Evaluation of the effectiveness of glutamine in different times of administration in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass during elective cardiac surgeries: randomized controlled study

Fathi, Heba M.; Mowafy, Samar M.; Helmy, Khalid M.

doi:10.4103/ejca.ejca_4_16

Evaluation of the effectiveness of glutamine in different times of administration in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass during elective cardiac surgeries: randomized controlled study

Authors

Abstract

Background
Although glutamine (GLN) is considered one of the pharmacological preconditioning proteins in cardiac surgeries, there is no consensus in literatures regarding the ideal time of administration. This randomized, double-blinded comparative study compared the effectiveness of GLN administration at two different time points in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
Patients and methods
A total of 75 patients were randomly distributed into three equal groups: group 1 received GLN for 3 days preoperatively, group 2 received GLN at the day of surgery starting at the induction of anesthesia, whereas group 3, the control group, did not receive GLN.
Results
There was a significant decrease in troponin I at 6, 24, and 48 h (=0.03, 0.02, and 0.04, respectively), creatine kinase-MB at 24 and 48 h (=0.04 and 0.04, respectively), incidence of inotrope usage (=0.019), incidence of arrhythmias (=0.02), and ICU stay (=0.04), whereas significant increase in ejection fraction and blood pressure in GLN-treated groups (groups 1 and 2). The time of administration did not significantly affect the results between group 1 and group 2.
Conclusion
GLN enhances myocardial protection. The time of administration did not significantly affect the results, so administration at induction of anesthesia is well tolerated and feasible.

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