Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011; 59(7): 411-415
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1270991
Original Cardiovascular

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Nitroglycerin Cardioplegia Effect on Coronary Artery Targets in Bypass Grafting

G. Baslaim1 , A. Jamjoom1 , I. Al-Githmi1 , F. Al-Malki2
  • 1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • 2Perfusion Service, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Further Information

Publication History

received Nov. 29, 2010 resubmitted Dec. 16, 2010

accepted Dec. 22, 2010

Publication Date:
20 April 2011 (online)

Abstract

Background: Coronary artery targets are essential for referral acceptance to achieve complete coronary revascularization. Patients and Methods: A prospective double-blind study was carried out to determine whether the addition of nitroglycerin to cold blood hyperkalemic cardioplegia would optimize the size and number of coronary artery targets during conventional coronary bypass grafting. Results: A total of 60 adult elective coronary artery bypass grafting cases were enrolled; 30 in group N (nitroglycerin added to cardioplegia) and 30 in group C (controls). The number of bypassed vessels ranged from 2 to 5 with a mean of 3.63. In a comparison between groups N and C, the average number of grafts per patient (3.67 ± 0.77 vs. 3.67 ± 0.92); the average performed/predicted ratio for coronary artery bypass grafting targets (0.96 ± 0.18 vs. 1.02 ± 0.31); and the average intraoperatively measured luminal diameter of the bypassed coronary artery targets (1.55 ± 0.23 vs. 1.51 ± 0.23) showed no significant difference between the two groups, except that the luminal diameter of the obtuse marginal II artery was larger in group C compared to group N (p = 0.037). Conclusions: The addition of nitroglycerin to cardioplegia did not show any benefit, either quantitatively or qualitatively, for optimizing coronary artery bypass grafting targets.

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Dr. Ghassan Baslaim, MD

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center

MBC-J 16, P. O. Box 40047

21499 Jeddah

Saudi Arabia

Phone: +966 26 67 77 77 ext. 6 52 34

Fax: +966 26 67 77 77 ext. 6 58 22

Email: baslaim@kfshrc.edu.sa