Uptake and distribution of a labeled fatty acid in a canine model of ischemia with and without reperfusion

The relationship between regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) and the regional distribution of 15-(4-iodophenyl)-9-methyl pentadecanoic acid (9-MPDA) was studied in a canine model of myocardial ischemia with and without reperfusion. Group 1 dogs received 135 min of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion; Group 2 dogs received 90 min of LAD occlusion and 45 min of reflow; and Group 3 dogs received 90 min of LAD occlusion and 3.5 hr of reperfusion. All animals received 9-MPDA 15 min prior to sacrifice, and tracer microspheres prior to occlusion, 5 and 80 min after occlusion, 15 min after reperfusion, and 15 min before the end of reperfusion. In Group 1 (permanent ischemia), 9-MPDA distribution was closely correlated with RMBF both 5 and 80 min after occlusion. In Group 2, 9-MPDA uptake was most closely correlated with reperfusion RMBF rather than ischemic RMBF. However, in 1 animal with good reperfusion, 9-MPDA uptake was reduced and was correlated with ischemic blood flow measured 5 min after occlusion. In Group 3, 9-MPDA uptake was correlated with RMBF measured during the ischemic period and not with reperfusion RMBF. It appears that 9-MPDA uptake is determined by RMBF when flow is limited, or early in reperfusion. With prolonged reperfusion, 9-MPDA uptake is significantly reduced in the ischemic zone in the presence of normal flow. This finding implies that the uptake of this fatty acid during reperfusion is related to myocardial damage (myocardial metabolism?) and not to RMBF