Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography using a quantitative dynamic loading test for the evaluation of ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Background: Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography may underestimate ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) as a result of the unloading effect of general anesthesia on the left ventricle (LV). An intraoperative loading test could prove useful to avoid underestimation of ischemic MR.

Methods: We prospectively studied 30 patients with ischemic MR referred for coronary artery bypass, mitral valve surgery, or both.

Strict thermoregulation attenuates myocardial injury during coronary artery bypass graft surgery as reflected by reduced levels of cardiac-specific troponin I.

We assessed the cardioprotective effects of perioperative maintenance of normothermia by determining the perioperative profile of troponin I, a highly cardiac-specific protein important in risk stratification of patients with acute ischemic events. Candidates for their primary coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomized into a new thermoregulation system group, Allon( thermoregulation (AT; n = 30), and a routine thermal care (RTC; n = 30) group. Anesthetic and operative techniques were similar in both groups.