Organ arrest, protection and preservation
The present invention relates to a method for arresting, protecting and/or preserving an organ which includes administering effective amounts of (i) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist and (ii) local anaesthetic to a subject in need thereof. The present invention also relates to a method for arresting, protecting and/or preserving an organ which comprises adding a composition which includes effective amounts of (i) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist and (ii) a local anaesthetic to the organ. The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical or veterinary composition which includes effective amounts of (i) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist and (ii) a local anaesthetic.
1. A method for arresting a heart of a subject in need of heart surgery including the step of exposing the heart to effective amounts of:
(i) a compound chosen from a potassium channel opener, a potassium channel agonist and an adenosine receptor agonist; and
(ii) a local anaesthetic;
under conditions sufficient for the heart to be arrested.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein compounds (i) and (ii) are administered separately.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein compounds (i) and (ii) are administered in a single dose or a series of doses.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein compounds (i) and (ii) are administered by continuous or intermittent delivery.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein compound (i) is mixed with blood prior to administration.
6. A method according to claim 5 , wherein compound (i) is adenosine.
7. A method according to claim 6 , having an adenosine concentration of 0.05 to 5 mM.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein compound (ii) is mixed with blood prior to administration.
9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein compound (ii) is lignocaine.
10. A method according to claim 9 , having a lignocaine concentration of 0.05 to 5 mM.
11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein compounds (i) and (ii) are mixed with blood prior to administration.
12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein the potassium concentration is about 4 to about 6 mM.
13. A method according to claim 11 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier further includes magnesium of up to about 20 mM.
14. A method for protecting a heart of a subject during heart surgery including the step of exposing the heart to effective amounts of:
(i) a compound chosen from a potassium channel opener, a potassium channel agonist and an adenosine receptor agonist; and
(ii) a local anaesthetic;
under conditions sufficient for the heart to be protected.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein compounds (i) and (ii) are administered separately.
16. A method according to claim 14 , wherein compounds (i) and (ii) are administered in a single dose or a series of doses.
17. A method according to claim 14 , wherein compounds (i) and (ii) are administered by continuous or intermittent delivery.
18. A method according to claim 14 , wherein compound (i) is mixed prior to administration with blood.
19. A method according to claim 18 , wherein compound (i) is adenosine.
20. A method according to claim 19 , wherein adenosine is administered at 0.001 to 10 mg/mm/kg.
21. A method according to claim 14 , wherein compound (ii) is mixed prior to administration with blood.
22. A method according to claim 21 , wherein compound (ii) is lignocaine.
23. A method according to claim 22 , wherein lignocaine is administered at 0.0001 to 20 mg/mm/kg.
24. A method according to claim 14 , wherein compounds (i) and (ii) are mixed with blood prior to administration.
25. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the potassium concentration is about 4 to about 6 mM.
26. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable further carrier includes magnesium of up to about 20 mM.
27. A method for arresting a heart of a subject in need of heart surgery including the step of exposing the heart to effective amounts of:
(i) adenosine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and
(ii) lignocaine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
under conditions sufficient for the heart to be arrested, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is blood of the subject.
28. A method for protecting a heart of a subject during heart surgery including the step of exposing the heart to effective amounts of:
(i) adenosine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and
(ii) lignocaine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
under conditions sufficient for the heart to be protected, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is blood of the subject.