Comparison of Single-Dose Cardioplegia in Valvular Heart Surgery: Lactated Ringer’s-Based del Nido vs. Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Cardioplegia Solution

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated myocardial protection and clinical outcomes when using lactated Ringer’s solution as the base solution for del Nido cardioplegia compared with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution in valvular surgery. METHODS: From January 2017 to May 2018, 71 adult patients who underwent valvular surgery with del Nido cardioplegia (n=37) or HTK cardioplegia (n=34) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Patients’ characteristics were comparable between groups. Postoperative peak troponin T levels were similar. The del Nido group had a decreased incidence of ventricular fibrillation after aortic cross-clamp removal (13.51 vs. 55.88%; P<0.001), lower total volume of cardioplegia administered (1,000 [1,000, 1,250] vs. 1,800 [1,500, 2,000] mL; P<0.001), shorter hospital stay (6 [5, 8] vs. 7 [6, 10] days; P=0.03), and less postoperative red cell transfusion (34.29 vs. 61.11%; P=0.024). There is no difference in aortic cross-clamping time, postoperative change in left ventricular ejection fraction, intensive care unit stay, duration of inotropic support, new onset of atrial fibrillation, in-hospital mortality, complications, and three-year overall survival rate. CONCLUSION: Lactated Ringer’s-based del Nido cardioplegia can be safely used for valvular surgery with acceptable clinical outcomes compared to HTK cardioplegia.