Dysrhythmias following coronary artery surgery. A comparison between cold cardioplegic and intermittent ischaemic arrest (32 degrees C) with the effect of right coronary endarterectomy.

Dysrhythmias, particularly of supraventricular origin, are an important cause of morbidity following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study compared the incidence of dysrhythmias in patients undergoing CABG using either cold crystalloid cardioplegia or intermittent ischaemic arrest (32 C). We conclude that the incidence correlated well with right coronary endarterectomy irrespective of the technique of myocardial preservation employed and to the exclusion of other variables.