Objective: To compare the temperatures of blood cardioplegic solution (4:1) fl owing through coils made from aluminum, stainless steel and polyvinylchloride (PVC)

Materials and methods: The room temperature was controlled at 25oC for all trials, and the temperature of the blood cardioplegic solution before being introduced into 3 types of coils made from aluminum, stainless steel and PVC was controlled at two levels, 26oC and 32oC. The temperature of the blood cardioplegia was recorded three times: at the location where the solution passed out of the coil and at the end of the tubing. Several variables were tested with fl ow rate of solution 200, 250, and 300 cc./ min and lengths of the tubing 200, 300 and 400 cm. All procedures were repeated with all three coil materials

Results: The aluminum coil was most effective at decreasing the temperature of blood cardioplegic solution, followed by stainless steel and PVC. The results also demonstrated that the temperature of the solution decreased less with higher fl ow rate and the longer tubing, and at higher beginning temperatures.

Conclusion: The aluminum coil is most effective at lowering the temperature of the solution, even when increasing the fl ow rate and using longer tubing.