WARM BLOOD CARDIOPLEGIA

Course overview

THE CURRENT GOLD STANDARD OF CARDIAC SURGICAL MYOCARDIAL PROTECTION IS THE ADMINISTRATION OF CARDIOPLEGIA. THE OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE OF THE CARDIOPLEGIA SOLUTION IS A TOPIC OF DEBATE. EARLY CARDIOPLEGIC METHODS USED COLD CRYSTALLOID SOLUTIONS TO INDUCE AND MAINTAIN CARDIAC ARREST DURING HEART SURGERY. ALTHOUGH HYPOTHERMIA HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF DECREASING MYOCARDIAL OXYGEN DEMAND, IT HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR IMPAIRING THE HOMEOSTATIC PROCESSES OF THE MYOCARDIUM. NORMOTHERMIC OR WARM-BLOOD CARDIOPLEGIA PROVIDES A METABOLICALLY BALANCED MILIEU FOR THE MYOCARDIUM AND HELPS IN THE RESUSCITATION OF ENERGY-DEPLETED MYOCARDIUM. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND OUTLINES THE ROLE OF WARM BLOOD CARDIOPLEGIA AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN EVALUATING AND TREATING PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS.