The Val-CARD trial aims to answer the question: "Does the drug sodium valproate reduce
complications affecting the heart and kidneys in patients having heart operations?" Sodium
valproate is a drug commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy. Recently it has been shown to
protect against heart and kidney damage in laboratory tests. This has led to trials
evaluating whether it can prevent heart and kidney damage in patients. The investigators wish
to evaluate whether treatment with sodium valproate for a short period can reduce levels of
organ damage following heart surgery by measuring this in blood tests, exercise tests, a
special x-ray measuring body fat content, a walk exercise and muscle strength tests. The
investigators now want to establish if sodium valproate works by making the heart and kidney
more resistant to any injury that results from the use of the heart lung machine.