Elective Coronary Artery Surgery Research Articles

Utility of glycated hemoglobin screening in patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery: Prospective, cohort study from the E-CABG registry

BackgroundPatients with increased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) seem to be at increased risk of sternal wound infection (SWI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, it is unclear whether increased baseline HbA1c levels may affect other postoperative outcomes. Material and methodsData on preoperative levels of HbA1c were collected from 2606 patients undergoing elective isolated CABG from 2015 to 2016 and included in the prospective, multicenter E-CABG registry. ResultsThe prevalence of HbA1c ≥ 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) among non-diabetics was 5.3%, among non-insulin dependent diabetics was 53.5% and among insulin dependent diabetics was 67.1% (p < 0.001). The prevalence of HbA1c > 75 mmol/mol (9.0%) among non-diabetics was 0.5%, among non-insulin dependent diabetics was 5.8% and among insulin dependent diabetics was 10.6% (p < 0.001). Baseline levels of HbA1c ≥ 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) was a significant predictor of any SWI (10.7% vs. 3.3%, adjusted p-value: <0.001), deep SWI/mediastinitis (3.8% vs. 1.3%, adjusted p-value: 0.001) and acute kidney injury (27.4% vs. 19.8%, adjusted p-value: 0.042). These findings were confirmed in multilevel mixed effect logistic regression adjusted for participating centers. Among patients with diabetes, HbA1c ≥ 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) was predictive of SWI (11.1% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.001). ConclusionsHbA1c is increased in a significant proportion of patients undergoing elective CABG and these patients are at higher risk of SWI. Less clear is the impact of increased HbA1c on other postoperative outcomes. These results do not support screening of HbA1c in patients without history of diabetes. Preoperative screening of HbA1c is valuable only to identify diabetics at risk of SWI.

Long-Term Survival and Quality of Life After Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Aortic Surgery.

Hypothermic circulatory arrest carries a high risk of mortality and neurological complications. An important part of assessing surgical treatment is the evaluation of long-term survival and postoperative health-related quality of life. In this prospective study, 30 patients undergoing hypothermic circulatory arrest during surgery of the thoracic aorta, and 31 comparison patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery without hypothermic circulatory arrest were evaluated for long-term survival and health-related quality of life, using the RAND 36-Item Health Survey questionnaire. The results were compared to national age- and sex-matched reference populations of the chronically ill and healthy adults. After 4.6-8.0 years, available study (88%) and comparison (59%) patients were interviewed. The life expectancy was similar with 4- and 8-year survival of 90%, and 87% for the study group, and 94%, and 94% for the comparison group, respectively (log rank test, p = 0.62). The RAND-36 scores for study and comparison groups were congruent in all dimensions, describing physical, mental, and social domains. The study patients' health-related quality of life results were similar to the national reference population with chronic illnesses. After hypothermic circulatory arrest, patients undergoing surgery of the thoracic aorta achieve a similar long-term life expectancy and health-related quality of life as do patients undergoing coronary surgery without hypothermic circulatory arrest, and a health-related quality of life similar to the national reference population with chronic illnesses. These results justify operative treatment in this high-risk patient population.

Utility of Glycated Hemoglobin Screening in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Surgery

Utility of Glycated Hemoglobin Screening in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Surgery

Intraoperative blood transfusion increases the incidence of acute kidney injury in elective off pump coronary artery surgery

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in up to 30% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Development of kidney injury is associated with high overall mortality and a more complicated hospital course. Cardiopulmonary bypass is considered as one of the major risk factors for developing AKI. Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting eliminates the need for cardiopulmonary bypass and, as such, is assumed to reduce AKI. However, previous studies provided conflicting evidence to support this hypothesis.

Remote ischemic preconditioning prevents deterioration of short-term postoperative cognitive function after cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass: results of a pilot investigation.

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) exerts neuroprotective effects in models of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. The authors tested the hypothesis that RIPC decreases the incidence of postoperative delirium and prevents deterioration of short-term postoperative cognitive function in isoflurane-fentanyl-anesthetized patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Randomized, blinded, single-center pilot investigation. Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Thirty age- and education-matched men≥55 years of age undergoing elective coronary artery or valve surgery using CPB. Fifteen nonsurgical patients also were enrolled. RIPC was produced after induction of anesthesia using 4 cycles of brief (5 minutes) upper extremity ischemia (tourniquet inflation to 200 mmHg) interspersed with 5-minute periods of reperfusion (tourniquet deflation). The Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist was used to assess delirium before and each day after surgery for as many as 5 consecutive days. Recent verbal and nonverbal memory and executive functions were assessed before and 1 week after surgery using a standard neuropsychometric test battery or at 1-week intervals in nonsurgical controls. The Geriatric Depression and the Hachinski Ischemia scales were used to identify the presence of clinical depression and vascular dementia, respectively. No differences in delirium scores were observed between RIPC and control groups (p=0.54). Baseline neurocognitive scores were similar in patients with versus without RIPC in all 3 cognitive domains. Significant declines in performance on 2 nonverbal memory tests (figure reconstruction and delayed figure reproduction; p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively) and 1 verbal memory test (delayed story recall; p=0.0004) were observed 1 week after surgery in patients who were not treated with RIPC. There were no changes in performance of measures of executive function in this group. In contrast, performance on all cognitive tests was unchanged after compared with before surgery in patients receiving RIPC. At least a 1-standard deviation decline from baseline in cognitive performance was detected in figure reconstruction, delayed figure reproduction, immediate story recall, and delayed story recall in patients who were not exposed to RIPC. The incidence of at least a 1-standard deviation decline in neuropsychometric tests was observed in significantly fewer (1 v 9; p<0.0001) patients with versus without RIPC treatment based on composite Z-scores. Overall cognitive performance after surgery was better in patients treated with versus without RIPC (p=0.002). Clinical depression and vascular dementia were not detected in either group. The results of this pilot investigation indicated that RIPC prevented deterioration of short-term postoperative cognitive function but were unable to detect any difference in delirium in isoflurane-fentanyl-anesthetized patients undergoing cardiac surgery using CPB.

Preoperative Aspirin Discontinuation Management and Bleeding Outcome in Elective Coronary Artery Surgery

We read with great interest the recently published study by Al-Lawati et al.[1] The purpose of the study was to assess if continuation of aspirin influences bleeding complications following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). With respect to preoperative aspirin administration, patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 with late aspirin discontinuation within 7 days before CABG and Group 2 with early discontinuation determined as aspirin withdrawal in more than 7 days before CABG.[1] Group 1 had significantly higher extent of postprotamine blood loss (p = 0.034), chest tube output (p = 0.001), and had consumed more blood products than Group 2 (p = 0.01).[1] Preoperatively, patients were randomly allocated into either group at the outpatient clinic, thus making study interventional rather than observational in nature.

Enhanced Recovery After Elective Coronary Revascularization Surgery With Minimal Versus Conventional Extracorporeal Circulation: A Prospective Randomized Study

A minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) circuit integrates the advances in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) technology into a single circuit and is associated with improved short-term outcome. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate MECC compared with conventional CPB in facilitating fast-track recovery after elective coronary revascularization procedures. Prospective randomized study. All patients scheduled for elective coronary artery surgery were evaluated, excluding those considered particularly high risk for fast-track failure. The fast-track protocol included careful preoperative patient selection, a fast-track anesthetic technique based on minimal administration of fentanyl, surgery at normothermia, early postoperative extubation in the cardiac recovery unit, and admission to the cardiothoracic ward within the first 24 hours postoperatively. One hundred twenty patients were assigned randomly into 2 groups (60 in each group). Group A included patients who were operated on using the MECC circuit, whereas patients in Group B underwent surgery on conventional CPB. Incidence of fast-track recovery was significantly higher in patients undergoing MECC (25% v 6.7%, p = 0.006). MECC also was recognized as a strong independent predictor of early recovery, with an odds ratio of 3.8 (p = 0.011). Duration of mechanical ventilation and cardiac recovery unit stay were significantly lower in patients undergoing MECC together with the need for blood transfusion, duration of inotropic support, need for an intra-aortic balloon pump, and development of postoperative atrial fibrillation and renal failure. MECC promotes successful early recovery after elective coronary revascularization procedures, even in a nondedicated cardiac intensive care unit setting.

Antegrade rapid prime displacement in elective coronary artery surgery is associated with lower perioperative blood transfusions and a shorter hospital stay

Haemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with increased perioperative blood transfusions and is thought to reduce intraoperative oxygen delivery to the brain. We sought to evaluate our method of rapid antegrade prime displacement in the context of the perioperative blood transfusion rate, intraoperative cerebral saturations and postoperative hospital stay. Retrospective analysis of 160 propensity-matched patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting was performed comparing different perfusion strategies on perioperative blood transfusion and length of postoperative stay. Eighty patients who had rapid antegrade prime displacement and vacuum-assisted venous drainage (RAD-VAD) were compared with 80 patients who had conventional cardiopulmonary bypass with gravity drainage (CB). RAD-VAD involved displacing all or most of the prime in the circuit with the patient's own blood prior to the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass within a 15-20 s window. Within each group, 10 patients had intraoperative cerebral saturation measurements. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics between the groups. Both groups had a significant fall (P < 0.05) in haematocrit during cardiopulmonary bypass from preoperative values, however, the fall in haematocrit was significantly less in the RAD-VAD group (P < 0.05). There was significantly (P < 0.05) less intraoperative and postoperative homologous blood transfusions in the RAD-VAD group (47.892 ml ± 8.14 and 76.58 ml ± 21.58) compared with the CB group (229.06 ml ± 105.03 and 199.91 ml ± 47.13). There was a significant fall in cerebral saturations within both groups (P < 0.05) but it was not significant between the groups. The postoperative stay was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter in the RAD-VAD group compared with the conventional group (7.74 days ± 0.51 vs 10.13 days ± 0.95). RAD-VAD is associated with a significantly lower blood transfusion rate perioperatively and shorter hospital stays compared with CB.

Activation of the receptor activator of the nuclear factor- B ligand pathway during coronary bypass surgery: comparison between on- and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery procedures

The receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL), its membrane receptor RANK and its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) are all members of the tumour necrosis factor family involved in bone metabolism and immune response. We evaluated the activation of the OPG/RANKL/RANK pathway in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Twenty consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery were enrolled in the study and assigned either to the on-pump or to the off-pump group. Pre- and postoperative serum levels of OPG and RANKL were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; gene expression of OPG, RANKL, RANK and NF-κB p50 subunits were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood T-cells and monocytes. Serum levels of OPG significantly increased after surgery in both groups, whereas serum levels of RANKL did not differ over time. T-cells from the on-pump group showed increased gene expression of OPG, RANKL and RANK after the intervention, whereas no mRNA variation for these genes was detected in T-cells from off-pump patients. Gene expression of p50 subunit increased in T-cells and monocytes from both groups. Cardiac surgery induces the activation of the OPG/RANKL/RANK pathway; both on- and off-pump procedures are associated with increased postoperative OPG serum levels and up-regulation of the NF-κB p50 subunit.

Accuracy of the pleth variability index to predict fluid responsiveness depends on the perfusion index

Respiratory variations in plethysmographic waveform amplitudes derived from pulse oximetry are believed to predict fluid responsiveness. The non-invasive pleth variability index (PVI) is a variable based on the calculation of changes in the perfusion index (PI). The aim of the following study was to examine whether the predictive power of PVI depends on different values of PI. Eighty-one patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery were studied before operation: at baseline after induction of anaesthesia and during passive leg raising (PLR). Each patient was monitored with central venous pressure (CVP), the PiCCO monitor and the non-invasive Masimo monitoring system. Stroke volume index by transpulmonary thermodilution (SVI(TPTD)), pulse pressure variation (PPV), stroke volume variation (SVV) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) were measured using the PiCCO monitoring system. PI and PVI were obtained by pulse oximetry. Responders were defined to increase their SVI(TPTD) >15% after PLR. The highest area under the curve (AUC) was found for PPV (AUC: 0.83, P<0.0001) and SVV (AUC: 0.72, P=0.002), in contrast to PVI (AUC: 0.60, P=0.11) and CVP (AUC: 0.60, P=0.13). The accuracy of PVI to predict fluid responsiveness was improved on analysing patients with higher PI values. PI of about 4% (n=45) achieved statistical significance (AUC: 0.72, P=0.01). The PVI was not able to predict fluid responsiveness with sufficient accuracy. In patients with higher perfusion states, the PVI improved its ability to predict haemodynamic changes, strongly suggesting a relevant influence of the PI on the PVI.

Patient preference for coronary artery bypass graft surgery performed on the arrested or beating heart: a questionnaire study

Patient choice is now a major facet of health-care policy within the National Health Service. Our objective was to determine whether the patient would like to choose if the 'beating heart' technique or the 'arrested heart' technique is employed for their coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We undertook a cross-sectional, self-reported questionnaire survey of patients referred to a regional cardiac surgical unit for elective coronary artery surgery between October 2008 and July 2009. The questionnaire was split into five sections as follows: (1) the patients' awareness of 'beating heart' and 'arrested heart' techniques for CABG surgery, (2) an information sheet detailing both techniques, (3) patients' preference of technique to be used for CABG surgery, (4) whether the patient would like to choose their surgeon according to the surgeons' preferred technique and (5) demographics, including age, sex, and educational qualifications. Data are expressed as counts (percentages). The questionnaire was sent to 120 people; 88 returned a completed questionnaire, representing a response rate of 73%. Awareness of 'beating heart' and 'arrested heart' techniques for CABG surgery was reported by 35 respondents (40%). Of these, 74% respondents had no preference of technique used for CABG surgery. After reading the information sheet, 78 (89%) respondents reported no preference of technique used for CABG surgery. As many as 71 (81%) respondents reported that they did not want to be given an opportunity to choose the technique used for CABG surgery, and all respondents preferred to let the surgeon decide the appropriate technique. A binary logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age and level of education were not significant predictors of whether patients wanted to choose the technique to be used for their CABG surgery. Cardiac surgical patients prefer to allow the surgeon to determine the technique to be used for their coronary artery operation and do not want to be offered the chance to choose their surgeon according to the surgeons' preferred technique. Involvement of the patient in determining the operative technique is not always desired.

Preoperative Fibrinogen Levels as a Predictor of Postoperative Bleeding after Open Heart Surgery

Open heart surgery still involving major bleeding continues to be a major challenge after cardiac surgery and is also a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Most hemostatic factors are intercorrelated with postoperative bleeding, and fibrinogen seems the most fundamental hemostatic risk factor for open heart surgery. The study included 97 patients who underwent elective coronary artery surgery (78 men and 19 women; mean age, 60.9 +/- 10.3). Preoperative blood samples were obtained and preoprative quantitative determination of plasma fibrinogen levels were measured by the clotting method of Clauss using the fibrinogen kit. Patients were operated on by the same team and the same technique. The total amount of drainage blood from chest tubes was recorded after termination of operation. There were statistical significance between the fibrinogen levels and the drainage (r = -0.897, P < .001). Chest drainage was a mean of 972 mL (range, 240-2445 mL) in the first 48 hours after sternotomy closure. Fibrinogen level and relation to age was statistically significant (P = .015). There was no statistical significance between fibrinogen levels and gender (male gender = 400.7 +/- 123.0 versus female gender = 395.6 +/- 148.1; P = .877) and between drainage and gender (male gender = 968.2 +/- 538.5 versus female gender = 990.0 +/- 554.7; P = .876). Two patients (2%) died early after the surgery. There were no significant differences between the postoperative bleeding and cardiopulmonary bypass time (P = .648) or cross-clamp time (P = .974). The results of this study suggested that low preoperative fibrinogen level appears to be a useful diagnostic marker to assess the activity of the coagulation system, and that its preoperative level may serve as a potential risk factor for postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Levosimendan or Milrinone in the Type 2 Diabetic Patient With Low Ejection Fraction Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Surgery

Levosimendan or Milrinone in the Type 2 Diabetic Patient With Low Ejection Fraction Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Surgery

Uncalibrated Arterial Pulse Contour Analysis Versus Continuous Thermodilution Technique: Effects of Alterations in Arterial Waveform

To compare an arterial pressure-derived cardiac output (APCO) (Vigileo software version 1.07; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) and a thermodilution cardiac output (CCO) as methods for measuring cardiac output under different pathologic and experimental conditions that induce changes in arterial waveform morphology. A prospective study. A university hospital, single institutional. Fifty-two patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Simultaneous APCO and CCO were compared in low-risk patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery (without valvular disease) (control, n = 20), patients with aortic stenosis (AS, n = 10), aortic insufficiency (AI, n = 10), and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP, n = 12). In the control group, additional data were registered before and after median sternotomy and phenylephrine administration. In the control group, Bland-Altman showed a bias of -3% (95% limits of agreement: -59% to +53%) before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and of -1% (95% limits of agreement: -51% to +50%) after CPB. In the AS group, the bias was -5% (95% limits of agreement: -34% to +24%) before CPB and 1% (95% limits of agreement: -28 to +30%) after CPB. In the AI group bias was +32% (95% limits of agreement: -4% to +68%) before CPB and -2% (95% limits of agreement: -35% to +32%) after CPB. Median sternotomy decreased CCO by 10% +/- 10%, whereas it increased APCO by 56% +/- 28%. Phenylephrine administration decreased CCO by 11% +/- 16%, whereas it increased APCO by 55% +/- 34%. Cardiac output measurement based on uncalibrated pulse contour analysis is able to reflect cardiac output measured with the continuous thermodilution method in patients undergoing uncomplicated coronary artery surgery. However, in situations in which the arterial pressure waveform is changed, agreement between techniques may be altered and data obtained with uncalibrated pulse contour analysis may become less reliable.

Safety and efficacy concerns regarding elective coronary artery surgery in patients with prior coronary stents

Recent data have raised concerns about the safety of drug-eluting stents.1 Stents are used in over 70% of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) because they reduce the risk of acute major complications of PCI and long-term restenosis. Despite the low procedural morbidity afforded by stenting, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery offers significantly greater freedom from angina, repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, stroke, and death in the treatment of multivessel ischaemic heart disease.2 Stenting has, however, become first line treatment in increasing numbers of patients that are surgical candidates. Many of these patients eventually require coronary artery surgery: …

Effects of Sevoflurane on Biomechanical Markers of Hepatic and Renal Dysfunction After Coronary Artery Surgery

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a total intravenous and a volatile anesthetic regimen on biochemical markers of hepatic and renal dysfunction after coronary artery surgery. Prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical study. University hospital, single institutional. Three hundred twenty patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery were divided into 2 different anesthetic protocols: propofol group (n = 160) and sevoflurane group (n = 160). Hemodynamic data were registered before the start of surgery, before the start of CPB, 15 minutes after the end of CPB, at arrival in the intensive care unit, and 6 and 12 hours after arrival in the intensive care unit. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and serum creatinine concentrations were measured before surgery, at arrival in the intensive care unit, and after 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Postoperative levels of serum SGOT, SGPT, and LDH increased transiently in both anesthetic groups, but the increase was significantly lower in the sevoflurane group compared with the propofol group. Creatinine levels remained largely unchanged in both groups. Postoperative biochemical markers of hepatic dysfunction were lower with a sevoflurane-based anesthetic regimen in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Levosimendan or Milrinone in the Type 2 Diabetic Patient With Low Ejection Fraction Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Surgery

The purpose of this study was to compare the hemodynamic profiles and the postoperative insulin requirements in 2 groups of type 2 diabetic patients with depressed myocardial function who underwent elective surgery for coronary artery disease and who received levosimendan or milrinone for postcardiopulmonary bypass low-output syndrome. Randomized controlled trial. The Chest Diseases Hospital, Safat, Kuwait. Type 2 diabetic patients undergoing elective surgery for coronary artery disease. Fourteen patients and 16 patients received levosimendan and milrinone infusions, respectively, for treatment of the low-output syndrome. The hemodynamic, mixed venous oxygen saturation, oxygen extraction ratios, arterial lactate concentrations, and postoperative insulin infusion rates were serially documented for the first 48 hours after the diagnosis. The cardiac index and mixed venous oxygen saturation were significantly higher in the levosimendan group. The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and oxygen extraction ratios were significantly higher in the milrinone treatment group. The insulin requirements were similar for both of the treatment groups. Levosimendan was more efficient than milrinone for treating the hemodynamic manifestations of the postcardiopulmonary bypass low-output syndrome. However, all the values in the milrinone treatment group were normalized. In this small population, both treatment groups had similar postoperative insulin requirements.

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I concentrations after adult cardiac surgery: Association with postoperative cardiac dysfunction and 1-year mortality*

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic implications of perioperative B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin I concentrations in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac surgery. Prospective observational study. Biochemistry laboratory and surgical care unit in a university hospital. A total of 92 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery (43 patients) or valve surgery (49 patients). None. BNP and cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured before surgery (day 0), and at day 1 after surgery. Postoperative cardiac dysfunction was defined as low cardiac output or hemodynamic instability requiring inotropic support for >24 hrs or congestive heart failure until day 5. One-year survival was also evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. An important BNP secretion was systematically observed after cardiac surgery. Independent predictors of cardiac dysfunction were preoperative New York Health Association class and BNP and cardiac troponin I concentrations measured at day 1. Patients with an elevation of both markers have a 12-fold increased risk of postoperative heart failure. The use of both markers in combination predicted better postoperative heart failure than each one separately. Age, low preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, and elevated BNP at day 1 (>352 pg/mL) were associated with an increased mortality rate at 1 yr. In multivariate analysis, only left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly associated with 1-yr survival. Postoperative plasma BNP and cardiac troponin I levels are independent predictors of postoperative cardiac dysfunction after cardiac surgery. Simultaneous measurement of BNP and cardiac troponin I improve the risk assessment of postoperative cardiac dysfunction. However, the association between BNP levels and 1-yr outcome was no longer significant after adjustment on left ventricular ejection fraction.

Safety Concerns About Aprotinin

Concerns about bleeding associated with elective coronary-artery surgery have led to the widespread use of lysine analogues (aminocaproic acid and

Glucose, insulin and potassium applied as perioperative hyperinsulinaemic normoglycaemic clamp: effects on inflammatory response during coronary artery surgery

The clinical benefits of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) and tight glycaemic control in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be partly explained by an anti-inflammatory effect. We applied GIK as a hyperinsulinaemic normoglycaemic clamp for >25 h and quantified its effect on systemic inflammation in patients undergoing CABG. Data obtained in 21 non-diabetic patients with normal left ventricular function scheduled for elective coronary artery surgery, who were randomly allocated to a control or GIK group, were analysed. In GIK patients, regular insulin was infused at a fixed rate of 0.1 IU kg(-1) h(-1). The infusion rate of glucose (30%) was adjusted to maintain blood glucose levels within a target range of 4.0-5.5 mmol litre(-1). Plasma concentrations of interleukins 6, 8 and 10, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were measured on the day of surgery and on the first and second postoperative days (POD1 and POD2). In the GIK group hypoglycaemia (glucose <2.2 mmol litre(-1)) did not occur, whereas hyperglycemia (glucose >6.1 mmol litre(-1)) developed in 15% of all measurements. In control patients, hyperglycaemia developed in >80% of all measurements in the presence of low endogenous insulin levels. CRP and SAA levels increased in both groups, with maximum levels measured on POD2. GIK treatment significantly reduced CRP and SAA levels. Interleukin levels increased significantly in both groups following cardiopulmonary bypass, but no differences were found between the groups. Hyperinsulinaemic normoglycaemic clamp is an effective method of maintaining tight glycaemic control in patients undergoing CABG and it attenuates the systemic inflammatory response in these patients. This effect may partly contribute to the reported beneficial effect of glycaemic control in patients undergoing CABG.