Cold aortic flush after ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest reduces inflammatory reaction but not neuronal loss in the pig cerebral cortex

Lisa Barones; Wolfgang Weihs; Alexandra Schratter; Andreas Janata; Petra Kodajova; Helga Bergmeister; Lukas Kenner; Michael Holzer; Wilhelm Behringer; Sandra Högler

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-95611-9

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Title (eng)

Cold aortic flush after ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest reduces inflammatory reaction but not neuronal loss in the pig cerebral cortex

Author

Lisa Barones

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Wolfgang Weihs

Alexandra Schratter

Andreas Janata

Petra Kodajova

Helga Bergmeister

Lukas Kenner

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Michael Holzer

Wilhelm Behringer

Sandra Högler

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Abstract (eng)

This study aims to retrospectively compare two resuscitation methods (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) vs. emergency preservation and resuscitation (EPR)) by pathohistologically assessing pig brains in a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest (VFCA) model. In prospective studies from 2004 to 2006, swine underwent VFCA for 13 (n = 6), 15 (n = 14) or 17 (n = 6) minutes with ECPR (ECPR13, ECPR15 and ECPR17). Another 15 min VFCA group (n = 8) was resuscitated with EPR and chest compressions (EPR15 + CC). Brains of animals surviving for nine days (ECPR13 n = 4, ECPR15 n = 2, ECPR17 n = 1, EPR15 + CC n = 7) were harvested. Eight different brain regions were analyzed with the image analysis software QuPath using HE-staining, GFAP- and Iba1-immunohistochemistry. Only ECPR13 and EPR15 + CC animals were included in statistical analysis, due to low survival rates in the other groups. All VFCA samples showed significantly fewer viable neurons compared to shams, but no significant differences between ECPR13 and EPR15 + CC animals were observed. ECPR13 animals showed significantly more glial activation in all cerebral cortex regions compared to shams and in occipital, temporal and parietal cortex compared to EPR15 + CC. In conclusion, EPR + CC resulted in a significantly reduced inflammatory reaction in cerebral cortex compared to ECPR but did not influence the extent of neuronal death after VFCA.

Keywords (eng)

AnimalsVentricular Fibrillation TherapyVentricular Fibrillation PathologyVentricular Fibrillation ComplicationsHeart Arrest TherapyHeart Arrest PathologyCerebral Cortex PathologyCerebral Cortex MetabolismSwineCardiopulmonary Resuscitation MethodsNeurons PathologyInflammation PathologyDisease Models, AnimalAortaCold Temperature

Type (eng)

journal article

Language

[eng]

Persistent identifier

https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4080

DOI

10.1038/s41598-025-95611-9

Is in series

Title (eng)

Scientific Reports

Volume