The administration of FDP before and immediately after HCA combined with embolic brain ischemic injury was associated with significantly lower brain lactate/pyruvate ratio and significantly higher levels of brain pyruvate, as well as lower lactate levels 8 hours after HCA. FDP seems to protect the brain by supporting energy metabolism. The neurological outcome was not improved, most likely resulting from the irreversible nature of the microsphere occlusion.

Autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells at the infarcted area localize in the myocardium. The exact mechanism of recovery remains to be determined, but our findings may give new information concerning the cellular events that occur during cell therapy-enhanced recovery.

The leukocyte-depleting filter succeeded in reducing the number of adherent leukocytes during the reperfusion period in an experimental operation with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Such a filter thus could mitigate cerebral reperfusion injury after cardiac surgery.