Del Nido Cardioplegia Should Be Used in All Adults Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Con

MYOCARDIAL PROTECTION is critical to the conduct of complex cardiac surgery. Key components to successful myocardial preservation rely on reducing the metabolic rate of the heart through hypothermia and a potassium-induced diastolic arrest. Delivering cardioplegia to the coronary arterial tree results in a reduction in myocardial oxygen consumption, and an added benefit is the creation of cardiac stasis, so that the heart is motionless while the surgeon is working. Formulations that include variable ratios of blood to crystalloid and differing electrolyte and drug additives to stabilize the membrane potential have existed since the 1950s.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Pro and Con Source Type: research