Administration of low molecular weight and unfractionated heparin during percutaneous coronary intervention.

This systematic review with meta-analysis sought to determine the efficacy and safety of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention. Medline, Embase, Elsevier, and web of knowledge as well as Google scholar literature were used for selecting appropriate studies with randomized controlled design. After screening 445 studies, a total of 23 trials (including a total of 43,912 patients) were identified that reported outcomes.

Safety and efficacy of glucose-insulin-potassium treatment in coronary artery bypass graft surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate protective effects of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We systematically searched Medline/Pubmed, Elsevier, Embase, Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar. A total of 1206 studies were retrieved during the extensive literature search of all major databases; however, 38 trials reporting the end-point of interest were selected.

Current status of sodium bicarbonate in coronary angiography: an updated comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review.

This systematic review with meta-analysis sought to determine comparison of efficacy and safety of hydration with sodium bicarbonate versus sodium chloride on contrast induced nephropathy and clinical outcomes. We searched major electronic databases for studies in randomized controlled trials. A value of P < 0.

Protective effects of corticosteroids in coronary artery bypass graft surgery alone or combined with valvular surgery: an updated and comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review.

This systematic review with meta-analysis sought to determine the protective effects of corticosteroids on clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Medline, Embase, Elsevier and Sciences online database as well as Google scholar literature were used for selecting appropriate studies with randomized controlled design. The effect sizes measured were odds ratio (OR) for categorical variables and weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) for calculating differences between mean values of duration of hospitalization in intervention and control groups.

Administration of erythropoietin in patients with myocardial infarction: does it make sense? An updated and comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review.

This systematic review with meta-analysis sought to determine protective effects of erythropoietin on clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Medline, Embase, Elsevier and Sciences online database as well as Google scholar literature were used for selecting appropriate studies with randomized controlled design. The effect sizes measured were odds ratio (OR) for categorical variables and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval for calculating differences between mean values of duration of hospitalization in intervention and control groups.

Should the integrity of the pleura during internal mammary artery harvesting be preserved?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether preservation of the pleura during internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting improved clinical outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. More than 210 papers were found using the reported search, of which 18 presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Antioxidant supplementations for prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: an updated comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials.

This systematic review with meta-analysis sought to determine the impact of antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine [NAC], polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs] and vitamins) on incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and duration of length of hospital stay. Medline, Embase, Elsevier, Sciences online database and Google Scholar literature search was made for studies in randomized controlled trials. The effect sizes measured were odds ratio (OR) for categorical variable and standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for calculating differences between mean values of duration of hospitalization in intervention and control groups.

Can preoperative serum level of creatinine predict new-onset atrial fibrillation in non-diabetic male patients undergoing open heart surgery? A retrograde view.

Renal dysfunction is a risk marker in patients who candidate for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Renal disorder is associated with prolonged stays in intensive care unit and hospital, morbidity and mortality. Aim of this study is specific evaluation of association between preoperative creatinine (Cr) with atrial fibrillation (AF) after elective off-pump CABG in non-diabetic male patients with normal ejection fraction.

Costochondritis caused by Aspergillus flavus following cardiac surgery.

Mediastinitis is an infrequent complication after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) that is associated with prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stay, and increased early and late morbidity and mortality. Patients with mediastinitis have an osteoporotic, fragile, and broken sternum. All foreign bodies as well as infected tissue should be removed.

N-acetylcysteine instead of theophylline in patients with COPD who are candidates for elective off-pump CABG surgery: Is it possible in cardiovascular surgery unit?

Background: Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is a good predictor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is characterized by a chronic limitation of airflow. This study was designed to compare the effects and complications of theophylline alone, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) alone, and a combination of the two drugs on the rates of FEV1 in patients with COPD who were candidates for off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

On pump versus off pump coronary artery bypass surgery in patients over seventy years old with triple vessels disease and severe left ventricle dysfunction: focus on early clinical outcomes.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading reason of morbidity in older people. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is the most common type of operations in world. This study was designed to characterize comparison of early clinical outcome following on pump vs.

What is the exact predictive role of preoperative white blood cell count for new-onset atrial fibrillation following open heart surgery?

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 30% patients on the second or third day post operation; therefore, it is the most prevalent and complicated arrhythmia after open heart surgery. White blood cell (WBC) count seems to be most significantly associated with cardiovascular disorders. This study was designed to evaluate the exact relationship between preoperative WBC count and post-Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) AF in patients with severe left ventricle (LV) dysfunction who underwent elective off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Intra-operative grading of coronary artery atherosclerosis associated with homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women undergoing elective off-pump CABG surgery.

Background: Atherosclerosis is one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality, in postmenopausal women. Homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid product of methionine metabolism, may play an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between intra-operative grading of coronary artery atherosclerosis and homocysteine level in postmenopausal women who were candidates for off-pump coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Effect of transfusion on dizziness in anemic patients after elective off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: Neurological disorders are common complications following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Dizziness in convalescence period is of high importance because it can prolong patient's stay at the hospital and decrease in sense of rehealing. Transfusion indication is seen in hemoglobin levels <7 g/dl; however, dizziness has been frequently observed in patients with hemoglobin levels 7-10 g/dl and they have dramatic response to transfusion.

Preoperative C-reactive protein can predict early clinical outcomes following elective off-pump CABG surgery in patients with severe left ventricle dysfunction.

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia following elective off-pump coronary bypass graft (CABG) surgery, occurring on the 2(nd) or 3(rd) postoperative day. Postoperative atrial fibrillation and early complications may be the cause of long term morbidity and mortality after hospital discharge. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) seems to be most significantly associated with cardiovascular disorders.

Atrial Fibrillation and Early Clinical Outcomes After Mitral Valve Surgery in Patients with Rheumatic vs. Non-Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after open heart surgery that can lead to early morbidity and mortality following operation. Mitral stenosis (MS) is a structural abnormality of the mitral valve apparatus that can be resulted from previous rheumatic fever or non-rheumatic fever such as congenital mitral stenosis, malignant carcinoid disease etc. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that type of mitral stenosis can affect the incidence, duration and frequency of AF post mitral valve replacement.

Effect of prophylactic low dose of methylprednisolone on postoperative new atrial fibrillation and early complications in patients with severe LV dysfunction undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiothoracic surgery. AF following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is associated with an increase in morbidity, mortality, hemodynamic instability, thromboembolic events, severity of heart failure and ICU and hospital stay. Corticosteroids have a variety of beneficial effects on recovery after elective surgery.