There are several ways of protecting the myocardium against ischaemia and reperfusion during and after cross clamping of the aorta. The damage is related to more how the hear is protected than how long the aorta cross clamped. Safe duration of time with cold cardioplegic perfusion is prolonged to approximately 4 hours. Decompression and electromechanical arresting of the ventricle offers an acceptable decrease of the energy demand of the myocardium. The aim of the hot shot perfusion is to protect the myocardium against the potential of the heat shock after declamping.

To invastigate the cellular effects of the hot shot we performed this study in Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine in 32 consecutive CABG patients between April 1995 and May 1996. Blood samples from coronary sinus and myocardial tissue samples from the right atrial free wall were obtained and the quantification of the free oxygen radicals and activity of the scavenger enzymes were measured.

Cellular damage was lower in the hot shot group and sacavenger enzyme activity was also better in those patients.