Gradual Reperfusion in Cardioplegia-Induced Cardiac Arrest
This study explores the potential benefits of gradual reperfusion in cardiac surgery patients experiencing cardioplegia-induced cardiac arrest, aiming to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury. Fifty elective cardiac surgery patients were randomized into two groups: a hyperoxemic control group with conventional reoxygenation and a normoxemic study group with gradual reoxygenation. Results showed that gradual reperfusion was safe but did not significantly reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury compared to standard methods, although potassium levels were lower in the normoxemic group.