Del Nido cardioplegia vs. traditional blood cardioplegia in coronary artery bypass grafting

Objective. To compare efficacy of Del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) versus conventional Calafiore warm blood cardioplegia (CBC) in patients undergoing isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Material and methods. A single-center, randomized, prospective trial enrolled 50 patients (30 male, 20 female) aged 41–87 years (mean 62.2±8.7) scheduled for on-pump CABG. Patients were randomized into two groups: the DNC group (n=25) received a single dose of Del Nido cardioplegia, while the CBC group (n=25) received intermittent Calafiore warm blood cardioplegia. Results. The DNC group demonstrated significantly shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time (73±18 vs. 84±14 min; p=0.023) and aortic cross-clamping time (44.5±13 vs. 52±12 min; p=0.021). Furthermore, peak postoperative MB fraction of creatine phosphokinase was significantly lower in this group (32±14 vs. 42±17 U/L; p=0.035). There was no significant between-group difference in postoperative ICU-stay (p>0.1). Conclusion. Del Nido cardioplegia provides effective myocardial protection in on-pump CABG. Its advantages include a single dose and myocardial protection comparable to that for conventional blood cardioplegia.