Procedure

Antegrade administration of cardioplegia

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstrasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany

^* Corresponding author: ^* Tel.: +49-761-270 6138; fax: +49-761-270 2788. E-mail: siegenth{at}ch11.ukl.uni-freiburg.de

Antegrade cardioplegia remains the single most widespread mode of cardioplegia administration to protect the myocardium for cardiac surgical procedures. It is often used in combination with retrograde cardioplegia. In this article, we describe our method of antegrade blood cardioplegia administration and discuss the advantages as well as the disadvantages of antegrade cardioplegia administration.

Key Words: Antegrade cardioplegia • Cardiopulmonary bypass • Myocardial protection • Operative technique