Feasibility of myocardial pH-monitoring during heart surgery under conditions of cardioplegic ischemia

The first results of the use of pH-monitoring of the myocardium with a Khuri monitor (Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation) are presented. Before aorta clamping, the pH changes depended on the initial degree of damage to the examined myocardial segment. pH-Monitoring enabled urgent modification of the cardioplegia protocol, which helped to normalize pH and to prevent severe postoperative complications. The thermometric and pH-metric data were compared with the results of clinical and morphological studies. pH-monitoring made it possible to control myocardial vitality during the surgical intervention.