"Polarizing" microplegia improves cardiac cycle efficiency after CABG for unstable angina.

Background: Myocardial protection during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for unstable angina (UA) still represents a major challenge, ought to the risk for further ischemia/reperfusion injury. Few studies investigate the biochemical, hemodynamic and echocardiographic results of microplegia (Mic) in UA.

Methods: Eighty UA-patients undergoing CABG were randomized to Mic (Mic-Group) or standard 4:1 blood Buckberg-cardioplegia (Buck-Group).

Leukocyte filtration of blood cardioplegia attenuates myocardial damage and inflammation.

Objectives: Leukocyte filtration of blood cardioplegia (cLkF) is postulated to reduce ischaemia-reperfusion myocardial injury. Contradictory results have been published and few studies have addressed perioperative cytokine leakage and haemodynamic status after LkF.

Methods: Thirty patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement were randomized to cLkF (cLkF-Group) or to standard cold blood cardioplegia (S-Group).