Myocardial oxidative stress protection by sevoflurane vs. propofol: a randomised controlled study in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Context: Myocardial oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of ischaemia-reperfusion injury associated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Both propofol and volatile anaesthetics have been shown to reduce reactive oxygen species in experimental and clinical studies.

Main Objective: To compare the influence of sevoflurane and propofol on myocardial oxidative stress markers (F2-isoprostanes and nitrates/nitrites) in coronary sinus blood samples from patients undergoing off-pump CABG.

Endovascular stent grafting for acute thoracic aortic pathology.

Background: Endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta has shown reduced morbidity and mortality compared with open surgery. We describe our experience with endovascular stent grafting in the treatment of acute thoracic aortic pathology.

Methods: From October 2003 to January 2008, 25 patients underwent endovascular stent graft repair of the thoracic aorta.