OPTIMAL MYOCARDIAL PRESERVATION - COOLING, CARDIOPLEGIA, AND CONDITIONING

Myocardial preservation techniques have evolved in conjunction with ca rdiac surgery and currently offer substantial protection against myoca rdial injury. We propose that cardiac preconditioning, a robust, endog enous mechanism of cardioprotection, is emerging as an important adjun ct to current cardioplegic techniques. By reviewing the physiologic ba sis for current cardioplegic strategies, and understanding the cardiop rotective benefits of pre-conditioning, we postulate that cardiac prec onditioning may represent an important, clinically accessible componen t of myocardial protection.