Custodiol-HTK Solution Vs. Conventional Cardioplegia for Myocardial Protection During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Following Recent ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK), Bretschneider’s, or Custodiol is an intracellular crystalloid cardioplegic solution which is claimed to offer single shot cardioplegia for myocardial protection during complex cardiac procedures for up to 3 h. We aimed to compare the clinical outcome of early coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using blood cardioplegia vs. Custodiol solution for myocardial protection in patients with recent ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Materials and Methods: This prospective comparative study included 100 patients with recent STEMI who underwent early CABG at our institution between January 2019 and December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 50) received blood cardioplegia and group B (n = 50) received Custodiol-HTK crystalloid cardioplegia. Results: There were non-significant differences in postoperative mortality and complication rates between both the groups except for significantly higher proportion of post-operative arrythmias after Custodiol cardioplegia (26% vs. 8%, P = 0.01). Custodiol was associated with significantly lower levels of blood troponin and higher levels of blood lactate for 6 h after CABG. Custodiol results in significantly shorter durations of mechanical ventilation (11.98 ± 4.03 vs. 18.28 ± 8.84 h, P < 0.001) and intensive care unit (ICU) stay (70.04 ± 14.80 vs. 80.20 ± 19.91 h, P = 0.01), with non-significantly shorter duration of post-operative hospital stay (7.98 ± 2.76 vs. 9.24 ± 3.41 days, P = 0.06). Conclusion: Custodiol as a single shot without interruption of the operative technique offers shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay than blood cardioplegia, with more acceptable levels of post-operative troponin in high-risk patients who underwent early CABG for recent STEMI.