Emergency management for critical left main coronary artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Increased experience and improvements in technology seem to have encouraged the use of percutaneous interventions for left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusions. There is no consensus, however, and the data are inadequate on whether surgery or percutaneous procedures should be the intervention of choice for critical occlusions. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2006, 108 patients with unprotected LMCA stenosis >80% were treated at our center. Eighty-three patients (77%) underwent bypass grafting and 20 (18%) underwent percutaneous intervention for the purpose of myocardial revascularization. We analyzed parameters demonstrated as risk factors for myocardial revascularization and their predicted effects on outcome. RESULTS: Five patients (5%) died following emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation before any intervention was performed. The early survival rate was 84.1% in the coronary bypass group and 63% in the percutaneous intervention group. The mean (±SD) survival time was 55.7 ± 2.6 months in the bypass group and 7.6 ± 1.3 months in the percutaneous group. The late-survival rate was also significantly higher in the bypass group. The mean late-survival time was 44.5 ± 3.6 months in the bypass group and 2.3 ± 0.8 months in the percutaneous group. CONCLUSION: Although emergency percutaneous interventions are lifesaving in some cases, these results clearly demonstrate that coronary bypass grafting should be the intervention of choice for myocardial revascularization in patients with critical LMCA occlusion.

Results of treatment methods in cardiac arrest following coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Emergency re-revascularization and invasive/noninvasive interventions in intensive care unit (ICU) are two main treatment methods in cardiac arrest following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We evaluated the short- and long-term consequences of these two methods and discussed the indications for re-revascularization. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2004, a total of 148 CABG patients, who were complicated with cardiac arrest, were treated with emergency re-revascularization (n = 36, group R) and ICU procedures (n = 112, group ICU). Re-revascularizations are mostly blind operations depending on clinical/hemodynamic criteria. These are: no response to resuscitation, recurrent tachycardia/fibrillation, and severe hemodynamic instability after resuscitation. Re-angiography could only be performed in 3.3% of the patients. Event-free survival of the groups was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Events are: death, recurrent angina, myocardial infarction, functional capacity, and reintervention. RESULTS: Seventy percent of patients, who were complicated with cardiac arrest, had perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI). This rate was significantly higher in group R (p = 0.013). The major finding in group R was graft occlusion (91.6%). During in-hospital period, no difference was observed in mortality rates between the two groups. However, hemodynamic stabilization time (p = 0.012), duration of hospitalization (p = 0.00006), and mechanical support use (p = 0.003) significantly decreased by re-revascularization. During the mean 37.1 +/- 25.1 months of follow-up period, long-term mortality (p = 0.03) and event-free survival (p = 0.029) rates were significantly in favor of group R. CONCLUSION: Better short- and long-term results were observed in the re-revascularization group.

Comparison of unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion at 16 degrees C and 22 degrees C systemic temperature.

OBJECTIVES: Unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion can be performed with minimal manipulations to arch arteries, but whether it provides adequate brain perfusion remains unclear. Some authors believe that this technique can be inadequate without deep hypothermia. We investigated the reliability of unilateral cerebral perfusion at 22 degrees C hypothermia and the advantages of avoiding deep hypothermia. METHODS: Study participants were 55 patients who underwent surgery with unilateral cerebral perfusion. Patients were divided into 2 groups; 18 patients underwent surgery at 16 degrees C hypothermia (group I) and 37 patients at 22 degrees C hypothermia (group II). The mean age of the patients was 59 +/- 10 years in group I and 55 +/- 14 years in group II. Supracoronary ascending aorta replacement was performed in 25 and hemiarch replacement in 15 patients. Nine patients underwent surgery for a Bentall procedure. Total arch replacement was performed in 4 patients and total thoracic aorta replacement in 2 patients. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 11% in group I and 5.4% in group II (P = .59). Transient neurologic deficits were not detected in any of the patients. The rate of permanent neurologic deficits was 5.9% in group I and 2.8% in group II (P = .54). Although mean aortic cross-clamp and antegrade cerebral perfusion times were not significantly different, mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in group I than group II (174 +/- 38 vs 142 +/- 37 minutes, P = .005). Postoperative bleeding, blood product usage, serum creatinine and hepatic enzyme level changes, inotrope usage, and arrhythmia occurrence were not different between the 2 groups. Mean mechanical ventilation time was longer in group I than group II (24 +/- 17 vs 16 +/- 6 hours, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion at 22 degrees C systemic hypothermia appears to be safe and reliable for brain protection. Advantages of this technique are avoidance of deep hypothermia and reduced cardiopulmonary bypass and mechanical ventilation times in patients undergoing aortic surgery.

Does the circadian rhythm of melatonin affect ischemia-reperfusion injury after coronary artery bypass grafting?

BACKGROUND: Melatonin is a potent scavenger of free radicals and an antioxidant. We studied the relationship between the protective effect of melatonin against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) during cardiopulmonary bypass, the plasma level of melatonin, and the time of surgery. METHODS: Forty patients who were to undergo elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were divided into 2 groups, those who underwent their operations at 8 AM (group I; n = 20) and those who underwent their operations at 1 PM (group II; n = 20). The operations were carried out by the same surgical team and with the same standard surgical technique. Blood samples were collected before the operation (T1), when the aortic cross-clamp was removed (T2), and at 4 hours (T3) and 24 hours (T4) after the operation. RESULTS: Preoperative plasma levels of melatonin were substantially higher in group I than in group II. Intraoperative and postoperative melatonin levels were also significantly higher in patients who underwent their operations in the morning. The 2 groups had similar preoperative levels of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and interleukin 8; however, intraoperative and postoperative values were lower in group I for all samples. This difference was statistically significant for both markers. Plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase were significantly lower in group I. The 2 groups had similar aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times. Preoperative and postoperative troponin I levels were lower in group I than in group II, but these differences were not statistically significant. The 2 groups showed no significant differences in plasma creatine kinase MB levels for either preoperative or postoperative measurements. CONCLUSION: High plasma levels of melatonin may be directly related to low levels of IRI markers. Melatonin may have a protective effect against IRI in CABG. This effect seems to be directly correlated with the plasma levels of melatonin and inversely related with light. If melatonin protects myocardium from IRI, additional studies may be planned for the preoperative use of melatonin in patients with coronary artery disease to improve myocardial protection.

Primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma of the right atrium: case report.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of the heart that accounts for 20% of all primary malignant neoplasms of the heart. Symptoms vary in accordance with the location of the mass; unfortunately, by the time the patient becomes symptomatic, the tumor has already metastasized to other organs. Diagnosis is frequently obtained via transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Surgery is indicated for malignant cardiac neoplasms to relieve cardiac symptoms and to prolong patient survival. Subsequent postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy is necessary, and the long-term prognosis is poor. We present a case of a primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma that arose from the lateral wall of the right atrium and required implantation of a permanent cardiac pacemaker after surgery.

Safety of unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion at 22 degrees C systemic hypothermia.

BACKGROUND: The superiority of antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) in aortic surgery is widely accepted, but the sufficiency of unilateral cerebral perfusion and the optimal systemic temperature during the operation are still controversial. METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent operation with unilateral ACP at a systemic temperature of 22 degrees C between January 2005 and September 2007 were included in this study. The mean age (+/-SD) of the patients was 58 +/- 11 years, and 21 (70%) of the patients were male. The indication for surgery was acute type A aortic dissection in 14 patients (47%), degenerative aortic aneurysm in 9 patients (30%), dissecting aortic aneurysm in 6 patients (20%), and intramural hematoma in 1 patient (3%). Supracoronary ascending aorta replacement was performed in 13 patients (43%). Eight patients (27%) underwent ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement. The Bentall procedure was performed with hemiarch replacement in 3 patients (10%). Three patients (10%) underwent total aortic arch replacement, and 2 patients (7%) underwent the Bentall procedure. The ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta were replaced in 1 patient (3%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was limited to 1 patient (3.3%). A permanent or transient neurologic deficit was not detected in any of the survivors. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamp, and ACP times were 144 +/- 40 minutes, 82 +/- 28 minutes, and 30 +/- 11 minutes, respectively. The mean mechanical ventilation time was 18 +/- 9 hours. The mean stay in the intensive care unit was 2.3 +/- 1.1 days, and the mean hospital stay was 12 +/- 6 days. CONCLUSION: Unilateral ACP with systemic hypothermia at 22 degrees C is safe and has satisfactory clinical results. Establishing ACP via cannulation of the right axillary artery is fast and simple. The presence of fewer cannulas in the operation field provides an operative condition as convenient as the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest technique.

New use of teflon to reduce bleeding in modified bentall operation.

We analyzed the postoperative short- and mid-term outcomes of a series of patients with annuloaortic ectasia who underwent a modified Bentall operation in our clinic from September 2000 through March 2006. The study included 44 patients. Their average age was 53.4 +/- 14.1 years. The underlying disease was degenerative aortic aneurysm in 42 patients (95.5%) and acute aortic dissection in 2 patients (4.5%). Six patients (13.6%) had Marfan phenotype. Aortic insufficiency was moderate in 30 patients (68.2%) and severe in 14 patients (31.8%). In our modification of the Bentall technique, we completed the resection of the aortic root while leaving 5 to 10 mm of native aortic wall tissue to support the anastomosis. A long piece of Teflon felt (width, 0.5-1 cm) was laid on the annulus, and nonpledgeted 2-0 polyester sutures were passed in turn through the Teflon felt, the preserved aortic tissue, and the aortic annulus. A thin piece of Teflon felt was also used in the coronary artery reimplantation sites. Fibrin glue was routinely applied to all anastomoses. There were no intraoperative deaths. One patient died in the hospital after surgery for acute type I aortic dissection. Another patient died 1 year after the operation from prosthetic-valve endocarditis. No patient required surgical correction of excessive postoperative bleeding. Kaplan-Meier curves showed overall survival of 0.94 (95% confidence intervals, 0.9-0.99). We consider our approach an easy, effective way to minimize bleeding from the anastomoses and at the aortic root--a common challenge in aortic surgery.

Late open conversion in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm after endovascular repair.

Despite technological advances, the long-term outcomes of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) are still debatable. Although most endograft failures after EVAR can be corrected with endovascular techniques, open conversion may still be required. A 70-year-old male patient presented at the emergency unit with abdominal pain. Twice, in the third and fourth years after the first repair, a stent graft had been placed over a non-adhesive portion of the stent graft due to type Ia endoleaks. In the most recent admission, a CT scan showed type III endoleak and ruptured aneurysm sac. On this occasion the patient underwent late open conversion. The failure was repaired with total preservation of the main endovascular graft body and interposition of a bifurcated dacron graft. This case demonstrates that lifelong radiographic surveillance should be considered in this subset of patients. Late open conversion following EVAR of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms can be performed safely.

Apesar dos avanços tecnológicos, os desfechos de longo prazo do reparo endovascular de aneurismas da aorta abdominal (endovascular aortic aneurysm repair ­ EVAR) ainda são objeto de debate. Embora a maioria das falhas de endoenxerto após EVAR possam ser corrigidas com técnicas endovasculares, conversão para cirurgia aberta ainda pode ser necessária. Um paciente de 70 anos de idade, do sexo masculino, apresentou-se no serviço de emergência com dor abdominal. Duas vezes, dois e quatro anos após o primeiro reparo, um enxerto foi colocado sobre uma porção não adesiva do stent devido a endoleak tipo Ia. Na mais recente hospitalização, a tomografia computadorizada mostrou endoleak tipo III e ruptura de um saco aneurismático. Nesta ocasião, o paciente foi submetido a conversão tardia para cirurgia aberta. A falha foi tratada com preservação total do corpo principal do enxerto endovascular e interposição de um enxerto tipo Dacron bifurcado. Este caso demonstra que a vigilância radiográfica ao longo de toda a vida deveria ser considerada nesse subgrupo de pacientes. Conversão tardia para cirurgia aberta após EVAR de aneurismas rotos da aorta abdominal pode ser realizada com segurança.

Effects of different cardioplegic solutions on nitric oxide release from coronary vasculature in diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different cardioplegic solutions on nitric oxide (NO) release from coronary vasculature in patients with type II diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing elective CABG surgery were randomized to be given crystalloid (Group 1) or blood (Group 2) cardioplegia. Aortic and coronary sinus blood samples were taken at three different time periods and the release of NO from the coronary vasculature was determined by measuring its stable end-products, nitrite and nitrate. The difference between the aortic and coronary sinus concentrations of nitrite and nitrate represents the amount of NO released by coronary vascular bed. RESULTS: Before application of aortic cross-clamp, at T1 period, the levels of nitrite/nitrate from the coronary vasculature were similar in both groups (6.53+/-1.21 microM vs 6.07+/-1.24 microM , p>0.05). However after the removal of cross-clamp, a significant decrease in NO was observed in Group 1 as compared with Group 2 (4.21+/-0.73 microM vs 4.92+/-1.02 microM, p<0.01) . This decrease persisted at T3 period, after 30 minutes of reperfusion in group 1 being significantly different from group 2 (3.86+/-0.49 vs 4.37+/-0.72 microM, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that in patients with type II diabetes mellitus crystalloid cardioplegia causes a decrease in the release of NO from coronary vascular bed during aortic cross-clamp and reperfusion period whereas more physiologic blood cardioplegia did not. Our findings indicate that blood cardioplegia protects endothelial function better than crystalloid cardioplegia in diabetic patients.

Late open conversion in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm after endovascular repair / Conversão tardia para cirurgia aberta em um aneurisma roto da aorta abdominal após reparo endovascular

Abstract Despite technological advances, the long-term outcomes of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) are still debatable. Although most endograft failures after EVAR can be corrected with endovascular techniques, open conversion may still be required. A 70-year-old male patient presented at the emergency unit with abdominal pain. Twice, in the third and fourth years after the first repair, a stent graft had been placed over a non-adhesive portion of the stent graft due to type Ia endoleaks. In the most recent admission, a CT scan showed type III endoleak and ruptured aneurysm sac. On this occasion the patient underwent late open conversion. The failure was repaired with total preservation of the main endovascular graft body and interposition of a bifurcated dacron graft. This case demonstrates that lifelong radiographic surveillance should be considered in this subset of patients. Late open conversion following EVAR of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms can be performed safely.

Resumo Apesar dos avanços tecnológicos, os desfechos de longo prazo do reparo endovascular de aneurismas da aorta abdominal (endovascular aortic aneurysm repair - EVAR) ainda são objeto de debate. Embora a maioria das falhas de endoenxerto após EVAR possam ser corrigidas com técnicas endovasculares, conversão para cirurgia aberta ainda pode ser necessária. Um paciente de 70 anos de idade, do sexo masculino, apresentou-se no serviço de emergência com dor abdominal. Duas vezes, dois e quatro anos após o primeiro reparo, um enxerto foi colocado sobre uma porção não adesiva do stent devido a endoleak tipo Ia. Na mais recente hospitalização, a tomografia computadorizada mostrou endoleak tipo III e ruptura de um saco aneurismático. Nesta ocasião, o paciente foi submetido a conversão tardia para cirurgia aberta. A falha foi tratada com preservação total do corpo principal do enxerto endovascular e interposição de um enxerto tipo Dacron bifurcado. Este caso demonstra que a vigilância radiográfica ao longo de toda a vida deveria ser considerada nesse subgrupo de pacientes. Conversão tardia para cirurgia aberta após EVAR de aneurismas rotos da aorta abdominal pode ser realizada com segurança.

Unusual metastasis of the papillary thyroid adenocarcinoma.

Floating thrombus in the ascending aorta is rare and its association with papillary thyroid adenocarcinoma has not been documented. We report a case of a 64-year-old man who was referred to our emergency unit because of suspected type A aortic dissection. Computerized tomographic and transthoracic echocardiographic scans revealed a floating thrombus in the aneurysmatic ascending aorta. The thrombus was removed with the dilated aorta. Although the aortic wall was macroscopically normal, histologic examination revealed metastatic papillary adenocarcinoma.

Risk factors for posterior ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement: results of 2560 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Posterior ventricular rupture is a rare and fatal complication of mitral valve surgery. This study is designed to define the risk factors for left ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement and, especially, to find out if posterior leaflet preservation is protective for posterior ventricular rupture. METHODS: Between January 1996 and March 2007, 2560 patients underwent mitral valve replacement operation in our hospital. Risk factors for posterior ventricular rupture were studied with chi(2) and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The surgery was complicated with posterior ventricular rupture in 23 (0.8%) of 2560 patients. Nineteen patients (82.6%) were female, four patients (17.4%) were male. Mean age of the patients in this group was 60+/-10. Mortality rate of the patients with posterior ventricular rupture was 86% (20 patients). Twelve patients with posterior ventricular rupture were at the age of 60 and older. Age of 60 and above was found as a highly significant risk factor for posterior ventricular rupture (OR 4.53, 95% CI 1.98-10.38, p<0.001). Posterior leaflet was preserved in 513 patients (20%) and posterior ventricular rupture did not occur in these patients. Resection of posterior leaflet was also found as a highly significant risk factor (p=0.008) for posterior ventricular rupture. Reoperation was performed in 372 patients and posterior ventricular rupture occurred in 7 of them. Reoperation was also found as a significant risk factor (OR 2.563, 95% CI 1.03-6.34, p=0.042) for posterior ventricular rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Extreme annular traction and aggressive decalcification should be avoided during mitral valve resection. Posterior leaflet of the mitral valve should be preserved, especially in the older age group to prevent posterior ventricular rupture.

[The role of multislice tomography to prevent postoperative strokes related with atherosclerotic plaques in the ascending aorta after coronary artery bypass]. / Koroner baypas operasyonu sonrasi assandan aorttaki aterosklerotik plaklara bagli inmenin önlenmesinde çok kesitli tomografinin rolü

OBJECTIVE: Atheromatous plaques in the ascending aorta are major risk factors for strokes caused by macroembolization after coronary artery surgery. Detection of plaque formations and changes in the surgical strategy are very important. This study was planned to compare value direct palpation and multislice computerized tomography to establish aortic plaques and to establish clinical predictors of aortic calcification. METHODS: Fifty-four patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery were included in this prospective and diagnostic study. Proximal portion of each patient's aorta was evaluated with multislice computerized tomography and was compared with direct palpation. The efficacy of intraoperative palpation to predict calcifications was studied with ROC analysis and the predictors of aortic plaque formation were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Atheromatous plaques were detected with palpation in four patients (7.4%), and with multislice tomography in six patients (11.1%). The aortic instrumentation was changed in two patients (3.7%) and strategy was changed in one patient 1.8%). According to the ROC analysis, when multislice computerized tomography was taken as the reference, intraoperative direct palpation was 67% sensitive and 100% specific to predict aortic plaques. Logistic regression analysis of the risk factors showed that the older age was the only significant risk factor (OR-1.3, 95% CI -1.114-1.568, p=0.001) for plaque formation in the aorta. Neither stroke nor other neurological disorders have been observed during the study. CONCLUSIONS: It can be stated that multislice computerized tomography is more effective to show aortic plaques, but it is not sufficient. Multislice tomography may give additional information about the ascending aorta and the opportunity to visualize the aortic arch. It can be preferred in patients with aortic aneurysm or dissection.

Effect of coexisting Paget's disease on coronary artery bypass operations.

Paget's disease of the sternum is rare. In patients with sternal Paget's disease, sternotomy, and harvesting of internal mammary arteries may reveal problems because of a thickened sternum and substernal adhesions. Saphenous vein graft or other arterial grafts may be used. Especially in younger patients who received saphenous vein graft, a repeat revascularization operation, because of earlier saphenous vein graft degeneration, may be needed in subsequent years. During the repeat operation, opening and reclosing the chest will still be a major problem. In appropriate patients, an operation through a thoracotomy or noninvasive balloon and/or stent techniques may be good choices.

Cardioprotective effect of aprotinin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury during cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Aprotinin is a serine protease inhibitor used extensively in cardiac operations to reduce postoperative bleeding. It also has cardioprotective effects in ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, the effects of aprotinin on the release of cardiac markers were evaluated in patients who had good ventricular function and were undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty male patients with an ejection fraction >or=40%, were randomized into either an aprotinin (Group-I; n=40) or control (Group-II; n=40) group. Patients in the aprotinin group received the full Hammersmith doses of aprotinin (2 x 10(6) KIU pre-CPB, 2 x 10(6) KIU at pump prime, 500,000 KIU/h during CPB), whereas the patients in the control group received only saline solutions. Cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) levels were measured before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at postoperative 6(th), 12(th), 24(th) h and 5(th) day. Creatine kinase (CK)-MB measurements were performed at the same time except for the postoperative 5(th) day. Cardiac index (CI), mixed venous oxygen saturation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurements were also performed. CONCLUSION: Although all patients were in reasonable condition, less myocardial enzyme leakage occurred on the aprotinin group, suggesting that aprotinin has a protective effect on the myocardium beyond that achieved with blood cardioplegia and systemic hypothermia. Because of aprotinin's effects on multiple targets of metabolism, its protective value might increase in more complicated cases.

The relationship between the method of cardioplegia and vascular endothelial cell derived soluble adhesion molecules in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The relative role of different adhesion molecules in the ischemia-reperfusion injury after cardioplegic arrest in the clinical setting is unknown, because of protective effects of cardioplegia and hypothermia. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the method of the cardioplegia and endothelial derived soluble adhesion molecules; soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in myocardial ischemia- reperfusion injury. Fourteen male patients who underwent aortocoronary bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were included in this study. They were randomised to be given blood or crystalloid cardioplegia for myocardial protection. Group I (n=7) received blood cardioplegia and group II (n=7) received crystalloid cardioplegia. The cross-clamp times were not significantly different between the two groups, 49.4+/-4.6 min for group I and 54.8+/-2.5 min for group II. Mean age of patients was 58+/-2.1 years for group I and 54+/-2.6 years for group II. Blood samples were taken from both the aorta and coronary sinuses of all patients before cross-clamp, after cross-clamping and at 30th min of reperfusion. Plasma were obtained from blood samples and then stored at -70 degrees C. sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels were measured by ELISA in the samples. There were no significant differences in the levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 at the beginning of reperfusion and at 30th min of reperfusion in coronary sinus of group I patients. But, increased sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were observed at 30th min of reperfusion in blood taken from coronary sinuses of group II patients compared with beginning of reperfusion (respectively p=0.01, p=0.03). In conclusion, these results have shown that ischemia-reperfusion injury is more likely to occur in patients protected by crystalloid cardioplegia, and suggest that blood cardioplegia may be preferred especially in borderline myocardial functioned patients.