Antegrade Versus Continuous Retrograde del Nido Cardioplegia in the David I Operation

Xuan Jiang1, Tianxiang Gu1, Enyi Shi1

  • 1Department of Cardiac Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Insights

Both antegrade and retrograde del Nido cardioplegia are safe for the David I operation. Retrograde delivery showed a higher rate of temporary heart block but lower lactate levels.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Cardiac Anesthesia
  • Cardiothoracic Medicine

Background:

  • The effectiveness of continuous retrograde del Nido cardioplegia for myocardial protection remains debated.
  • This study investigates the hypothesis that antegrade and retrograde cardioplegia provide comparable safety in the David I procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the safety and efficacy of antegrade versus retrograde del Nido cardioplegia in patients undergoing the David I operation.
  • To evaluate myocardial protection strategies in aortic valve repair/replacement.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 33 patients undergoing the David I operation.
  • Comparison of outcomes between antegrade and retrograde del Nido cardioplegia administration.
  • Follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 15 months.

Main Results:

  • No hospital mortality or reoperation occurred in either group.
  • Similar cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic clamp times, Troponin I, CKMB, LVEF, ventilation, ICU, and hospital stay durations were observed.
  • The antegrade group had higher lactate levels (p=0.01), while the retrograde group showed a higher incidence of temporary atrioventricular block (26.7% vs 0%, p=0.019), with only one patient requiring a permanent pacemaker.

Conclusions:

  • Both antegrade and retrograde del Nido cardioplegia are safe and effective for the David I operation.
  • Continuous retrograde del Nido cardioplegia is associated with a higher incidence of temporary atrioventricular block, which typically resolves without permanent pacing.
  • Retrograde delivery resulted in lower lactate levels compared to antegrade delivery.
Abstract