Myocardial protection during neonatal cardiac surgery

Myocardial protection is of major concern in neonatal cardiac surgery where coronary ostial transfer is required as part of the surgical procedure. Retrograde coronary sinus perfusion (RCSP) of cold cardioplegic solution was evaluated in infants undergoing arterial switch operations. Hemodynamic measurements and postoperative cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were estimated in addition to transthoracic echocardiography to assess the extent of myocardial injury. The results were compared with a similar cohort of patients where ante grade selective coronary artery perfusion (ASCP) was used during coronary ostial transfer. Our experience suggests that RCSP is a useful option in this subset of patients.