title: Technique and pitfalls of retrograde continuous warm blood cardioplegia.
abstract: The recent development of normothermic myocardial preservation and systemic perfusion during bypass has questioned the fundamental need for hypothermia during cardiac operations. The antegrade technique of almost continuous perfusion by the aortic root and vein grafts has been supplemented by continuous normothermic blood cardioplegia through the coronary sinus. Recently, great interest has been shown in this technique. It is important to describe the method in detail along with its potential shortcomings and dangers. This communication describes the technical details, pitfalls, and shortcomings of retrograde continuous warm blood cardioplegia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Christakis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Houck
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Barrozo
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Fremes
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cusimano
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Lichtenstein
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood; D006324:Heart Arrest, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans