Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Standardized Technique of Aortic Valve Re-implantation for Valve-sparing Aortic Root Replacement
14:14

Standardized Technique of Aortic Valve Re-implantation for Valve-sparing Aortic Root Replacement

Published on: December 11, 2017

Low-volume, single-shot crystalloid cardioplegia is safe for isolated aortic valve replacement

Peter Matt1, Emilio Arbeleaz, Goetz Schwirtz

  • 1Clinic for Cardiac Surgery Basel, Heart Surgery Center Basel-Bern, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel, Switzerland. pmatt@uhbs.ch

The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
|December 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This study found that low-volume cardioplegia (Cardioplexol) is safe and effective for aortic valve replacement (AVR). It simplifies the procedure with low mortality, though longer cross-clamp times slightly increased myocardial damage markers.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Cardiac Anesthesia
  • Cardioplegia Delivery

Background:

  • Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a common cardiac surgery.
  • Effective myocardial protection during AVR is crucial.
  • Current cardioplegia techniques vary in volume and administration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low-volume, single-shot crystalloid cardioplegia (Cardioplexol) during isolated AVR.
  • To assess intraoperative events and postoperative myocardial damage markers.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 61 consecutive patients undergoing isolated AVR.
  • Administration of 100 mL single-shot crystalloid cardioplegia (Cardioplexol).
  • Monitoring of intraoperative course, postoperative Troponin T and CK-MB levels, and 30-day mortality.

Main Results:

  • Cardioplexol induced immediate cardiac arrest in all patients.
  • Intraoperative courses were uneventful.
  • Postoperative myocardial damage markers (Troponin T, CK-MB) were low, with a slight increase correlated with cross-clamp time.
  • 30-day mortality was 3% and attributed to noncardiac causes.

Conclusions:

  • Low-volume, single-shot crystalloid cardioplegia (Cardioplexol) appears safe and effective for isolated AVR.
  • The technique simplifies and potentially shortens the surgical procedure.
  • Further studies may explore optimal cross-clamp durations with this cardioplegia method.

More Related Videos

Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots12:17

Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots

Published on: May 21, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management01:25

Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is when the aortic valve does not close or seal properly, leading to backward blood circulation from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. Common causes of AR include rheumatic heart disease, congenital valve defects, and aortic root dilation. Managing AR requires a multifaceted approach to alleviate symptoms, preserve left ventricular function, and address the underlying cause of the regurgitation. Patients with symptomatic AR or significant left...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia01:16

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

Intravenous regional anesthesia or the Bier block technique is used to anesthetize a specific limb or extremity. It uses exsanguinated or blood-drained vessels to transport local anesthetics or LAs to the peripheral nerve trunks. Lidocaine without vasoconstrictors like epinephrine is most commonly used for this technique. Other drugs used are prilocaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine. Bupivacaine is not recommended for this technique due to its high cardiac toxicity.
One of the advantages of...