Continuous warm blood cardioplegia (CWBC) was compared with cold crystalloid cardioplegia (CCC) with regard to postoperative cardiac function. 36 adult patients underwent CABG divided into two groups. The CWBC group (n=21) received continuous warm blood cardioplegia while the CCC group (n=15) received 4°C St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution. Some parameters or cardiac function, CK and CK-MB levels were measured at admission to ICU, and on the first and second postoperative day (POD) in both groups. The amount of dopamine and dobutamine were measured at admission to ICU and 6, 12, 18, 24 hours after admission to ICU in both groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic-cross clamp time and incidence of postoperative low output syndrome were similar in the two groups. The spontaneous return to sinus rhythm after aortic declamping was significantly higher in the CWBC group. The cardiac index measued at admission to ICU, 1 POD and 2 POD was significantly larger in the CWBC group. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and right atrial pressure measured at 1 POD and 2 POD were significantly lower in the CWBC group. Systemic vascular resistance measured at admission to ICU, at 1 POD and 2 POD were significantly lower in the CWBC group. Left ventricle stroke work index and left ventricle work index measured at admission to ICU were significantly larger in the CWBC group. Right ventricle stroke work index and right ventricle work index were similar in the two groups. The amount of dopamine at admission to ICU and at 6 and 12 hours after admission to ICU were significantly lower in the CWBC group. The amounts of dobutamine at admission to ICU and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours after admission to ICU were significantly lower in the CWBC group. CK levels measured at admission to ICU and at 1 POD were significantly lower in the CWBC group. CK-MB levels measured at admission to ICU, 1 POD and 2 POD were significantly lower in the CWBC group.

Continuous warm blood cardioplegia (CWBC) was compared with cold crystalloid cardioplegia (CCC) with regard to intraoperative cardiac aerobic metabolism. Thirty-six adult patients who underwent CABG were divided into two groups. The CWBC group (n=21) received continuous warm blood cardioplegia while the CCC group (n=15) received 4°C St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution. Some parameters of cardiac anaerobic metabolism were measured intraoperatively. We continuously measured the oxygen saturation of coronary sinus blood (ScsO₂) after aortic declamping until 5 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). CK and CK-MB levels were measured at admission to ICU, and on the first and second postoperative day (POD) in both groups. CPB time, aortic-cross clamp time and incidence of postoperative low output syndrome were similar in the two groups. The spontaneous return to sinus rhythm after aortic declamping was significantly higher in the CWBC group. ScsO₂ was significantly higher in the CWBC group. The lactate uptake ratio of myocardium, excess lactate and redox potential were similar in the two groups. CK and CK-MB levels were significantly lower in the CWBC group. We concluded that the CWBC group was superior to the CCC group in terms ScsO₂, CK and CK-MB levels. Other parameters of cardiac anaerobic metabolism were similar in the two groups.

Cardiac operations involving cardiopulmonary bypass can cause a systemic inflammatory response such as elevation of inflammatory cytokines, which can cause organ failure. We investigated cytokine production and its inhibition by ulinastatine in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass. Thirty-three patients received either ulinastatine (300, 000 units, intracoronary artery injection immediately after aortic closs-clamping, UTI group, n=16) or no ulinastatine (control group, n=17). Arterial blood samples were obtained at aortic closs-clamping, 5 minutes after aortic declamping, and 6, 12 and 18 hours after surgery and there were assayed for interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMNE). In addition, we examined liver function (GOT, GPT, and total bilirubin), renal function (blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine), and oxygenatory function (PaO₂/FIO₂) postoperatively. IL-8 levels at 5 minutes after aortic declamping and maximum IL-8 levels were significantly lower in the UTI group than in the control group (25.5±12.8 vs. 47.8±38.9pg/dl, p<0.05, and 28.6±13.2 vs. 58.4±40.0pg/dl, p<0.05). Blood urea nitrogen on the second post operative day (POD) and three POD and creatinine on the second POD were also significantly lower in the UTI group than the control group. Furthermore, IL-8 and PMNE levels significantly correlated positively with blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. There was significant negative correlation between IL-8 and oxygenatory function. These results shows that the ulinastatine can inhibit IL-8 levels following cardiac surgery. To combat the increase of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 after cardiopulmonary bypass, the ulinastatine should be used for anticytokine therapy to protect the kidneys, lungs, and other organs, and thereby decrease the risk of complications.

A 76-year-old woman with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection underwent replacement of the ascending aorta with the use of gelatin-resorcin-formalin glue. The patient suffered sudden cardiogenic shock at home 15 months after surgery and was admitted to the Emergency Center of our hospital. A series of examinations revealed an aortic-root pseudoaneurysm associated with anastomotic disruption. Cardiogenic shock caused by obstruction of the ascending aortic graft due to anastomotic disruption was diagnosed. An intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) was inserted, and the patient's circulatory status improved. On the following day, reanastomosis of the aortic root graft was performed. On day 32 after surgery, the patient was discharged from the hospital in good condition. IABP can stabilize circulatory status and improve cardiogenic shock in the short term in patients with an aortic-root pseudoaneurysm caused by narrowing of the graft lumen, as in the present patient. IABP may thus be a useful ancillary measure before radical operation.