What defines warm cardioplegia and a benefit?

• A. The heart is cooled to 95 degrees F.
• B. The body temperature remains at baseline; decreases postoperative complications.
• C. The body temperature rises above normal.
• D. It does not affect postoperative outcomes.

Answer: (B)

Warm cardioplegia uses a solution that is warmed to near normal body temperature, with the patient kept at baseline temperature during the arrest period. This normothermic approach helps preserve myocardial metabolism and reduces injury when blood flow is restored, leading to quicker recovery of heart function after reperfusion and fewer postoperative complications. So keeping temperature at baseline and seeing a reduction in complications aligns with the concept of warm cardioplegia. Cooling the heart to a cooler temperature describes cold cardioplegia, raising temperature above normal isn’t the goal of this technique, and saying there’s no effect on outcomes ignores the protective benefits of normothermic protection.