Transitioning to Del Nido cardioplegia for all-comers: the next switching gear?

BACKGROUND: Exclusive use of Del Nido cardioplegia administration in all adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery has been studied for operative, postoperative and myocardial protection outcomes. METHODS: From November 2016 to October 2017, Del Nido cardioplegia was used in 131 consecutive patients (DN group). Using a propensity score, DN group was compared to 251 patients having received intermittent cold blood cardioplegia (CB group). RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar in DN and CB groups. Operative outcomes were statistically different (p < 0.0001): cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (DN 105.9 ± 46.5, CB 131.2 ± 38.8); aortic cross-clamp time (DN 80.8 ± 35.5, CB 102.2 ± 31.3); operative time (DN 203.1 ± 65.0, CB 241.5 ± 54.7); total cardioplegia volume (DN 1328 ± 879, CB 3773 ± 1226); and peak glycemia on CPB (DN 8.2 ± 2.3, CB 9.0 ± 1.8). No statistical differences were noted in intensive care unit stay, hospital stay and hospital death. Myocardial protection outcomes were similar: discharge left ventricular ejection fraction (DN 52 ± 11, CB 51 ± 10); Troponin levels at the end of the surgery (DN 871 ± 1623, CB 1958 ± 854), day 1 (DN 853 ± 1139, CB 993 ± 8234) and day 4 (DN 442 ± 540, CB 463 ± 317). CONCLUSION: Del Nido cardioplegia use in all adult cardiac surgeries is associated with improved surgical efficiency. The design of larger trials including adults combined cardiac procedures and emergencies is needed.