Background: Obtaining an optimal surgical result depends on performing a technically proficient operation while protecting the heart from potential damage. Cardioplegia is an essential component in myocardial protection during aortic cross-clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass. The development of cardioplegia solutions is one of the major advances in cardiac surgery that allowed surgeons to extend the period of ischemic arrest to well over 3 hours to perform complex surgical procedures without adversely affecting myocardial functio).
Aim of the work: We sought to compare between two specific modalities of myocardial protection using either intermittent ante-grade cold blood cardioplegia or warm blood cardioplegia.
Patients and Methods: This prospective study included 200 successive adult patients who have undergone elective on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operations. Randomization was done immediately before the beginning of the operation so that group allocation was blinded to the patient. Participants were recruited between 14 January 2017 and 10 July 2019 at Mahalla Cardiac Center. All patients were thoroughly evaluated preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards bypass and cross clamp times. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards spontaneous defibrillation. There were no significant differences in both groups regarding the needed either inotropic support, or an IABP to achieve weaning. The total period of mechanical ventilation was statistically shorter in the warm group compared to the cold group.
Conclusion: We found that there was no difference in the clinical effect of warm or cold blood cardioplegia despite the relative increase in postoperative serum cTnI in the warm cardioplegia group. Both strategies appear to allow a comparable and satisfactory method for myocardial protection during the period of cardiac arrest.