of Custodiol®  HTK to Celsior in cases with extended cold storage in a rat model.  The markers measured to analyze graft injury were tissue adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, as well as serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), serum troponin I, graft-infiltrating cells, graft mRNA levels for inflammatory mediators.  Results indicated that HTK was found to provide “superior protective effects against prolonged cold ischemia” in heart transplant.

LIAO, K., et al, Operative Technique in Orthotopic Heart Transplantation, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Elsevier Inc. 2004, 370-377

RENNER, A., et al, Heterotypic Rat Heart Transplantation: Severe Loss of Glutathione in 8-Hour Ischemic Hearts, Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Vol. 23, No. 9; (Sept) 2004: pp. 1093-1102

SAITOH, Y. et al, Heart Preservation in HTK Solution: Role of Coronary Vasculature in Recovery of Cardiac Function, Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000, 69:107-112

This study investigates Custodiol®  HTK versus UW in terms of protecting the coronary vasculature.  Rat hearts were arrested, stored in one of the two preservation solutions at 4 degrees Celsius for 8 hours and then reperfused.  Coronary vascular responsiveness was examined before flushing, before storage, after storage and after reperfusion.  The authors found that “HTK is superior to UW solution for cardiac preservation” by measuring pre- and post- storage ATP and ADP levels.  Additionally, recovery of AF, CF, CO, RPP and LV dp/dt were found to be significantly better in the HTK group.

SCHNEEBERGER, S. et al, Mitochondrial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of the Transplanted Rat Heart: Improved Protection by Preservation Versus Cardioplegic Solutions, Shock, Vol. 00, No. 00, pp. 00-00, 2008

SCHRÖDER, C. et al, Preclinical evaluation of coronary vascular function after cardioplegia with HTK and different antioxidant additives, European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, 31 (2007) 821-826

SHAYAN, H. et al, Lung Transplant, Double Valve Repair and Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm Resection, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2012, 93: e3-5

SZABO, G. et al, Custodiol-N, A Novel Organ Protection Solution Protects Against Myocardial and Endothelial Reperfusion Injury After Orthotopic Heart Transplantation, Abstract 1313, either, Cat:55, International Academy of Cardiology 15th World Congress on Heart Disease, July 25, 2010

WEI, J., et al, Successful Heart Transplantation after 13 Hours of Donor Heart Ischemia with the Use of HTK Solution: A Case Report, Transplantation Proceedings, 37, 2253-2254 (2005)

YANG, Q., et al, HTK Solution Maximally Preserves Endothelial Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor-Mediated Function During Heart Preservation: Comparison with University of Wisconsin Solution, The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Vol. 23., No. 3, (March) 2004, 352-359