PLEGISOL®
(potassium chloride, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride) Injection, Solution
CARDIOPLEGIC SOLUTION FOR CARDIAC PERFUSION
NOT FOR INTRAVENOUS INJECTION
Flexible Plastic Container
DESCRIPTION
Plegisol (Cardioplegic Solution) is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, essentially isotonic, formulation of
electrolytes in water for injection. It is a "core solution" intended for use only after addition of sodium
bicarbonate to adjust pH prior to administration. After buffering with sodium bicarbonate it is suitable
for cardiac instillation (usually with hypothermia) to induce arrest during open heart surgery. Other
agents may be added to the solution prior to instillation. (See Instructions For Use.)
Each 100 mL of solution contains calcium chloride, dihydrate 17.6 mg, magnesium chloride,
hexahydrate 325.3 mg, potassium chloride 119.3 mg and sodium chloride 643 mg in water for injection.
May contain HCl or NaOH for pH adjustment. Electrolyte content per liter (not including ions for pH
adjustment): Calcium (Ca++) 2.4 mEq; magnesium (Mg++) 32 mEq; potassium (K+) 16 mEq; sodium (Na+)
110 mEq; chloride (Cl?) 160 mEq. Osmolar concentration, 304 mOsmol/liter (calc.); pH 3.8 (3.5 to 3.9)
prior to sodium bicarbonate addition.
It is required that 10 mL (840 mg) of 8.4% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP (10 mEq each of sodium
and bicarbonate) be added aseptically and thoroughly mixed with each 1000 mL of cardioplegic
solution to adjust pH. Use 10 mL of Hospira List 4900, 8.4% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP,
to achieve the approximate pH of 7.8 when measured at room temperature. Use of any other
Sodium Bicarbonate Injection may not achieve this pH due to the varying pH’s of Sodium
Bicarbonate Injections . Due to its inherent instability with other components, sodium bicarbonate must
be added just prior to administration. After this addition, the solution must be stored under refrigeration
and be used within 24 hours.
The buffered admixture contains the following electrolytes (per liter): Ca++2.4 mEq, Mg++32 mEq, K+
16 mEq, Na+120 mEq, Cl-160 mEq and bicarbonate (HCO3-) 10 mEq; osmolar concentration, 324
mOsmol/liter (calc.); pH 7.8 (approx.). If other agents are added, these values may be altered.
The solution contains no bacteriostat, or antimicrobial agent and is intended only for use (after adjusting
pH with sodium bicarbonate) in a single operative procedure. When smaller amounts are required, the
unused portion should be discarded.
Plegisol with added sodium bicarbonate used as a coronary artery infusate induces cardiac arrest,
combats ischemic ionic disturbances, buffers ischemic acidosis and protects energy sources for
functional recovery after ischemia.
Calcium Chloride, USP is chemically designated calcium chloride, dihydrate (CaCl2• 2H2O), white
fragments or granules freely soluble in water.
Magnesium Chloride, USP is chemically designated magnesium chloride, hexahydrate (MgCl2• 6
H2O), deliquescent flakes or crystals very soluble in water.
Potassium Chloride, USP is chemically designated KCl, a white granular powder freely soluble in
water.
Sodium Chloride, USP is chemically designated NaCl, a white crystalline powder freely soluble in
water.
Water for Injection, USP is chemically designated H2O.
The flexible plastic container is fabricated from a specially formulated polyvinyl chloride. Water can
permeate from inside the container into the overwrap but not in amounts sufficient to affect the solution
significantly. Solutions in contact with the plastic container may leach out certain chemical components
from the plastic in very small amounts; however, biological testing was supportive of the safety of the
plastic container materials. Exposure to temperatures above 25°C/77°F during transport and storage will
lead to minor losses in moisture content. Higher temperatures lead to greater losses. It is unlikely that
these minor losses will lead to clinically significant changes within the expiration period.