BackgroundPolymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) contribute to reperfusion injury. Because volatile anesthetics can reduce PMN adhesion in the reperfused, nonworking heart, the authors analyzed whether this action of volatile anesthetics affects cardiac performance after ischemia and reperfusion and further clarified the underlying mechanism.MethodsIsolated guinea pig hearts perfused with crystalloid buffer and performing pressure‐volume work were used. Hearts were subjected to 15 min global ischemia and 20 min reperfusion. In the intervention groups an intracoronary bolus of 3 x 106PMNs was applied in the second min of reperfusion, either in the absence or presence of 0.5 or 1 minimum alveolar concentration sevoflurane or isoflurane. The number of sequestered PMNs was calculated from the difference between coronary input and output (coronary effluent) of PMNs. Performance of external heart work, determined pre‐ and postischemically, served as criterion for recovery of myocardial function. Additionally, the expression of the integrin CD11b on the cell surface of PMN was measured before and after coronary passage.ResultsInjection of PMN in the reperfusion phase, but not under nonischemic conditions, reduced recovery of external heart work significantly (from 55 +/‐ 7% to 19 +/‐ 11%). Addition of sevoflurane or isoflurane in concentrations of 0.5 and 1 minimum alveolar concentration to the perfusate reduced postischemic PMN adhesion from 36 +/‐ 8% to basal values (20 +/‐ 7%) and prevented decline of cardiac function. CD11b expression on PMNs increased significantly during postischemic coronary passage under control conditions. Again, both anesthetics in both concentrations inhibited that activation.ConclusionsVolatile anesthetics reduce PMN adhesion in the reperfused coronary system and thereby preserve cardiac function. Reduced expression of the adhesion molecule CD11b on PMNs in the presence of sevoflurane or isoflurane is, at least in part, responsible for the cardioprotective effect.