Introduction: Del Nido (DN) cardioplegia was invented specially for pediatric cardiac surgery in the 1990s and has longer ischaemic time (less redosing) than ST Thomas cardioplegia (ST).

Aim of Study: To evaluate the safety/efficacy of DN over ST for adult cardiac surgery.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 100 adult patients who underwent CABG/MVR/DVR/AVR. Patients were divided in 2 groups: group 1- who received DN cardioplegia (n=50) and group 2- who received ST cardioplegia (n=50). Cross clamp time (X clamp time), cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPB time), ionotropic support and post cross clamp defibrillation rates were analysed.

Results: The aortic cross clamp and bypass times were shorter with DN than ST (91.94±34.16 vs 106.44±32.63 and 126.26±37.50 vs 139.84±37.84, p value <0.05 respectively).  ST group needed higher ionotropic support than DN group (14.62±3.83 vs 11.42±2.84, p value< 0.05). DN group showed significant reduction in Post X clamp defibrillation rate than ST group (5 vs 15, p value<0.05).

Conclusion: DN reduces X clamp and CPB time over ST , and less ionotropic support and post X clamp removal defibrillation is required when using DN in adult cardiac surgery.

Keywords: Del nido, ST Thomas, cardioplegia, adult cardiac surgery.

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Dr Sumanta Das

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