A flexible system for combined retrograde and antegrade delivery of blood or crystalloid cardioplegic solution

A flexible but simple cardioplegic delivery system has been designed that offers the advantages of alternating antegrade and retrograde delivery or blood and crystalloid (Plegisol? solution) cardioplegia to optimize myocardial preservation. Initial antegrade delivery of crystalloid cardioplegic solution achieves rapid cardiac arrest while subsequent retrograde delivery with blood cardioplegia improves myocardial protection due to uniform distribution of the solution. Occasionally, temporary transferral from blood to crystalloid is indicated to clarify the surgical field. This system is designed to allow the repeated rapid switching from crystalloid to blood cardioplegia or vice versa using the antegrade or retrograde routes.