Retrograde cardioplegia via the coronary sinus

The coronary sinus, collecting about 70% of the venous blood draining the myocardium lends itself particularly well to retrograde concepts of cardioplegia. It has been gaining wide acceptance as a safe means of access to the myocardium in the presence of atherosclerotic disease and as an important modality in providing a more homogeneous distribution of cardioplegic delivery. This article attempts to review all knowledge available on the pathophysiology of retroinfusion of cardioplegia as well as the state of the art of the technique involved. A new concept is being presented, which, in the form of antegrade delivery with postcapillary redistribution, this achieved either by pressure elevation of the venous effluent or pressure-controlled intermittent coronary sinus occlusion (PICSO), takes advantage of both antegrade and retrograde concepts. First experimental results suggest great potential for this combined approach in the effective delivery of cardioplegia.