Evaluation of Vasodilatory Effect of Nitroglycerin in Cardioplegia Solution on Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the vasodilatory effect of nitroglycerin (NTG) in cardioplegia solution on changes in troponin I and creatine phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB) levels during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Method: A randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial was performed on 44 patients who were candidates for CABG surgery. These patients were divided into two groups. In the first group (NTG group), 3 mg/kg NTG was added to the cardioplegia solution, while 10 cc placebo (distilled water) was added to the cardioplegia solution in the second group (control group). Troponin I and CPK-MB levels were then assessed before and after the surgery.

Results: In this study, 72.7% and 27.3% of patients in the NTG group and 68.2% and 31.8% of patients in the control group were male and female, respectively. In addition, 9.1% within the age range of 40-50 years, 27.3% within the age range of 50-60 years, and 63.6% within the age range of more than 60 years were present in the NTG group. Moreover, 18.2% within the age range of 40-50 years, 36.4% within the age range of 50-60 years, and 45.5% within the age range of more than 60 years were present in the control group. Although the mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cross-clamp time was insignificantly higher in the NTG group compared to the control group. In addition, troponin I and CPK-MB levels after surgery in the NTG group with the mean of 2090.68 ± 1856.07 and 97.27 ± 38.17 were significantly lower than those of the control group with the mean of 2697.02 ± 5586.56 and 137.95 ± 227.99, respectively (P-value <0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, although troponin I and CPK-MB levels increased significantly after CABG surgery, this increase was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group following the administration of NTG.