Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to demonstrate the effect of diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, as an additive to cardioplegic solution in myocardial protection. Methods: Thirty patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting on an elective basis were divided into two groups: control group and diltiazem group (n=15, each). Diltiazem was added to the blood cardioplegic solution in the diltiazem group. Mean age was 56.8+10.11 years in the control group and 60.20+10.44 in the diltiazem group. There was no difference in the extent of coronary artery disease, cross-clamp time, cardiopulmo-nary bypass (CPB) time between the two groups. Cardioplegic solution was delivered antegradely. Hemodynam-ics and blood enzyme levels were measured before and following CPB. Results: In the diltiazem group, cardiac output and cardiac index was found to be lower in postoperative 1 st and 6th hours (p Conclusion: These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of diltiazem addition to blood cardioplegic solution on myocardial protection as evidenced by lower levels of CK-MB in the postoperative period.
Keywords: Diltiazem, cardioplegia, myocardial protection