Effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 on myocardial preservation during hypothermic cardioplegic arrest.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial assigned 11 patients to receive coenzyme Q10 and 11 to receive none. Patients pretreated with coenzyme Q10 had a lower left atrial pressure and a lesser incidence of low cardiac output. They also had a wider pulse pressure. The right and left ventricular myocardial ultrastructure was better preserved in patients receiving preoperative treatment with coenzyme Q10. There was no demonstrable benefit to the atrial myocardium.