Protection of the spinal cord from ischemia: comparative effects of levosimendan and iloprost.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate and compare iloprost and levosimendan on spinal cord ischemia in an experimental model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done in two stages. For the 4-hour short survival study, 50 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into five groups. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by clamping the aorta just below the left renal artery and just proximal to the aortic bifurcation with bulldog artery clamps. The aortic clamps were removed after 40 min and restoration of blood flow was verified visually. The groups were analyzed at 1 and 4 h after reperfusion. For the 48-hour survival study, two different groups (iloprost plus levosimendan, n = 10; saline-treated controls, n = 10) were analyzed at 24 and 48 h after reperfusion.

RESULTS: The neurologic status of the animals in the treatment and sham groups was better than that in the control group both at 1 and 4 h after reperfusion. Viability index values in the levosimendan, iloprost and iloprost plus levosimendan groups were statistically higher than in the control group indicating less or no neuronal damage.

DISCUSSION: The results suggest that levosimendan, as well as iloprost, may reduce ischemic damage in transient spinal ischemia and provide better neurologic outcome.