title: Composition of cardioplegic solutions used in nine medical centers.
abstract: Eleven institutions that participated in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) were surveyed to obtain information about the types of cardioplegic solutions used at these institutions. A short-answer questionnaire designed to obtain specific information about the composition and method of preparation of cardioplegic solutions was sent to each institution. Institutions that did not reply within four weeks were sent a second questionnaire. Nine institutions returned completed questionnaires. Four institutions used several different cardioplegic solutions, resulting in a total of 14 evaluable solutions. Six hospitals used a chemical-based cardioplegic solution, one used a blood-based solution, and two used a combination of blood and chemicals as a cardioplegic-solution base. Chloride and potassium were found in all 14 solutions, although the amounts varied widely. Dextrose was included in eight of the nine chemical-based solutions, and bicarbonate and sodium were each used in seven of the nine solutions. Centers using chemical-based cardioplegic solutions compounded them daily or froze them with a one-week expiration date; blood-based solutions had to be prepared daily. Although interinstitutional differences in dosage were evident, the cardioplegic solutions used in the institutions participating in the CASS had many similar components. Data on the composition of these solutions can be used as a guideline for developing a cardioplegic solution.
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000032:analysis*; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000032:analysis*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D006324:Heart Arrest, Induced; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000032:analysis*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000032:analysis*; D012996:Solutions; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D012996:Solutions; C041711:St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D008274:Magnesium; D002122:Calcium Chloride