Guest Editorial History and Use of del Nido Cardioplegia Solution at Boston Children’s Hospital

Abstract: Cardioplegia is an integral and essentialmethod ofmyo-cardial protection for patients of all ages requiring cardiac sur-gery in which the heart must be stopped. Numerous cardioplegia solutions and deliverymethods have been developed. The delNido cardioplegia solution has been in use for 18 years at Boston Children’s Hospital. This is a unique four parts crystalloid to one part whole blood formulation that is generally used in a single-dose fashion.Although the formulationwas originally developed for use in pediatric and infant patients, its use for adult cardiac surgery has been expanding. National and international inquiries to our institution regarding this cardioplegia have been increas-ing over the last 2 years. We present the developmental history, supporting theory, and current protocol for use of what is now referred to as del Nido cardioplegia.Keywords: del Nido solution, cardioplegia, myocardial protection, Boston Children’s Hospital