Final answer:
Antegrade cardioplegia is administered directly into the coronary arteries of the heart during cardiac surgery. It provides myocardial protection but has limitations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antegrade cardioplegia is administered directly into the coronary arteries of the heart during cardiac surgery. It involves injecting a cold solution into the aortic root, which then flows into the coronary arteries, temporarily stopping the blood flow to the heart muscle. This provides myocardial protection during the surgery.
The limitations of antegrade cardioplegia include the risk of coronary artery injury during cannulation and the inability to reach distal coronary arteries that may be blocked. Additionally, it may not provide adequate myocardial protection in cases of severe coronary artery disease or prolonged surgery.