1. Improved myocardial protection with blood and crystalloid cardioplegia
Richard D. Weisel, M.D., Stephen E. Fremes, M.D., Ronald J. Baird, M.D., Joan Ivanov, R.N., M.Mindy Madonik, B.Sc., Donald A.G. Mickle, M.D. 
Journal of Vascular Surgery 
Volume 1, Issue 5, Pages (September 1984)
DOI: / (84)
Copyright © 1984 Society for Vascular Surgery and North American Chapter, International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery Terms and Conditions

2. Fig. 1
The long cross-clamp cardioplegic technique is depicted with crystalloid (left) and blood (right) cardioplegia. In the crystalloid group cold potassium cardioplegia (CPC) was delivered at 4° C. In the blood group a crystalloid solution was mixed with oxygenated blood (from the systemic reservoir) in a 2:1 ratio, cooled with a pediatric heat exchanger, and delivered at 10° C with a roller pump. Following the initial infusion (1 L), the temperature in the most ischemic regions (left anterior descending [LAD] and right coronary artery [RCA]) was warmer than in the least ischemic region (circumflex [CIRC]). The proximal anastomoses were constructed following the distal anastomoses to the most ischemic regions. To prevent air from entering the aortic root during construction of the proximal anastomosis, a cold potassium cardioplegic solution was delivered into root by gravity in both groups. Subsequent cardioplegic infusions eliminated temperature gradients between the most and least ischemic regions, but myocardial temperatures were warmer in the blood than the crystalloid groups.
Journal of Vascular Surgery 1984 1, DOI: ( / (84) )
Copyright © 1984 Society for Vascular Surgery and North American Chapter, International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery Terms and Conditions