Pump Time Research Articles

Predictors and Outcomes of Extended Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

To assess risk predictors of increased intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and assess outcomes associated with increased ICU length of stay. We conducted a nested case-control study from a 9-year hospitalization cohort with prospective data collection (N = 9869). Cases were CABG patients with ICU greater than or equal to 168 hours (N = 236) and controls were CABG patients with an ICU stay of less than 168 hours (N = 708). We examined 15 risk factors and 11 outcomes. Nine risk factors proved significant in predicting an increased ICU length of stay. Cases were more likely to be older, with an increased pump time, and a lower body surface area. Cases tended to be female, with COPD, hypertension, and undergoing an urgent surgical procedure. Controls tended to have hypercholesterolemia and abnormal left ventricular hypertrophy. There was no significant difference between the cases and controls for the remaining six risk factors. Five of the nine significant predictors correlated with four predictors: age, urgent surgical procedure, pump time, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Using logistic regression analysis, we found that patients undergoing CABG had an increased ICU length of stay if they were older than 70 years (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.86 to 3.62), with longer pump time (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.75 to 3.44), had COPD (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.05), and had an urgent surgical procedure (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.26). Patients with an extended ICU length of stay were also found to experience 11 additional negative outcomes. In patients undergoing CABG surgery an increased age, increased pump time, COPD, and urgent surgical procedure significantly increased the risk of an increased ICU length of stay. Patients with an increased ICU length of stay also experienced more negative outcomes.

Less Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery via Right Minithoracotomy

Current trends in cardiac surgical intervention are moving toward less invasiveness, with smaller wound or sternum-sparing, less pump time or off-pump, and beating rather than arrested heart. Data on the efficacy and safety of these newer less invasive techniques, as well as their cosmetic results, are limited. This study analyzed the results of a sternum-sparing mitral valve operation. Thirty patients with mitral valve diseases, including 20 who underwent mitral valve repair and 10 mitral valve replacement, were enrolled. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established via femoral cannulation, and blood cardioplegic arrest was induced by using a percutaneous, transthoracic cross-clamp. The main surgical wound was made over the lateral border of the right breast. Two additional small wounds were required for the transthoracic aortic clamp and the mitral retractor. There was no operative mortality, and all patients had an uneventful recovery. Two patients underwent redo mitral surgery. Nine associated procedures were performed including tricuspid valve annuloplasty in six patients, tricuspid valve replacement in two patients and atrial septal defect repair in one patient. The length of the main wound was between 5.8 and 7.8 cm (mean, 7.1 cm). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross-clamp time were 91.1 and 43.7 minutes, respectively. Although the length of stay was not significantly reduced compared with traditional median sternotomy, all patients had satisfactory results with good cosmesis. Sternum-sparing mitral valve surgery appears to be a safe and effective alternative to conventional mitral valve surgery; it is less invasive and provides superior cosmetic results for patients.

Time‐resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy of sensory rhodopsin II in the micro‐ and millisecond time range using gated cw excitation

AbstractA time‐resolved resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopic approach is presented that allows probing the dynamics of photoconvertible systems in a wide dynamics range covering more than six decades. It is based on an external opto‐electronic gating of continuous wave (cw) pump and probe lasers. Pump and probe events, the delay time as well as the repetition of this sequence can be varied from the nanosecond to the second time scale and thus adjusted to the desired time‐resolution and the recovery of the photoreversible system. Upon combination with the rotating cell technique, the approach offers several additional advantages, particularly for studying biological photoreceptors. Unlike in capillary flow systems, only small amounts of sample (ca 10 nmol) are required and no harmful mechanical stress is exerted on the proteins. External gating of cw lasers does not only provide freely adjustable pump and probe times but also avoids high pulse energies with pulsed laser excitation, thereby reducing the risk of unwanted photoinduced processes. The high potential of this approach is demonstrated by studying the formation and decay of a long‐lived intermediate (M400) of the sensory photoreceptor NpSRII from Natronobacterium pharaonis. The results are in very good agreement with the kinetic data derived from transient UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and demonstrate that this technique represents a powerful tool for studying the cofactor dynamics of biological photoreceptors in general. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Concomitant presence of subtypes of left coronary artery disease

Objective To study the risk profile associated with surgical revascularization for mixed left main and left main equivalent diseases. Methods and results Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who underwent CABG from January 1997 and December 2002 were studied. 210 patients were included of which 30.5% (64) had left main, 49.5% (104) had left main equivalent and 20% (42) had mixed type of stenotic disease. The mixed type left coronary disease was associated with very high post-operative mortality. The factors associated with mortality were degree of left main artery stenosis, cardiopulmonary bypass pump time, no. of packed cell units transfused during surgery, post-operative low cardiac output, re-exploration of chest and no. of days spent as intubated. Low cardiac output, chest re-exploration and no. of days intubated were independently associated with mortality. Conclusions “Mixed left main and left main equivalent disease” makes a large proportion of left sided CAD. It is a unique subtype associated with very high risk, and it should be treated with extra caution. Characterization of its risk profile should be done with larger studies to improve the outcome.

Hemodilution and surgical hemostasis contribute significantly to transfusion requirements in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass

We sought to determine the incidence of and risk factors for the development of low intraoperative hematocrit levels and of excessive postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, whether the risk factors are the same, and their effect on blood product transfusions. We performed a prospective cohort study of 613 adult patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in 3 tertiary, university-affiliated hospitals during the period from October 1, 2000, to March 31, 2001. Low intraoperative hematocrit levels (<19%) were found in 131 (24%) patients who had operations performed with extracorporeal circulation compared with in 3 (4%) patients with operations performed off pump. In multivariate analysis this was associated with older age, female sex, lower preoperative hemoglobin levels, lower body surface area, longer duration on bypass, and use of higher total volumes with more hydroxyethyl starch in the circuit. Low intraoperative hematocrit levels did not predict excessive postoperative hemorrhage (>1 L of mediastinal drainage in the first 12 hours). This occurred in 26% (n = 140) of patients undergoing on-pump operations and in 25% of patients undergoing off-pump operations and in multivariate analysis was associated with male sex, longer pump times, not receiving aprotinin, and operations performed by certain surgeons but not with total circuit or hydroxyethyl starch volume. We observed that the risk factors for the development of a low intraoperative hematocrit level and excessive postoperative bleeding differed. Our results suggest that decreasing these outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery requires a comprehensive approach, including limiting hemodilution, particularly in female subjects with lower preoperative hemoglobin levels, and careful attention to surgical hemostasis.

Pumping a swing by standing and squatting: do children pump time optimally?

Research in biomechanics supports the idea that humans perform skilled tasks as self-optimizing machines. A rider pumping a playground swing can be modeled adequately as a second-order system. The focus of this article is the problem of time-optimal pumping of a swing, where the rider pumps the swing by alternately standing and squatting. The rider-and-swing system is modeled as a pendulum with a bob of mass attached to a fixed support by a rope of variable length. Children playing on a swing generally stand up at the lowest point and squat at the highest. Using the Pontryagin minimum principle and techniques from geometric optimal control, it is shown that this pumping strategy is time-optimal for the problem of maximizing the amplitude of oscillation of a swing.

Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Revascularization Alone Versus Revascularization and Mitral Valve Repair

In this study we compared the surgical management of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) by revascularization alone and by revascularization combined with mitral valve repair. We studied 355 patients who underwent revascularization alone (n = 168) or revascularization combined with mitral valve repair (n = 187) for IMR from March 1994 to September 2003. Preoperative and operative characteristics, postoperative mitral regurgitation severity, operative mortality, and late survival were examined for each surgical group. No differences were noted between the two groups in age, sex, history of diabetes or hypertension, and number of bypass grafts. The combined surgical group had a lower preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (0.38 +/- 0.14 versus 0.44 +/- 0.15), greater severity of IMR, higher frequency of prior myocardial infarction, and longer cross-clamp and pump times (p < 0.01). The combined surgical group had a greater reduction in IMR grade (2.7 +/- 0.1 grades versus 0.2 +/- 0.1 grade), a lower postoperative IMR grade (0.9 +/- 0.1 versus 2.3 +/- 0.1), and a higher success with reduction of IMR by two or more grades (89% versus 11%) (p < 0.001). In patients with 3+ or 4+ IMR, both groups had similar operative mortality (11.0% in the combined group compared with 4.7% for revascularization alone, p = 0.11) and actuarial survival at 5 years (44% +/- 5% versus 41% +/- 7%, p = 0.53). Independently predictive of higher early mortality (< or = 30 days) by Cox analysis were longer pump time (p < 0.001) and older age (p < 0.02). Predictive of late mortality (> 30 days) were older age (p < 0.001), fewer bypass grafts (p < 0.01), and lower ejection fraction (p < 0.01). After adjustment for these variables, there was a trend (p = 0.08) toward a higher late survival with the combined surgical procedure. In patients with IMR, combined mitral valve repair and revascularization resulted in less postoperative mitral regurgitation and similar 5-year survival when compared with revascularization alone. Attempts to reduce pump time by using off-pump techniques may reduce early mortality in these high-risk patients.

Timing of Chest Tube Removal After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Assessing the impact of chest tube removal timing following a coronary artery bypass grafting surgery on the clinical outcome. Eighty-three consecutive patients were randomly assigned to either have the chest tube removed 24 hours (Group A) or 48 hours (Group B) postoperatively. Chest tubes were removed on the condition that drainage was less than 100 cc for the last 8 hours. Pre- and postoperative data were analyzed. The following preoperative and intraoperative risk factors were more prevalent among Group A patients: previous MI (60.5% vs 40.7%, p = 0.11), previous CVA (9.1% vs 0%, p = 0.11), hypertension (72.7% vs 55.6%, p = 0.14), pump time (111.6 min vs 96.8 min, p = 0.07), and cross-clamp time (73.8 min vs 64.4 min, p = 0.07). Postoperatively, there was a lower demand for analgesics in Group A (2.1 times for 12 hours at 36 hours vs 3.6 p = 0.09), lower white blood cell count (10,947 at 48 hours vs 11,576, p = 0.39) a higher oxygen saturation (91.9% at 48 hours vs 88.9%, p = 0.07), higher expiratory volumes (594 mL at 36 hours vs 514 mL p = 0.08) and earlier mobilization (23% walking at 48 hours vs 4%, p = 0.01). Pleural effusion and atelectasis were less frequent in Group A in both chest X-rays (66% vs 73%, p = 0.6 and 64% vs 75%, p = 0.47, respectively) and CT scans (19% vs 41%, p = 0.1 and 84% vs 96%, p = 0.42, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups in the prevalence of serous wound discharge and the length of hospital stay and there were no reported cases of pneumonia throughout the study. In cases where no excessive drainage accumulates, early removal of the chest tubes was found to be a policy that improves the postoperative outcome and decreases the need for supportive treatment such as analgetics, physiotherapy, nurse care, and oxygen. This policy did not involve significant residual effusions.

Epicardial Microwave Application in Chronic Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

The search for alternative epicardial energy sources in the treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is a relatively new aspect of the evolving spectrum of Maze operations. We tested the hypothesis that epicardial microwave ablation produces identical results to those of the standard cryosurgical Maze. Fourteen consecutive patients with chronic AF underwent on-pump epicardial Maze procedures after routine cardiac surgery. The results were compared with those of 14 control patients selected from our Maze database of 280 patients. There were no differences in age, sex, cardiothoracic ratio, duration of AF, pump time, intensive care unit or hospital stays. The aortic cross clamp time with epicardial microwave was, however, shortened from 110 to 65 minutes (p=0.011). The recurrence rate of AF after discharge showed no significant difference between the two groups (14% vs. 15%, p=0.841). Epicardial microwave ablation might be a valuable alternative to the conventional cryosurgical Maze procedure, especially for those patients without associated mitral valve disease.

The Influence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: An 8-Year Prospective Cohort Study

<h3>Objective:</h3> To prospectively assess whether there are any outcome differences between patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. <h3>Study design:</h3> This was an 8-year, prospective hospitalization cohort study. Data were collected on 225 variables concurrently with hospital admission. The main outcome was total operative mortality. In addition, we evaluated 12 morbidity outcomes. To minimize confounding, we controlled for 16 other variables. <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 6,711 patients were available for our analysis (diabetic patients, 2,178; and nondiabetic patients, 4,533). The diabetic patients were significantly more likely to be women, to have more left ventricular hypertrophy, to have a history of cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, and COPD, to have a greater body surface area, to have higher creatinine levels, to be African-American, to have undergone more elective procedures, to have a shorter pump time, and to have less of a history of tobacco use compared to nondiabetic patients (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis found no significant difference between the two groups for all 12 morbidity outcomes of interest. Diabetic patients experienced significantly more mortality than nondiabetic patients (relative risk, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 2.30; p < 0.004). <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Patients with type 2 diabetes who are undergoing CABG surgery experience significantly more total operative mortality compared to nondiabetic patients, even after controlling for multiple variables. There was no difference between the groups for 12 morbidity outcomes.

Analysis of Photosensitivity of Copolymer Optical FibrePreform

The photosensitivity of copolymer optical fibre preform is analysed incomparison with the doped one. The effects of write conditions such aspump power and pump time have been studied. Then, the preform is drawninto single mode polymer optical fibre with core refractive index of1.499, and core-cladding refractive-index difference of 0.008.Long-period birefringence gratings with period of 120 um are fabricatedin the fibre. The duty cycle is 50%, and the refractive index changein the exposed area is about 1×10−3.

Rigid-plate fixation for the treatment of sternal nonunion

Sterile sternal nonunion is defined as a persistent fracture of the sternum after 3 months without signs of healing. It is a morbid condition characterized by sternal instability, pain, and the absence of infection. In addition to being a crippling condition, one can assume that sternal instability can lead to more serious conditions. Two causes for sternal nonunion have been described: it can be the result of cardiac surgical intervention or trauma. Regardless of the cause, only a few studies have addressed the entity of sterile sternal nonunion and its treatment. We present 6 cases of sterile sternal nonunion, including its presentation, treatment with open reduction and rigid-plate fixation with the Sternalock system (W. Lorenz Surgical, Inc, Jacksonville, Fla), and the outcomes.

Determinants of early and late outcome for reoperations of the proximal aorta

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the cause of ascending aorta and aortic arch reoperations and to identify determinants of early and late outcome. Methods Between January 1991 and March 2003 we repaired aneurysms of the proximal aorta in 597 patients. Of these patients, 104 had reoperations for replacement of the ascending aorta, aortic root, or transverse aortic arch. Previous surgery was defined as any previous cardiac or proximal aortic repair. Median age was 60 years, and 29 of the patients (28%) were female. Indications for reoperation and replacement of the proximal aorta included acute type A dissection in 6 patients (5.8%), aneurysm with chronic dissection in 60 (57.7%), progression of aneurysm in 23 (22.1%), infection in 12 (1.5%), inflammatory disease in 2 (1.9%), and atheromatous disease in 1 (1.0%). Reoperations included aortic root replacement in 20 patients (19.2%), total arch replacement with elephant trunk in 28 (26.7%), ascending and proximal arch in 39 (37.5%), and ascending aorta in 27 (26.0%). The median interval between operations was 69 months. Retrograde cerebral perfusion was used in 80 (77%) cases. Results Chronic dissection was the most common indicator for reoperation in our population, followed by progression of aneurysm and infection. Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality was 13.5% (14 of 104) and 15.4% (16 of 104), respectively. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal dysfunction, and increased pump time were risk factors for mortality. Median follow-up was 5.02 years. Eight patients died during that period. Estimated survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 83%, 80%, and 62%, respectively. Freedom from second proximal reoperations was 97.1% (10 of 104). Freedom from subsequent distal thoracic aortic repair was 84.6% (8 of 104). Conclusions Reoperations of the ascending aorta and aortic arch can be performed safely with good long-term results. Patients with previous proximal aortic dissection repair need long-term surveillance. Renal dysfunction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease must be carefully considered before reoperations of the proximal aorta.

New-onset sustained ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation early after cardiac operations

Background Malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmia early after cardiac surgery is an uncommon arrhythmic complication but has a negative impact on mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of new-onset sustained postoperative ventricular tachycardia-ventricular fibrillation and to identify risk factors for the dysrhythmia. Methods Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data, including a variable of postoperative ventricular tachycardia, were prospectively obtained from 4,748 patients undergoing nonemergency coronary artery bypass graft and(or) valve replacement with no history of sustained ventricular tachycardia or sudden death. A detailed analysis was performed to define the risk factors for the ventricular tachycardia and the prognostic impact of the arrhythmia on 30-day mortality was evaluated. Results Forty-five patients (0.95%) had sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation and the initial episode occurred 3.9 ± 5.2 days (mean ± standard deviation) after surgery. By multivariate analysis, female sex (odds ratio, 1.982), left ventricular ejection fraction (< 35%: > 50%, 4.771), the presence of pulmonary hypertension (3.066), the presence of systemic hypertension (2.391), and pump time (per 10 minutes, 1.085) were independently associated with the dysrhythmias. Early mortality of patients with the arrhythmia was 28.9%, strikingly higher than that of patients without ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (1.9%). Conclusions Left ventricular ejection fraction is the strongest risk factor for new-onset postoperative sustained ventricular tachycardia-ventricular fibrillation; female sex, pump time, pulmonary and systemic hypertension are independent predictors of the dysrhythmias; the arrhythmia is associated with increased 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery.

Separate grafts or en bloc anastomosis for arch vessels reimplantation to the aortic arch

Background This study compares the results of the separated graft technique and the en bloc technique as a method of arch vessels reimplantation during surgery of the aortic arch and determines the predictive risk factors associated with hospital mortality and adverse neurologic outcome during aortic arch repair. Methods Between October 1995 and March 2002, 352 patients (mean age 64.9 ± 11.3 years; urgent status: 49/352 [13.9%]) underwent surgery of the aortic arch using the separated graft technique (group A: n = 230 [65.3%]) and the en bloc technique (group B: n = 122 [34.7%]) to reimplant the arch vessels. An aortic arch replacement was performed in 32 patients (9.1%), an ascending aorta and arch replacement in 222 patients (53.1%), an aortic arch and descending aorta replacement in 16 patients (4.5%), and a complete replacement of the thoracic aorta in 82 patients (23.3%). Brain protection was achieved by means of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion in all patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 204.8 ± 61.9 minutes (group A: 199.7 ± 57.0 minutes; group B: 214.5 ± 69.4 minutes; p = 0.033), the mean myocardial ischemic time was 121.5 ± 43.2 minutes (group A: 116.7 ± 38.9 minutes; group B: 130.80 ± 49.4 minutes; p = 0.003), and the mean antegrade selective cerebral perfusion time was 84.5 ± 36.4 (group A: separated graft technique 91.3 ± 36.3 minutes; group B: 70.6 ± 32.7 minutes; p = 0.000). Results Overall hospital mortality was 6.8% (group A: 6.5%; group B: 7.4%; p = not significant [NS]). The permanent neurologic dysfunction rate was 3.5% (group A: 4.0%; group B: 2.5%; p = NS). The transient neurologic dysfunction rate was 5.4% (group A: 5.5%; group B: 5.2%, p = NS). Postoperative systemic morbidity was similar in the two groups. A logistic regression analysis revealed preoperative cardiac tamponade ( p = 0.011; odds ratio [OR] = 5.9) and cardiopulmonary bypass time ( p = 0.010; OR = 1.01/min) to be independent predictors of hospital mortality. None of the analyzed preoperative variables were associated with an increased risk of permanent neurologic dysfunction. Age more than 70 years old ( p = 0.029, OR = 5.7), myocardial revascularization ( p = 0.001, OR = 2.9), and pump time ( p = 0.013, OR = 1.01/min) were indicated as independent predictors of transient neurologic dysfunction by logistic regression. Conclusions Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion was confirmed to be a safe method of cerebral protection allowing complex aortic arch operations to be performed with acceptable results in terms of hospital mortality and neurologic outcome. The separated graft technique had no adverse impact on hospital mortality and morbidity.

Composite arterial grafts versus conventional grafting for coronary artery bypass grafting

Objectives Composite arterial grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery allow complete arterial revascularization but are limited by the inflow of a single internal thoracic artery supplying all the grafted vessels. We reviewed the safety of composite arterial grafts using either bilateral internal thoracic arteries or a single internal thoracic artery and radial artery. Methods From January 1999 to July 2002, 402 consecutive patients receiving composite grafts only were compared to a control group of patients (n = 542) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with internal thoracic artery and saphenous veins operated upon by the same surgeons. Two different statistical approaches were used to compare groups in this retrospective analysis. First, propensity score analysis with greedy matching technique was used to match patients from each group. Second, a multivariate analysis was performed looking at a combined patient outcome of death, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation utilization, myocardial infarction, stroke, and prolonged ventilation on all patients in both groups. Results After matching by propensity score, the major clinical outcomes in composite arterial (n = 249) and control (n = 249) groups were found to be similar. The in-hospital mortality in the composite group was 1.2% as compared with 0.4% in matched patients ( P = .62). However, patients in the composite group were found to have a significantly longer pump time ( P < .0001), longer clamp time ( P < .0001), increased incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation (12.8% vs 4.8%; P = .002), and higher incidence of combined morbidity outcome (13.6% vs 6.4%; P = .007) as compared with matched patients. Multivariable analysis showed that composite arterial grafting was an independent predictor of the combined morbidity outcome with an odds ratio of 2.1 (1.2-3.7). Conclusions These findings suggest that composite arterial grafting may be associated with an increase in risk-adjusted patient morbidity when compared with a conventional coronary artery bypass grafting group, although a mortality difference was not demonstrable.

Heparin-coated circuits and reduced systemic anticoagulation applied to 2500 consecutive first-time coronary artery bypass grafting procedures

Background In contrast to the widespread popularity of off-pump techniques for coronary artery bypass grafting, our institution has chosen a different strategy, emphasizing improvements in the technology for extracorporeal circulation, as well as simplifying surgical and clinical management. The clinical short-term results of this approach were analyzed. Methods The on-pump strategy includes routine use of heparin-coated circuits combined with low systemic heparinization (activated coagulation time of more than 250 seconds), intention of total revascularization within limited ischemic times and pump times, minimal use of blood transfusions, early extubation, and rapid postoperative recovery. The data from the first 2,500 consecutive first-time coronary artery bypass grafting patients (January 1998 to February 2002) treated with this protocol were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were 487 female (median age 68 years) and 2013 male (median age 64 years) patients. A median of four (one to nine) (mean 4.5 ± 1.2) distal anastomoses were created, and the median aortic cross-clamp time and pump time were 34 and 54 minutes, respectively. At least one internal mammary artery was used in 99.7% of the patients. Blood or bank blood products were given to 118 patients (4.7%). Median extubation time was 1.5 hours. The stroke rate was 0.8%, transient neurologic deficits occurred in 0.6% of the patients, and the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was 1.1%. By the fifth day, 91% of the patients were ready for discharge. Seven patients (0.28%) died during their hospital stay. Conclusions Coronary artery bypass grafting with heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass circuits and reduced systemic anticoagulation resulted in excellent clinical results, with minimal blood transfusions and rapid postoperative mobilization. The high number of grafted coronary arteries indicates complete revascularization in most patients, which is known to be a significant predictor of long-term event-free survival.

Brain protection using antegrade selective cerebral perfusion: a multicenter study

Background To evaluate the results of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion as a method of brain protection during surgery of the thoracic aorta and to determine predictors of hospital mortality and adverse neurologic outcome. Methods Between October 1995 and March 2002, 588 patients underwent aortic surgery with the aid of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion. There were 334 men (56.8%); the mean age was 63.7 ± 11.8 years. One hundred sixty-two patients (27.6%) underwent urgent operation. The separated graft technique was employed to reimplant the arch vessels in 230 patients (65.3%) of the 352 requiring aortic arch replacement. Associated procedures were performed in 254 patients (43.2%). One hundred twelve patients underwent elephant trunk procedure. The mean cerebral perfusion time was 67 ± 37 minutes. Results The overall hospital mortality rate was 8.7%. A logistic regression analysis revealed urgent operation, recent central neurologic event, tamponade, unplanned coronary artery revascularization and pump time to be independent predictors of hospital mortality ( p < 0.05). The permanent neurologic dysfunction rate was 3.8%. A logistic regression analysis showed tamponade to be independent predictor of permanent neurologic dysfunction ( p < 0.05). The transient neurologic dysfunction rate was 5.6%. Recent central neurologic event, tamponade, coronary disease, and aortic valve replacement were indicated as independent predictors of transient neurologic dysfunction by logistic regression ( p < 0.05). Conclusions In our experience the utilization of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion resulted in encouraging results in terms of hospital mortality and brain complications. Neither the extent of the replacement nor the duration of the cerebral perfusion had an impact on hospital mortality and neurologic outcome.

Hypotension, acidosis and vasodilation syndrome after heart transplant: incidence, risk factors, and prognosis

Background HAV syndrome, the combination of hypotension, acidosis and vasodilation (HAV), is a serious postoperative complication after heart transplantation (HT). Its etiology and prognosis are poorly understood. Aim To determine the incidence and prognosis of post-HT HAV syndrome and examine possible risk factors. Methods Retrospective examination of the records of 85 consecutive patients who underwent HT between December 1999 and June 2002 sought the HAV criteria: systolic BP <85 mm Hg plus HCO 3 <19 mEq/l whole excluding cardiogenic, hypovolemic and septic shock. Donor variables included sex, age, weight, height, cause of death, time in ICU, and ischemic time; while recipient variables, sex, age, weight, height, etiology of cardiopathy, previous cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, preoperative amiodarone, β-blockers, catecholamines, mechanical ventilation or intra aortic balloon pump (IABP), RVP, time on waiting list, pump time, reoperations, polytransfusion, preoperative creatinine, GOT, GPT and GGT, induction with OKT3 or anti-CD25, bypass-to-HAV time, duration of catecholamine treatment, and 1 month survival after HT. Results The 11 HAV cases (13%) appeared between 1 and 72 h after HT (75% in the first hour). Catecholamines were used for 1 to 6 days; control was achieved within 48 h in 58% of cases. Two HAV patients (18%) died within the first month versus six non-HAV patients (8.1%) ( P = .275). Only polytransfusion showed more than a borderline value to predict HAV syndrome. Conclusions HAV syndrome has an incidence of 13% and a mortality of 18% within 1 month post-HT. The only likely risk factor is polytransfusion.

Coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with poor left ventricular function.

Patients undergoing isolated first-time elective coronary bypass surgery were classified according to their preoperative ejection fraction: group 1 comprised 131 patients with poor left ventricular function (ejection fraction < 40%); group 2 was 1,496 control patients. The mean number of distal anastomoses was not significantly different in the 2 groups, however, clamp time, pump time, and operative time were longer in group 1. Patient recovery was significantly slower in group 1. Morbidity (14.5% in group 1 versus 7.4% in group 2, p < 0.005) and mortality (2.3% versus 0.1%, p < 0.0001) were higher in group 1. During late follow-up, the 5-year survival rate (70.1% versus 90.5%) and 5-year event-free rate (65.6% versus 81.9%) were significantly inferior in group 1 compared to group 2. The results of bypass surgery in cases of decreased left ventricular function were poor, and such patients need to be carefully followed up.