Question

The dissection of heart valves shall be maintained at a temperature range to prevent additional warm ischemia and potential cellular damage. Methods shall be employed to maintain the tissues or solutions at the following temperature range.

a. 1-10°C
b. 2-10°C
c. 10-20°C
d. <20°C

Answer 1

a. 1-10°C. The correct temperature range to maintain dissected heart valves to prevent warm ischemia and cellular damage is likely between 1-10°C, as this aligns with practices used in controlled hypothermia during open-heart surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The dissection of heart valves must be maintained within a specific temperature range to prevent warm ischemia and potential cellular damage. Controlled hypothermia is a technique used during procedures such as open-heart surgery. It involves cooling the body and/or organs to significantly reduce their metabolic rate, which in turn decreases the risk of injury from a lack of blood supply

. During open-heart surgery, after the patient is placed under medication to prevent shivering, the body is cooled down, and the heart is stopped, with a heart-lung pump maintaining circulation. The heart itself is then cooled to a temperature below 15°C (60°F).

Considering this information, the temperature range to maintain dissected heart valves to prevent additional ischemia and cellular damage is likely to be between 1-10°C, option a). This falls within the range used to preserve heart tissues during transport and surgery to safeguard their viability and function.