On-pump Coronary Artery Surgery Research Articles

Impact of transit-time flow measurement in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery surgery

Impact of transit-time flow measurement in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery surgery

The Effect of Single Vessel Off-pump and On-pump Coronary Artery Surgery on Postoperative Complications

Giriş ve amaç: Günümüzde koroner bypass ameliyatları hala yaygın olarak on-pump CABG ve off-pump CABG tekniği ile yapılmaktadır. Bu retrospektif klinik çalışmada her iki cerrahi yöntemin kısa ve uzun dönem komplikasyonlarını araştırdık.
 Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışmaya 2011-2015 yılları arasında kliniğimizde Syntax skorlamasına göre izole tek damar koroner arter hastalığı olan; on-pump (Grup 1) ve off-pump (Grup 2) koroner arter cerrahisi geçiren toplam 43 hasta dahil edilmiştir. Bu hastalarda postoperatif erken dönem komplikasyonlar ve bir yıllık majör advers kardiyovasküler ve serebral olaylar karşılaştırılmıştır.
 Bulgular: Her iki grup arasında demografik verilerde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark saptanmadı. Postoperatif komplikasyonlar açısından atrial fibrilasyon off-pump cerrahi yapılan grupta anlamlı olarak daha az saptanmıştır. Yoğun bakımda ve hastanede kalış süreleri, pnömoni, sternal enfeksiyon ve postoperatif drenaj miktarları açısından anlamlı farklılık saptanmamıştır. Operasyon sonrası uzun dönemde majör adverse kardiyovasküler ve serebral olaylar (MACCE) açısından gruplar arasında farklılık saptanmamıştır.
 Sonuç: Sonuç olarak koroner bypass cerrahisinde uygulanacak yöntemin hastanın risk skorlamasına göre belirlenmesini öneriyoruz.

The Influence of Choice of Surgical Procedure on Long-Term Survival After Cardiac Surgery

There is some interest in long-term survival after various cardiac surgical strategies, including off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery surgery (CAG), mitral valve (MV) repair versus replacement, and aortic valve (AV) bioprosthetic versus mechanical replacement. We studied patients older than 49 years of age, recording risk factors and surgical details at the time of surgery. We classified procedures as: MV surgery with or without concurrent grafts or valves; AV surgery with or without concurrent CAG; or isolated CAG. Follow-up was through the state death register and state-wide hospital attendance records. Risk-adjusted survival was estimated using Cox proportional hazards. Observed survival was compared to the expected age- and sex- matched population survival. During a median follow-up of 14.8 years 5,807 of 11,718 patients died. The difference between observed and expected survival varied between 3.4 years for AV surgery and 9.6 years for females undergoing MV surgery. The risk-adjusted mortality hazard rate after off-pump CAG was 0.93 (95% CI 0.8-1.0, p=0.84), MV repair 0.67 (95% CI 0.6-0.8, p<0.0001), MV bioprosthesis 0.82 (95% CI 0.81 (0.6-1.0, p=0.11) and bioprosthetic AV replacement 1.02 (95% CI 0.9-1.2, p=0.82). Compared to the general population, cardiac surgical patients have a shorter than expected life expectancy. We observed a survival benefit of mitral valve repair over replacement. We did not observe significant survival differences between off-pump and on-pump CAG, nor between bioprosthetic and mechanical replacement.

The Predictive Effects of Clinical Hematological Changes on Saphenous Graft Patency after Coronary Artery Surgery.

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between clinical hematologic parameters and saphenous vein graft failure after on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.MethodsA total of 1950 consecutive patients underwent isolated on-pump coronary artery surgery between November 2010 and February 2013. Of these, 284 patients met our inclusion criteria; their preoperative clinical hematological parameters were retrospectively obtained for this cohort study. And of them, 109 patients underwent conventional coronary angiography after graft failure was revealed by coronary computed tomography angiography. The primary endpoint was to catch at least one saphenous vein graft stenosis or occlusion following the coronary angiogram. We then analyzed risk factors for graft failure. In sequential or T grafts, each segment was analyzed as a separate graft.ResultsIn logistic regression analysis, older age, platelet distribution width, and diabetes mellitus were identified as independent predictors of saphenous vein graft failure (P<0.). In contrast, preserved ejection fraction value favored graft patency (P<0.001).ConclusionIncreased platelet distribution width is easily measurable and can be used as a simple and valuable marker in the prediction of saphenous vein graft failure.

Effect of goal-directed therapy on post-operative neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin profile in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery surgery.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early biomarker of acute kidney injury (AKI). Goal-directed therapy (GDT) in on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been associated with lower post-operative NGAL levels in recent studies. The present study aimed at comparing plasma (P) and urinary (U)-NGAL levels following the use of GDT versus conventional haemodynamic therapy (CT) in patients undergoing on-pump CABG. A prospective randomised controlled study conducted in a single university hospital. A total of 54 patients in the GDT group and 56 patients in CT group after exclusions. U-NGAL was significantly lower immediately post-surgery (T 1) in GDT group (25.11 ± 1.5 versus 27.80 ± 1.7μg/L; p < 0.001) and at 4h (T 2) (38.19 ± 23.6 versus 52.30 ± 28.3μg/L; p = 0.006) and at 24h post-operatively (T 3) (34.85 ± 14 versus 39.7 ± 11.1μg/L; p = 0.047). P-NGAL was comparable between groups at T 1 but lower in the GDT group at T 2 (92.81 ± 4.8 versus 94.77 ± 4.5μg/L; p = 0.03) and T 3 (67.44 ± 3.7 versus 75.96 ± 5.3μg/L; p < 0.001). U-NGAL levels correlated well with the peak post-operative creatinine as compared to P-NGAL. On-pump patients manifest neutrophil activation, accounting for comparable levels of P-NGAL in the two groups at T 1. GDT-based haemodynamic management resulted in lower U-NGAL levels at T 1, T 2 and T 3 and lower P-NGAL levels at T 2 and T 3. Haemodynamic optimisation with GDT prevents further renal insult initiated with the inflammatory activation with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), as evidenced by lower post-operative U-NGAL levels.

The Effect of On‐Pump and Off‐Pump Bypass Operations on Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Parameters

Objective The aim of the study is to determine the oxidative status in on-pump and off-pump coronary artery surgery and contribute to possible surgical choices in clinical practices in accordance with the information obtained as a result of this study. Methods 52 patients undergoing open heart surgery (26 patients in on-pump group and 26 patients in off-pump group) were included in the study. MDA, GPx, GSH, CAT, and SOD were investigated in blood samples. Results In the on-pump group, it was determined that there were a significant increase in MDA level in the peroperative period compared to the preoperative and postoperative periods and a significant increase in GSH level in the postoperative period than in the preoperative period. Additionally, while there was a significant decrease in CAT activity in the postoperative period than in the peroperative period, there was a statistically significant increase in SOD enzyme activity in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative and peroperative periods. A statistically significant increase was observed in SOD enzyme activity in the postoperative period in on-pump compared to off-pump group. Conclusion It is thought that this oxidative damage can be suppressed by administering a suitable antioxidant supplement in the preoperative and peroperative periods among patients undergoing the on-pump operation.

PP.14.07] PREOPERATIVE PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR NON-VALVULAR POSTOPERATIVE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY (ON-PUMP VERSUS OFF-PUMP)

Objective: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after isolated coronary revascularization is the most frequent rhythm disorder after cardiac surgery, with a reported incidence between 10% and 40%, associated with hemodynamic instability, increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify significant preoperative predictors for non-valvular POAF in patients undergoing on-pump and off-pump coronary artery surgery. Design and method: Retrospective study included 226 consecutive patients revascularized at Clinic of Cardiac Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, between September and December 2014. Patients were divided in two groups: on-pump (N: 176) and off-pump (N: 50). In both groups, we investigated the association of preoperative factors (gender, age, body mass index [BMI], type of coronary artery disease [CAD], left ventricular systolic function, preoperative angina pectoris [AP] and myocardial infarction [MI], preoperative size of the left atrium and left ventricle, degree of mitral regurgitation [MR], arterial hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, chronic lung disease, preoperative transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular insult, peripheral arterial disease and smoking) with the occurrence of non-valvular POAF, using the Logistic regression analysis. Exclusion criteria were severe MR and preoperative AF. Results: The incidence of POAF was 23.45% (on-pump: 22.2%, off-pump: 28%; p > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between two study groups considering: type of CAD (X2 = 5,030; p = 0,026), left ventricular systolic function (X2 = 12,896; p < 0,001), preoperative MI (X2 = 6,668; p = 0,010), preoperative size of the left atrium (X2 = 13,046; p < 0,001) and left ventricle (EDD: t = 3,439; p = 0,001, ESD: t = 3,162; p = 0,002) and presence of diabetes mellitus (X2 = 6,841; p = 0,009). In the off-pump group, an independent preoperative predictor of POAF was preoperative size of left atrium (OR 34.000; 95% CI 1.479–781.787; p: 0.027). We found that patients with very enlarged left atrium (>5 cm) had significantly higher risk of POAF. Paradoxically, an independent inverse relationship of preoperative arterial hypertension and the risk of POAF was documented in the on-pump group (OR 0.088; 95% CI 0.009–0.874; p: 0.038), most likely due to the more frequent preoperative use of beta-blockers in patients with a history of hypertension. Conclusions: Independent preoperative predictors for POAF are preoperative size of left atrium in off-pump and arterial hypertension in on-pump revascularized patients.

Clinical SYNTAX Score Can Predict Acute Kidney Injury following On-Pump but Not Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background: The complexity of coronary artery disease is usually a neglected factor in risk stratification systems. We aimed to analyze the discriminative ability of the clinical SYNTAX score (CSS) for acute kidney injury (AKI) following on- and off-pump coronary artery surgery. Methods: A total of 193 patients were reviewed in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedure (group I: off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, n = 89; group II: on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, n = 104). Preoperative demographic data, the CSS and postoperative renal functions were evaluated. The postoperative AKI classification was made using the RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of function, and End-stage renal disease) criteria. Results: Postoperative AKI occurred in 14 of 89 patients (15.7%) in group I and in 29 of 104 patients in group II (27.8%; p = 0.046). The CSS did not vary much between the groups (31.52 ± 13.08 vs. 29.89 ± 15.70; p = 0.638). In group I, the CSS was not different between patients with AKI and those without AKI (30.167 ± 3.93 vs. 31.91± 14.75; p = 0.78). In group II, the CSS was 36.85 ± 18.33 in patients with AKI and 28.02 ± 12.32 in those without, and the difference was significant (p = 0.02). The discriminative ability of the CSS for postoperative AKI using the AUC analysis was 0.500 in group I and 0.840 in group II. Conclusion: The CSS may be a simple and successful means of risk prediction of postoperative AKI in on-pump coronary artery surgery.

Interatrial septum motion but not Doppler assessment predicts elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Left atrial pressure and its surrogate, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), are important for determining diastolic function. The role of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in assessing diastolic function is well established in awake subjects. The objective was to assess the accuracy of predicting PCWP by TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during coronary artery surgery. In 27 adult patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery surgery, simultaneous echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements were obtained immediately before anesthesia (TTE), after anesthesia and mechanical ventilation (TTE and TEE), during conduit harvest (TEE), and after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (TEE). Twenty patients had an ejection fraction (EF) of 0.5 or greater. With the exception of E/e' and S/D ratios, echocardiographic values changed over the echocardiographic studies. In patients with low EF, E velocity, deceleration time, pulmonary vein D, S/D, and E/e' ratios correlated well with PCWP before anesthesia. After induction of anesthesia using TTE or TEE, correlations were poor. In normal EF patients, correlations were poor for both TEE and TTE at all five stages. The sensitivity and specificity of echocardiographic values were not high enough to predict raised PCWP except for a fixed curve pattern of interatrial septum (area under the curve 0.89 for PCWP ≥ 17, and 0.98 for ≥ 18 mmHg) and S/D less than 1 (area under the curve 0.74 for PCWP ≥ 17, and 0.78 for ≥ 18 mmHg). Doppler assessment of PCWP was neither sensitive nor specific enough to be clinically useful in anesthetized patients with mechanical ventilation. The fixed curve pattern of the interatrial septum was the best predictor of raised PCWP.

Can We Identify Risk Factors for Postoperative Delirium in Cardiac Coronary Patients? Our Experience

Delirium is a temporary mental disorder that frequently occurs among elderly hospitalized patients. Patients who undergo cardiac operations have an increased risk of postoperative delirium, which is associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates, a prolonged hospital stay, and reduced cognitive and functional recovery. In our prospective study, we included 370 consecutive adult patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery surgery between January 1, 2011, and July 1, 2011. We selected 21 potential risk factors and divided them into preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative groups. Delirium was diagnosed with the Confusion Assessment Method. Postoperative delirium was diagnosed in 74 patients (20%). Four predictive factors were associated with postoperative delirium: diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and prolonged intubation (P < .05). Three of the four predictive factors significantly associated with delirium are preoperative. They are relatively easy to measure and can be used to identify patients at higher risk. Fast extubation of these patients and preventive interventions can be taken to prevent negative consequences of this postoperative complication.

Plasma leptin levels increase to a greater extent following on-pump coronary artery surgery in type 2 diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients

AimsWe aimed to evaluate whether leptin and ghrelin responses to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are dependent on type 2 diabetes and whether these responses are associated with interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), cortisol and insulin. MethodsWe examined stress-response patterns in plasma leptin, ghrelin, hsCRP, IL-6, cortisol and insulin levels before and up to 5 days after cardiopulmonary bypass in 20 patients with type 2 diabetes and 20 patients without diabetes. ResultsPlasma leptin levels increased significantly in both groups (p<0.05) and rose significantly higher in diabetics when compared with nondiabetic patients (p=0.004). Plasma ghrelin levels increased significantly only in diabetics (p=0.033). Patients with and without diabetes showed significantly elevated serum concentrations of IL-6, hsCRP, cortisol and insulin (p<0.005 for IL-6, hsCRP; p<0.05 for cortisol, insulin) but the difference between the two groups was nonsignificant.Leptin was independently predicted by hsCRP (p<0.05, F=2.9), gender (women p<0.001, F=4.7), body mass index (BMI p<0.0001, F=6.1) whereas ghrelin levels were not associated with any variables in the total patient population. (critical F=2.26, p≤0.05). ConclusionsAcute phase response in diabetics differs by higher leptin levels independent of BMI, gender and IL-6, hsCRP, insulin and cortisol levels.

Pathophysiological aspects of cardiotomy suction usage

Cardiotomy suction is used for preservation of autologous blood during on-pump cardiac surgery at present. Controversially, the exclusion of cardiotomy suction in some types of operations (coronary artery bypass surgery) is not necessarily associated with an increased transfusion requirement. On the other hand, the use of cardiotomy suction causes an amplification of systemic inflammatory response and a resulting coagulopathy, as well as exacerbation of the microembolic load and hemolysis. This leads to a tendency towards increased blood loss, transfusion requirement and organ dysfunction. On the basis of these facts, it is appropriate to reconsider routine use of cardiotomy suction in on-pump coronary artery surgery.

Graft patency after off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery surgery in high-risk patients

Objective. To compare angiographic graft patency in high-risk patients randomly allocated to off-pump vs. on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Design. From a randomised, single-centre clinical trial including patients undergoing isolated first-time coronary bypass surgery a subgroup of patients were scheduled to 1-year coronary angiographic follow-up. Patients had 3-vessel disease and a EuroSCORE ≥5. We evaluated graft patency using a patency index (percentage of patent grafts out of the total number of grafts in each patient). Results. One-year angiography was performed in 34 patients undergoing off-pump surgery and 35 patients undergoing on-pump surgery. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.38±0.65 in the off-pump group versus 3.46±0.61 in the on-pump group (NS). The number of patients without graft failure was 22 in the off-pump group and 24 in the on-pump group (NS). The overall patency index was 85% in the off-pump group versus 87% in the on-pump group with a mean difference of –2.1%, 95% confidence interval –12.9 to 8.7 (NS). Conclusions. In patients with 3-vessel disease and a high-risk profile we found no statistically significant difference in graft patency between off-pump and on-pump CABG at 1-year coronary angiographic follow-up.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00120991.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery in the elderly patients

Abstract The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the results of coronary artery surgery in the elderly patients and to compare the outcome with a younger group. Two hundred thirteen patients aged 70 years and older who underwent on-pump coronary artery surgery were retrospectively studied and data were compared with those of 524 patients aged 50–69. The groups were similar with respect to preoperative characteristics except for sex distribution and the incidences of peripheral vascular disease and prior cerebrovascular accident. The use of internal mammarian artery grafts was significantly lower in the elderly patients (80.3% versus 91.6%, p&lt;0.001). The 30-day mortality for the elderly group was 4.7% while that of younger group was 2.3%. The elderly patients had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative low cardiac output, pulmonary complications and acute renal failure. The elderly group also had also significantly longer intensive care unit length of stay (1.9 versus 1.7 days, p=0.006) and postoperative length of stay (10.1 versus 7.4 days, p&lt;0.001). Although mortality and complication rates are higher, coronary artery surgery can be performed with acceptable risk in the elderly patients. Old age alone should not be a deterrent factor for surgical revascularization in coronary artery disease.

EComment: Valid comparisons between off-pump and on-pump coronary artery surgery can only be based on strict study design

eComment: Valid comparisons between off-pump and on-pump coronary artery surgery can only be based on strict study design

Abstract 2278: Long Term Clinical Follow-up and Graft Patency of Off-pump vs On-pump Coronary Artery Surgery in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is better than on-pump in patients with STEMI underwent surgery within 2 days from onset of symptoms. Surgeons may be reluctant to use OPCAB due to concerns about completeness of myocardial revascularization and graft patency. The aim of this study was to assess long-term clinical outcomes and graft patency in this kind of patients. Participants in two previous randomized studies performed in our institution including 207 STEMI patients underwent emergent or urgent CABG within 48 hours from onset of symptoms were followed after surgery to assess graft patency and major adverse cardiac-related events (MACE). There were 145 patients operated in on-pump and 62 patients in off-pump. Patency was assessed by multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography (MDCTA) with a 64-slice scanner. Two blinded observers classified proximal, body and distal segments of each graft as occluded or not, or grade of stenosis. Clinical follow-up was obtained by our cardiologists. Overall early mortality was 5.3% (11 pts). Percentage of early mortality were 6.7% and 1.6% in on- and off-pump group respectively (p&lt;0.05). Follow-up was obtained in all 196 survivors and was 100% complete. Overall late deaths occurred in 14 patients (7%) without statistical significant difference between both groups; of the remaining 182, 168 (92.3 %) had MDCTA scans (108 pts in on-pump vs 60 pts in off-pump). Patency was studied in 335 grafts in on-pump and 156 grafts in off-pump. Mean duration of follow-up were 38±16 months and 37±14 months for on- and off-pump, respectively. Overall, 449/491 (91.5%) of grafts were patent. Percentages of overall grafts classified as patent were similar in on-pump and off-pump groups (307/335, 91.6% and 142/156, 91% respectively) and for arterial and vein grafts separately. There were also no differences between groups in the incidence of late death and MACE. Long term graft patency and MACE are similar with on-pump vs off-pump CABG in high risk STEMI patients when operation was performed by experienced surgeons. Supported by this results and by low early mortality in off-pump group, we suggests strictly the use of off-pump CABG in this type of patients.

Cardiac Troponin I Concentrations during On-Pump Coronary Artery Surgery

Perioperative myocardial infarction remains a frequent complication after coronary artery bypass grafting, and is associated with a poor prognosis. This retrospective study compared cardiac troponin I concentrations after on-pump bypass grafting in 2 groups of patients: 100 operated on using a single-clamp technique to perform anastomoses, and 80 operated on using a double-clamp technique. Postoperative cardiac troponin I levels were not significantly different between groups. It was concluded that the double-clamp technique did not reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction after elective on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, and use of a single clamp is safe with no adverse effect on postoperative outcome.

Aspirin and Tranexamic Acid for Coronary Artery Surgery (ATACAS) Trial: Rationale and design

Despite some concern that recent aspirin ingestion increases blood loss after coronary artery surgery, there is some evidence that this may reduce thrombotic complications. In contrast, antifibrinolytic drugs can reduce blood loss in this setting, but there is concern that they may increase thrombotic complications. Published guidelines are limited by a lack of large randomized trials addressing the risks and benefits of each of these commonly used therapies in cardiac surgery. The ATACAS Trial is a study comparing aspirin, tranexamic acid, or both, with placebo in patients undergoing on-pump or off-pump coronary artery surgery. We discuss the rationale for conducting ATACAS, a 4600-patient, multicenter randomized trial in at-risk coronary artery surgery, and the features of the ATACAS study design (objectives, end points, target population, allocation, treatments, patient follow-up, and analysis). The ATACAS Trial will be the largest study yet conducted to ascertain the benefits and risks of aspirin and antifibrinolytic therapy in coronary artery surgery. Results of the trial will guide the routine clinical care of patients in this setting.

Coronary artery surgery: cardiotomy suction or cell salvage?

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) today results in what may be regarded as acceptable levels of blood loss with many institutions avoiding allogeneic red cell transfusion in over 60% of their patients. The majority of cardiac surgeons employ cardiotomy suction to preserve autologous blood during on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery; however the use of cardiotomy suction is associated with a more pronounced systemic inflammatory response and a resulting coagulopathy as well as exacerbating the microembolic load. This leads to a tendency to increased blood loss, transfusion requirement and organ dysfunction. Conversely, the avoidance of cardiotomy suction in coronary artery bypass surgery is not associated with an increased transfusion requirement. There is therefore no indication for the routine use of cardiotomy suction in on-pump coronary artery surgery.

Off-Pump Versus On-Pump Coronary Artery Surgery Identification of Fibrinolysis Using Rotation Thromboelastography; A Preliminary, Prospective, Randomized Study

The aim of this preliminary, prospective, randomized study was to compare rotation thromboelastography (roTEG) results and D-dimer levels in off-pump versus on-pump coronary surgery in order to identify the activation of fibrinolysis. Twenty patients scheduled for coronary bypass grafting were assessed (off-pump group A, n = 10; on-pump group B, n = 10). Blood samples for roTEG examination were taken preoperatively (t0), 15 minutes after sternotomy (t1), on the completion of peripheral bypass anastomoses (t2), and at the end of procedures (t3). The time points for D-dimer levels analyses were before operation, at the end of procedures, and 24 hours later. A certain degree of roTEG signs of fibrinolysis was noticed at time t2 in both groups and in group B these marks were quite widely, but not significantly expressed (P for intergroup differences for Lysis on Set Time at 60 and 150 minutes were P = 0.190 and P = 0.122, respectively), borderline differences were found for Maximum Clot Firmness (P = 0.082) with a lower mean value for group B (arithmetic means [95% confidence intervals]--57.7 [54.2; 61.2] mm). Completely expressed roTEG signs of hyperfibrinolysis were observed in 2 patients from group B. In group B also the highest geometric means of D-dimers (1326.0 [943.5; 1863.6] ng mL(-1)) and thus a dramatic intergroup difference (P < 0.001) were observed at the end of surgery; 24 hours later the significantly elevated D-dimer levels in both groups (A: 1070.0 [723.5; 1582.6] versus B: 1093.3 [732.0; 1632.9] ng mL(-1)) were equalized (P = 0.932). Our roTEG results display a slightly greater, but fairly subtle activation of fibrinolysis during the course of cardiopulmonary bypass, compared to off-pump cardiac surgery.