Beneficial effects of complement inhibition with soluble complement receptor 1 (TP10) during cardiac surgery: is there a gender difference?

Background: TP10, a potent inhibitor of complement activation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of death and myocardial infarction (MI) in high-risk male patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the effect of TP10 in females was undefined because of the limited number of females studied. To examine the possibility of a gender effect, this phase 2 multi-center trial was undertaken to determine whether TP10 would also limit ischemic damage in a larger sample size of high-risk females undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Endoscopic versus conventional radial artery harvest--is smaller better?

Background: We sought to assess our initial experience with the recently introduced technique of endoscopic radial artery harvest (ERH) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Data were prospectively collected on 108 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG with ERH, and compared to 120 patients having conventional harvest (CH). Follow-up was achieved in 227 patients (99%).

OPCAB for acute LAD dissection due to blunt chest trauma.

A 40-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a truck and was admitted with multiple injuries including blunt chest trauma. Electrocardiogram revealed acute anterior ST-segment elevation and myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography demonstrated acute ostial left anterior descending coronary artery dissection.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction--early and mid-term outcomes.

Background: The prevalence of patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is increasing. The aim of the present study was to assess the outcomes of patients with severe LVD undergoing CABG.

Methods: Outcomes of 115 consecutive patients with severe LVD (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]30% (HEF).

Dual-beam ultrasound versus transit-time flow meter for intraoperative graft flow measurement during coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: : Assessment of graft flow during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is increasingly practiced as a quality measure, particularly in patients undergoing minimally invasive or "off-pump" revascularization. Transit-time flow meters such as Transonic system (TS) are currently the most frequently used technology. The QuantixOR flow probe (QOR) is a novel technology comprised of dual-beam ultrasound transducer and a digital pulse-wave Doppler, allowing immediate, quantitative blood flow measurements.

Endoscopic versus conventional radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: functional and histologic assessment of the conduit.

Background: The radial artery's propensity for vasospasm and vulnerability to surgical trauma are well known. A less invasive endoscopic method to harvest the radial artery was recently introduced, but its effect on radial artery integrity is unknown.

Methods: To compare the effects of harvest method on radial artery function, we prospectively randomized 54 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with the radial artery into 3 groups on the basis of harvest techniques: endoscopic, conventional with cautery, and conventional with harmonic scalpel.

Endoscopic radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: initial clinical experience.

Background: Recently, an endoscopic technique was developed to harvest the radial artery (RA) via a 3-cm wrist incision in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The aim of this study was to evaluate our initial clinical experience with this technology.

Methods: Data were prospectively collected on 75 consecutive patients undergoing CABG with endoscopic RA harvest using the Ultra-Retractor (CardioVations, Somerville, NJ, USA) and the harmonic scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH, USA).