Protection from reperfusion-induced arrhythmias by polyethylene glycol 600

The effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 600 on cardiovascular parameters and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias were investigated using a 5-min period of ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion in an anaesthetized open-chest rat model. PEG 600 was effective in reducing reperfusion arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Mortality was decreased from 29.4% (5/17) in the saline-control to 0% (0/14) in the PEG-treated group (P < 0.05). Biochemical investigations during the ischaemia/reperfusion period revealed that PEG infusion resulted in a reduction of cardiac lactate as well as a striking maintenance of the glutathione content of the heart.