Can heartbeat recovery be improved with terminal non-cardioplegic warm blood perfusion prior to aortic unclamping in single-clamp technique coronary artery bypass surgery? A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate whether the use of antegrade perfusion with terminal non-cardioplegic warm blood (TNWB) before aortic unclamping in single-clamp technique coronary artery bypass has a positive impact on intraoperative heartbeat recovery.

Methods: Between December 2022 and May 2023, 40 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass using single-clamp technique were randomized into one of two groups: the TNWB group received an antegrade perfusion with TNWB before removing the aortic cross-clamp (n = 20), while the control group did not receive (n = 20). The time intervals between coronary perfusion and the onset of the first heartbeats and sinus rhythms, occurrences of spontaneous sinus rhythm, intraoperative defibrillation requirements, as well as postoperative CK-MB and troponin T levels were recorded and subjected to analysis.