Cardioplegia practice in paediatric cardiac surgery: a UK & Ireland survey.
Nigel E DruryAngela HorsburghRehana BiRobert G WillettsTimothy J JonesPublished in: Perfusion (2018)
This survey demonstrates heterogeneity in cardioplegia practice. Whilst most surgeons use blood cardioplegia, there is variation in type, temperature, topical cooling, dosing and intervals. Combined with a lack of evidence from late phase trials, our findings support the presence of clinical equipoise. Surgeons are willing to change practice, suggesting that a pragmatic, multi-centre, randomised, controlled trial of cardioplegia in children is feasible.