Del Nido cardioplegia in low risk adults undergoing first time coronary artery bypass surgery

Single-dose del Nido cardioplegia has been used in the pediatric population for many years. Only a small amount of data exists about its use in adult cardiac surgery. We sought to compare the outcomes of all patients undergoing coronary artery bypass, using our 4:1 blood cardioplegia versus single-dose 1:4 del Nido cardioplegia, at our institution.

Data were retrospectively reviewed from all patients during 2 consecutive years (2013-2014). We switched our cardioplegia protocol from 4:1 blood cardioplegia to exclusively 1:4 single-dose del Nido cardioplegia in early 2014. A total of 408 patients were evaluated. Two hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients underwent coronary artery bypass using blood cardioplegia and 159 using del Nido Cardioplegia.

Cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, in-hospital mortality and length of stay were similar (p>0.05): 63 ± 23 vs. 65 ± 21 min, 50 ± 20 vs. 52 ± 20 min, 0.8% vs. 0.6% and 6.4 ± 3 vs. 5.8 ± 3 days, respectively. For secondary outcomes: patients requiring defibrillation was 105/249 (42%) vs. 13/159 (8%) (p<0.0001), blood transfusion was required in 96/249 (38%) vs. 48/159 (30%) (p<0.085), total volume administered was 1139mL vs. 813 mL per case (p<0.0001), hematocrit change was 11.6% vs. 10.9% (p<0.04) and the mean cost per dose was $157.54 vs $5.74.

Single-dose del Nido cardioplegia is an effective and economic cardioplegia and can be used with good outcomes in coronary surgery. Most patients have spontaneous return of sinus rhythm and there is a trend towards decreased transfusion rate.