The effect of aspartate and glutamate enriched blood cardioplegia on myocardial nitric oxide production and left ventricular function was assessed on twenty patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafing. Routine blood cardioplegia was used in 10 patients (control group), glutamate and aspartate enriched blood cardioplegia was in the other 10 (study group). Cardioplegia was introduced antegradely and blood samples were collected through coronary sinus catheter for nitric oxide (NO) and enzyme levels. Hemodynamic measurements were done before and following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The mean age was 61.3 ± 2.1 and 57.6 ± 2.4 years in the study and control group, respectively. The number of distal anastomosis, cross-clamp and times were similar between the two groups. Although NO leels were found to be higher in the study group, it did not reach statistical significance. There was no statistical difference in enzyme levels between the two groups, as well. However, hemodynamic measurements showed better left ventricular function in the study group (p < 0.05).

In conclusion, glutamate and aspartate enriched blood cardioplegia may be an alternative method for myocardial protection in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, in reoperations and in cardiac repairs necessitating longer aortic cross-clamp times.
Key words: Aspartate and glutamate, nitric oxide, left ventricular function.

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