Intraoperative pressure measurement in radial artery harvest. A tool with additional value?

Objectives: The radial artery is widely used as a graft in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Due to its location and function it should be screened prior to harvesting to avoid ischaemic complications of the hand. In acute situations the Allen test is often the only preoperative screening method available.

Metoprolol versus amiodarone in the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a randomized trial.

Background: Current guidelines recommend β-blockers as the first-line preventive treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery. Despite this, 19% of physicians report using amiodarone as first-line prophylaxis of postoperative AF. Data directly comparing the efficacy of these agents in preventing postoperative AF are lacking.

Pulmonary function and immediate and late outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pulmonary function as assessed by spirometry affects the immediate and late outcome after isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

Methods: Data on preoperative percentages of the predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were retrieved from a series of 1848 patients who underwent isolated CABG. Pulmonary disease was defined according to EuroSCORE criteria.

Coronary artery bypass surgery in octogenarians: long-term outcome can be better than expected.

Background: We have reviewed our experience with octogenarians undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: A consecutive series of 274 patients age 80 years or greater out of 3,474 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. We have assessed the intrinsic risk aged 80 years or greater by comparing them with a propensity score-matched cohort of younger patients with similar operative risk (other than age).

Miniaturized versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass in high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: To review our results with the use of miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass (Mini-CPB) versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (C-CPB) in high-risk patients (additive EuroSCORE>or=6) who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Patients And Methods: This study includes a consecutive series of 236 patients with an additive EuroSCORE>or=6 who underwent CABG, employing either C-CPB or Mini-CPB. Propensity score analysis was performed.

Safe time limits of aortic cross-clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass in adult cardiac surgery.

Objectives: We evaluated the impact of aortic cross-clamping time (XCT) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPBT) on the immediate and late outcome after adult cardiac surgery and attempted to identify their safe time limits.

Methods: This study includes 3280 patients who underwent adult cardiac surgery of various complexities. Myocardial protection was achieved with tepid continuous antegrade/retrograde blood cardioplegia.

Pulmonary function and immediate outcome of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to evaluate whether pulmonary function, as assessed by spirometry, affects immediate outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: Data relating to the preoperative percentages of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were retrieved from a series of 453 patients who underwent AVR, with or without coronary artery bypass surgery.

Results: The percentage of predictive FVC (odds ratio (OR) 0.

Preoperative haemodynamic parameters and the immediate outcome after open repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative cardiac function and haemodynamic parameters on the immediate outcome after repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA).

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 68 consecutive patients who underwent emergency repair of RAAA. Baseline pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac index, oxygen saturation and pulse rate were measured and recorded immediately after insertion of a pulmonary artery thermodilution catheter and before anaesthesia induction.

Is it possible to improve the accuracy of EuroSCORE?

Objective: We derived a new risk-scoring method by modifying some of the risk factors included in the EuroSCORE algorithm.

Methods: This study includes 3613 patients who underwent cardiac surgery at the Vaasa Central Hospital, Finland. The EuroSCORE variables, along with modified age classes (< 60 years, 60-69.

Outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery with miniaturized versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass.

We have reviewed the results of our experience with the use of miniaturized (Mini-CPB) versus conventional (C-CPB) cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). This study included 365 patients who underwent CABG with C-CPB and 101 patients with Mini-CPB. In-hospital mortality was lower in the C-CPB group (1.

Repeat intervention after invasive treatment of coronary arteries.

Objective: Patients who undergo successful revascularisation either with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may subsequently require repeat invasive procedures.

Methods: A cohort of 662 coronary artery diseased (CAD) patients was retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up was 36 months.

HRQoL after coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention for stable angina.

Objectives: To assess the health related quality of life (HRQoL) and the change in the NYHA class after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the management of stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The study was non-randomized. CABG group consisted of 240 patients and 229 patients were treated with PCI.

Postoperative delirium and health related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: We wanted to identify determinants for postoperative delirium and its influence on health related quality of life (HRQoL) during 36-month follow-up of coronary artery bypass (CABG) patients.

Design: A total of 302 patients were retrospectively analyzed. HRQoL was assessed prospectively by the 15D instrument.

EuroSCORE predicts health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Three hundred and two patients were evaluated for the EuroSCORE risk and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during three years after CABG as assessed by the 15D instrument. Both additive and logistic EuroSCORE correlated significantly with the 15D score at 6, 18 and 36 months. A clinically important increase > or =0.

Quality of life during 18 months after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the change in health related quality of life (HRQoL) among elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients.

Methods: A total of 302 CABG patients were included in the study. Complete pre-, peri- and postoperative data were collected comprehensively in a database.

Perioperative stroke in coronary artery bypass patients.

Background And Aims: Stroke has remained one of the most frustrating complications in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence and correlates of stroke in CABG patients operated on in a hospital with low annual volume of open-heart surgery procedures. The aim was moreover to clarify subsequent outcome and self-reported satisfaction-based quality of life of patients who had experienced a stroke.

Peripheral vascular disease as predictor of outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background And Aims: Understanding and objective assessment of risks is crucial in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) on morbidity, mortality and outcome in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients.

Material And Methods: The ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) was used as indicator of PVD and was measured in 178 CABG patients.

Prospective trial of infrapopliteal artery balloon angioplasty for critical limb ischemia: angiographic and clinical results.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of infrapopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) as a primary treatment of chronic critical limb ischemia in a prospective trial.

Materials And Methods: Infrapopliteal PTA was performed on 72 limbs of 60 patients (mean age, 72 y; range, 38-92 y) and patients were followed for 12-24 months.

Results: The primary angiographic success rate for the stenoses was 84% (102 of 121) and that for the occlusions was 61% (41 of 67) with corresponding restenosis rates of 32% and 52% at follow-up angiography performed a mean of 10 months after primary PTA.

Conduction defects after coronary artery bypass grafting--a disappearing problem?

Background And Aims: To evaluate the incidence of conduction defects (CDs) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in three different patient populations, to assess the etiologic factors associated with CDs, and to find out their effect on immediate postoperative outcome of the patient.

Material And Methods: Three patient populations were prospectively studied: cohort A consisted of 180 CABG-patients operated between 1990-91, cohort B of 100 patients operated during the year 1993 and cohort C of 118 patients operated from April 1997 to June 1997. Cold crystalloid cardioplegia was used throughout the study years.

Axillofemoral bypass operations in Kuopio University Hospital 1985-1996.

Background And Aims: Axillofemoral bypass has been used since the 1960's in poor-risk patients with aortoiliac atherosclerotic occlusive disease to improve arterial circulation in the lower extremities. This article describes the outcome of 84 consecutive operations in our hospital.

Material And Methods: During the period 1.

Do vascular registers affect decision-making? Finnvasc Study Group.

Treatment activity of vascular diseases varies depending on population, preference of doctors and the availability of vascular surgical services. Vascular registry offers an opportunity to review practice, to compare outcome with a standard, and to implement change to improve practice. Prospective data collection of all reconstructive vascular procedures has been performed in Finland for seven years.

Auditing a nationwide vascular registry--the 4-year Finnvasc experience. Finnvasc Study Group.

Objective: To assess the validity of a national vascular registry.

Materials And Methods: 17,465 vascular and endovascular procedures, immediate reoperations excluded, registered in the Finnvasc registry from 26 centres during the years 1991-1994.

Chief Outcome Measures: Comparison of the number of registered procedures with hospital records, comparison of initial registrations with a random sample of re-registration and comparison of the 1-year local data input of one major centre to the same data input of the central unit.