Randomized trial comparing intermittent antegrade warm blood cardioplegia with multidose cold blood cardioplegia for coronary artery bypass.

Forty patients were randomized to receive antegrade multidose warm (WBC) or cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) during coronary artery bypass. Cardioplegia was infused at a predetermined dose every 10 min during cardioplegia arrest and core temperature was maintained at 37 degrees C in both groups during extracorporeal circulation. Patient profiles were similar in the two groups. Cardiac index, left ventricular stroke work index, and myocardial oxygen consumption were measured before bypass and during the first 7 h of reperfusion. There was no significant difference in myocardial metabolic and function recovery, the incidence of myocardial infarction, low cardiac output or death. Our data suggests that similar protection is provided with the two techniques of myocardial protection.