Original Article

The Effects of Venous Cannulation Technique and Cardioplegia Type on Plasma Potassium Concentration and Arterial Blood Pressure during Cardiopulmonary Bypass

^* Address corrspondence to: E. T. Coleman, ACP, Cardiothoracic Theatre, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland. E-mail: eointc2@eircom.net

Received: 25 February 2001
Accepted: 7 May 2001

Abstract

The cannulation method and cardioplegia solution used during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may both influence plasma potassium concentrations ([K+]) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Bi-caval or right atrial cannulation methods are routinely used in conjunction with crystalloid or blood cardioplegia. We investigated the influence of cannulation method and cardioplegia solutions on plasma [K+] and MAP during cardiopulmonary bypass. Sixty consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using CPB were studied. They were randomly divided into three groups of 20 patients. Patients in Group A underwent bi-caval venous cannulation and received crystalloid cardioplegia. Group B patients underwent right atrial cannulation and received crystalloid cardioplegia. Group C patients underwent right atrial cannulation and received blood cardioplegia. In each case, cardioplegia was administered antegrade via the aortic root. Plasma [K+], MAP, and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were measured over an 8-min period following cardioplegia administration (pilot studies indicated pressure changes occuring post cardioplegia administration up to this time). The combination of bi-caval cannulation and crystalloid cardioplegia (Group A) was associated with the least increase in plasma [K+] and no decrease in MAP. The maximum [K+] for this Group was 4.2 mmol/L (4.6% increase). The minimum mean pressure was 57 mmHg (13.6% increase). Both right atrial cannulation groups (B and C) showed a large rise in plasma [K+] and a decrease in MAP. Group B maximum [K+] was 5.2 mmol/L (27.5% increase), Group C was also 5.2 mmol/L (26.0% increase). Group C showed the largest pressure decrease, the minimum mean pressure was 45 mmHg (21.3% decrease). The Group B minimum mean pressure was 45 mmHg (8.7% decrease). Our results show that patients undergoing CPB operations who are deemed to be at increased risk of suffering adverse effects from hypotensive episodes may benefit from bicaval cannulation and caval snaring, in preference to right atrial cannulation. Crystalloid cardioplegia may be preferable to blood cardioplegia in these cases to maintain the MAP.