Cardioplegia without fibrillation or defibrillation in cardiac surgery.

A group of 176 patients undergoing cardiac surgery utilizing a technique of rapid core hypothermic cardioplegia with a hyperosmotic solution is presented. A cold, 2 to 4 degrees C hyperosmotic (396 mOsm) perfusate, injected under pressure, induced cardiac arrest without fibrillation within 2 to 4 seconds in every instance. At the end of each procedure, flushing of the cold solution out of the coronary system re-establishes spontaneous normal sinus cardiac rhythm in 96% (119 of 124) of coronary surgical procedures, 69% (11 of 16) of aortic valve replacements, 62% (10 of 16) of mitral valve replacements, 55% (five of nine) of aortic valve replacements combined with multiple coronary grafting, 57% (four of seven) of mitral valve replacement combined with multiple coronary grafting, and in 50% (two of four) of double valve replacements. Combined core and topical hypothermia with ice slush used in valve replacements and combined valve with coronary operations allowed periods of total ischemia up to 134 minutes without signs of detectable myocardial damage.