Hemodynamic changes during posterior vessel off-pump coronary artery bypass: comparison between deep pericardial sutures and vacuum-assisted apical suction device.

Background: Displacement of the heart to expose posterior vessels during off-pump coronary artery bypass may cause hemodynamic derangement. The aims of this study were (1) to elucidate the hemodynamic changes during off-pump coronary artery bypass for the obtuse marginal branch (OM) of the left circumflex artery; and (2) to compare the hemodynamic changes caused by a deep pericardial suture technique with those caused by a vacuum-assisted apical suction device for displacement of the heart.

Methods: Hemodynamic changes during posterior vessel off-pump coronary artery bypass were studied in a prospective randomized manner.

Prophylactic milrinone during OPCAB of posterior vessels: implication in angina patients taking beta-blockers.

Objective: To determine whether a phosphodiesterase type 3 inhibitor can improve hemodynamics during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) of posterior vessels in patients on beta(1)-adrenoreceptor blockers.

Methods: Thirty patients scheduled for OPCAB of the obtuse marginal artery (OM), and taking atenolol 100 mg a day were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive either milrinone or placebo. Hemodynamic data were obtained after induction, before pericardial incision, during left anterior descending artery grafting, during OM grafting, and after removal of the stabilizer.

Effects of propofol on the activity of rat glutamate transporter type 3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes: the role of protein kinase C.

We investigated the effects of propofol on one type of glutamate transporter, excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3) and the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating these effects. Rat EAAT3 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes. L-glutamate (30 microM)-induced membrane currents were measured.

The effects of lidocaine on the activity of glutamate transporter EAAT3: the role of protein kinase C and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

Unlabelled: Using two electrode voltage clamps, we investigated the effects of lidocaine on one type of glutamate transporter, EAAT3, and the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in mediating the lidocaine effects. EAAT3 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and membrane currents were recorded after the application of L-glutamate (30 microM). Lidocaine increased glutamate-induced inward currents significantly at 2 concentrations (100 microM and 1 mM), but not at other concentrations.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass with complete avoidance of aortic manipulation.

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) with complete avoidance of aortic manipulation may further reduce perioperative morbidity in addition to the benefits achieved by avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed 222 consecutive patients with multivessel disease who underwent OPCAB without aortic manipulation (group I), and compared them with 123 consecutive patients who underwent OPCAB using additional free arterial or saphenous vein grafts that were anastomosed on the ascending aorta (group II) and 76 consecutive patients who underwent on-pump conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (group III).

Results: No significant differences were noted in operative mortalities among the three groups (2/222, 3/123, and 2/76 in groups I, II, and III, respectively; p = NS).

Bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery graftings in off-pump coronary artery bypass: early result of Y versus in situ grafts.

Background: Use of bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) retains several advantages that may eventually result in better patient outcomes. We compared the early results of OPCAB using bilateral ITAs as Y grafts with results of OPCAB using bilateral ITAs as in situ grafts.

Methods: A total of 223 consecutive patients who underwent OPCAB using bilateral skeletonized ITAs as Y grafts (group I, n = 113) or in situ grafts (group II, n = 110) were studied.

Case report: pulmonary soiling after one-lung ventilation with a bronchial blocker.

Purpose: To report a case of pulmonary soiling of the dependent and of the non-dependent remaining lung when a Univent tube was used to achieve one-lung ventilation (OLV).

Clinical Features: A 61-yr-old, 158-cm, 61-kg woman was scheduled for the resection of a lung cancer in the left lower lobe. An internal diameter 7.