Application of cyanoacrylate adhesive (Krazy Glue) in critical cardiac injuries.
OBJECTIVE
Although small lacerations of the myocardium may be repaired easily using conventional methods, larger tears or ruptures, especially if they occur in infarcted myocardial tissue, may create formidable technical challenges. Described is a method for applying sutureless pericardial patches for control of hemorrhage.


METHODS
A sutureless pericardial patch was glued to the myocardium with commercially available household cyanoacrylate (Krazy Glue) in seven patients.


RESULTS
No patient in this series developed any evidence of mediastinal infection as a result of this technique. Six patients were discharged home without any long-term sequelae noted. One patient developed reinfarction and died of arrhythmia two weeks following surgery. Autopsy revealed that the laceration had healed and that the patch was closely adherent. Bacteriology studies revealed that different brands of cyanoacrylate are not only bacterium-free but also exhibit a bactericidal effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Sutureless pericardial patches fastened to the myocardium with cyanoacrylate glue to control hemorrhage under critical situations were easy to apply, safe and effective in this series of patients.
Eastman
D P
DP
The Carolinas Heart Institute, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Robicsek
F
F
D000269:Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000637:transplantation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D000269:Adhesives; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D006490:Hemostatics; C029054:ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate