myocardial preservation
Techniques used during cardiac surgery to protect the heart muscle from ischemic injury.
Full Definition
Myocardial preservation encompasses the various strategies and techniques employed during cardiac surgery to minimize ischemic damage to the heart muscle while the heart is stopped or the coronary circulation is interrupted. Key components include hypothermia (systemic and topical cooling), cardioplegic solutions to arrest the heart in a protected state, appropriate timing of cardioplegia delivery, and minimizing cross-clamp time. Effective myocardial preservation is essential for maintaining cardiac function postoperatively and reducing perioperative morbidity.
Usage
Usage note: Interchangeable with 'myocardial protection'; specify techniques used when documenting.
In Context
- "Optimal myocardial preservation was achieved using cold blood cardioplegia and topical cooling." — Operative report
- "Poor myocardial preservation may result in postoperative low cardiac output syndrome." — Educational material