Role of Terminal Warm Blood Cardioplegia as Myocardial Protection in the Use of Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Cardioplegia in Complex Congenital Heart Surgery

Terminal warm blood cardioplegia (TWBC) has been shown to enhance myocardial protection in adult patients. Even in pediatric patients, the use of cold blood cardioplegia followed by administration of TWBC will provide cardioprotective effect similar to adult patients. Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK), is attractive for cardiac surgeons because it is administered as a single dose and is claimed to offer myocardial protection for a period of up to 180 minutes allowing performance of complex procedures without interruption. Merging the use of TWBC on the use of HTK cardioplegia, especially for pediatric cardiac cases, have not been investigated. This technique is expected to provide a longer ischemic time and a protective effect against reperfusion injury.