Can preoperative myocardial perfusion scintigraphy predict changes in left ventricular perfusion and function after coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

OBJECTIVES We wanted to evaluate whether preoperative myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) could predict changes in cardiac symptoms and postoperative myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS Ninety-two patients with stable angina pectoris (and at least one occluded coronary artery) underwent MPS before, and 6 months after, undergoing CABG. The result of the MPS was kept secret from the surgeons.

Prevention of atrial fibrillation in patients with aortic valve stenosis with candesartan treatment after aortic valve replacement.

Background: Accumulating data has suggested that treatment with Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists can prevent the new onset of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether treatment with candesartan on top of conventional treatment could prevent new onset AF in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) after aortic valve replacement.

Methods And Results: The study was a single centre, consecutive; investigator initiated study using a prospective randomised blinded endpoint design.

Angiography-based prediction of outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery versus changes in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Objectives: The present study compared the clinical prediction of the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on coronary blood flow and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with changes in gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Methods: A prospective group of 92 patients underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy before and 6 months after CABG, the results being kept secret from the surgeon. Based on clinical and angiographic findings, the surgeons filled in a questionnaire indicating the predicted changes in coronary blood flow in each of the three coronary artery territories and in the LVEF.

Noninvasive assessment of filling pressure and left atrial pressure overload in severe aortic valve stenosis: relation to ventricular remodeling and clinical outcome after aortic valve replacement.

Objective: One of the hemodynamic consequences of aortic valve stenosis is pressure overload leading to left atrial dilatation. Left atrial size is a known risk factor providing prognostic information in several cardiac conditions. It is not known if this is also the case in patients with aortic valve stenosis after aortic valve replacement.

Effect of candesartan treatment on left ventricular remodeling after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis.

In hypertension, angiotensin receptor blockers can augment regression of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. It is not known whether this also is the case after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS). To test the hypothesis that treatment with candesartan in addition to conventional treatment is able to augment LV and left atrial (LA) reverse remodeling in patients with AS undergoing AVR, we studied 114 patients scheduled for AVR.

[Mediastinitis following cardiac surgery. Patient insurance reports].

Introduction: Mediastinitis in cardiac surgery is a well-known complication associated with high morbidity, invalidity, and mortality. Since the establishment by law of patients insurance in Denmark 1992, it has been possible to get compensation in some instances.

Materials And Methods: During a period of 8 years (1996-2003) 30 cases of mediastinitis were reported to the Danish Patient Insurance Association (DPIA).

Revascularization compared to medical treatment in patients with silent vs. symptomatic residual ischemia after thrombolyzed myocardial infarction--the DANAMI study.

Aims: The aim was to compare the effect of revascularization to conservative treatment in patients with residual silent and with residual symptomatic ischemia following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The study was a subanalysis of the DANAMI (DANish AMI) randomized study of invasive vs. conservative treatment in patients with inducible ischemia after thrombolysis in AMI.

[Coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery in older patients. Incidence, complications and mortality, 1999-2003].

Introduction: Persons over 70 years of age are the fastest-growing segment of the population. A major proportion of these elderly have ischemic heart disease and may need treatment. We describe the development of mechanical coronary revascularization in patients aged 70-79 years versus those 80 years of age or older over a five-year period.

[Endovascular treatment of diseases of the descending thoracic aorta].

Introduction: Endovascular repair as treatment of aortic diseases seems promising. We report the first Danish results of endografting of the descending thoracic aorta.

Materials And Methods: Nineteen patients (median age 68 years, range 22-78 years) underwent endovascular treatment of diseases in the descending thoracic aorta: atherosclerotic aneurysm (n = 7), ruptured aneurysm (n = 3), Type B dissection (n = 3), traumatic rupture (n = 3), pseudoaneurysm (n = 2) and a defective aortic prosthesis (n = 1).

Coronary artery bypass grafting within the first year after treatment of large acute myocardial infarctions with angioplasty or fibrinolysis.

Objectives: To calculate the incidence and analyse and outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within the first year after randomisation of 1,572 patients with acute myocardial infarctions with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) to either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or fibrinolysis.

Design: The study includes 131 patients: 108 male and 23 female with a mean age 62 years.

Results: The total 30-day mortality after CABG was 4.

[Five years (1995-2000) of coronary artery bypass surgery at the Odense University Hospital].

Introduction: A large-scale Danish study on late outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) has never been done. We therefore did a retrospective study and follow-up of 2,333 patients, accounting for 2,361 consecutive CABS operations over a five-year period.

Materials And Methods: The material consisted of 23.

Coronary artery bypass grafting within 30 days after treatment of acute myocardial infarctions with angioplasty or fibrinolysis - a surgical substudy of DANAMI-2.

Objective: To calculate the incidence and analyse the indications and outcome after surgical revascularization within the first 30 days after randomization of 1572 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) associated with ST-segment elevation (STEMI).

Design: Data regarding the patients undergoing heart surgery within the first 30 days after randomization were collected.

Results: Three patients (0.

[Protamine allergy in heart surgery].

A 68-year-old woman was admitted for open heart surgery. She had no history of allergy, but had suffered acute heart failure after having received protamine twice. Possible predisposition to adverse reactions is discussed and ways of reducing adverse reactions to protamine are suggested.