L-arginine cardioplegia reduces oxidative stress and preserves diastolic function in patients with low ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery surgery

Abstract

L-arginine cardioplegia decreases biochemical markers of myocardial damage and oxidative stress in patients with normal left ventricular function. We investigated the effects of L-arginine supplemented cardioplegic arrest in patients with reduced ejection fraction. Fifty-three adult patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <35% undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery were randomised to receive blood cardioplegia with or without L-arginine. Following cardiopulmonary bypass, measured endpoints were cardiac troponin-I concentration at 12 and 24 hours, coronary sinus concentrations of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity at five and 15 minutes, lactic acid flux at..