JASMINE Veterinary Cardiovascular Medical Center Yokohama, Japan
Mitral valve repair (MVR) is a modality of treatment that is of use in cases of advanced myxomatous mitral valve degeneration. Myocardial protection techniques have yet to be well researched and standardized in veterinary medicine. Recently, del-Nido cardioplegia has been reported as a new technique that reduces the complications of open-heart surgery in humans. It is unique due to its calcium-free nature, and the addition of lidocaine to the cardioplegic solution. Nevertheless, there are no reports focusing on the use of this solution in veterinary medicine. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the utility of del-Nido cardioplegia with conventional techniques in MVR. This study comprised of a prospective investigation of dogs that underwent MVR. Thirty dogs were randomly divided into two groups, Groups C and D. Group C underwent MVR using the conventional method, which involved the use of St. Thomas’ solution with 50% blood. Group D used a modified del-Nido cardioplegic solution, which was calcium free. It contained 20% blood, lidocaine (125 mg/L), and potassium (approximately 30 mEq/L). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of operative time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or aortic clamping time during the procedure. In all cases, no ventricular fibrillation was observed following declamping. However, the time from declamping to the return of sinus rhythm was shorter in group D. In conclusion, both techniques in this study facilitated the safe performance of MVR, but the group that underwent del-Nido cardioplegia was observed to have a smoother resumption of sinus rhythm following surgery.
