Oxidative damage during cardiac surgery can compromise myocardial recovery and prolong postoperative care. A study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery evaluated the impact of NO and H₂ administered through the CPB circuit.
A total of 123 patients undergoing CPB were randomly assigned to four groups: standard care (n = 30), NO (40 ppm; n = 33), H₂ (1.2 ppm; n = 30), and combined NO + H₂ (n = 30). The study assessed lipid peroxidation activity, erythrocyte aggregation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) after surgery.
Combined NO and H₂ administration significantly lowered diene and triene conjugates and Schiff base formation, reflecting reduced oxidative stress. ATP levels increased in the dual-therapy group, while postoperative cTnI levels declined, indicating less myocardial injury.
Patients receiving both gases required shorter ventilation time and had reduced ICU stays, with no postoperative complications observed. These findings suggest that combined NO and H₂ therapy provides measurable myocardial protection and faster recovery after cardiac surgery.