Changes in Histopathology and Tumor Necrosis Factor-αLevels in the Hearts of Rats Following Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Post cardiac arrest (CA) syndrome is associated with a low survival rate in patients who initially have a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after the CA. The aim of this study was to examine the histopathology and inflammatory response in the heart during post CA syndrome. METHODS: Asphyxial CA was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats and the survival rate of the rats was determined during the post resuscitation phase. RESULTS: Survival of the rats decreased after CA: 66.7% at 6 hours, 36.7% at 1 day, and 6.7% at 2 days after the ROSC following CA. The rats were sacrificed at 6 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, and 2 days after the ROSC, and their heart tissues were examined. Histopathological scores increased at 12 hours post CA. Afterwards, the histopathological changes were not significant. In addition, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-αimmunoreactivity increased gradually after CA. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of the rats 2 days post CA was very low, even though the histopathological and inflammatory changes in the heart were not pronounced in the early stages following the CA.