Comparison of Plegisol and Modified ST Thomas Hospital Cardioplegic Solution in the Development of Ventricular Fibrillation after Declamping of the Aorta

Ventricular fibrillation seen just after declamping of the aorta is an undesirable condition causing myocardial injury. To return to normal rhythm, often internal shocks are applied. But defibrillation itself can also contribute to myocardial injury. So prevention of fibrillation is more important than treatment. 236 patients undergoing coronary artery by-pass surgery were included in this retrospective clinical study. 144 of those patients were operated using modified St. Thomas’ Hospital cardioplegic solution, for stopping the heart. In the other 92 patients, plegisol cardioplegic solution was used. We compared the two groups for the development of ventricular fibrilation after declamping of the aorta. In the modified St. Thomas’ Hospital group, ventricular fibrillation after declamping of the aorta was seen less frequently, this being statistically significant (22.2% vs. 52.2%, p = 0.026). This study shows that the modified St.Thomas’ Hospital cardioplegic solution is preferred for avoiding ventricular fibrillation occuring just after declamping of the aorta.