Five-year patency for the no-touch saphenous vein and the left internal thoracic artery in on- and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Randomized trials show high long-term patency for no-touch saphenous vein grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting. The patency rate in off-pump coronary bypass surgery for these grafts has not been investigated. Our center participated in the CORONARY randomized trial, NCT00463294.

The no-touch saphenous vein graft in elderly coronary bypass patients with multiple comorbidities is a promising conduit to substitute the left internal thoracic artery.

Objectives: We investigated the patency rates of no-touch saphenous vein grafts anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery compared with the left internal thoracic artery. Further, we compared the patency of no-touch vein grafts to the left anterior descending artery with the patency of no-touch vein grafts to other coronary arteries.

Methods: Of 2635 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting between 2003 and 2008, 168 (6.

Graft patency is associated with higher health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate whether graft patency was associated with higher health-related quality of life in coronary artery bypass grafting patients and to compare this study with the general Swedish population.

Methods: Patients were included from 3 randomized trials and 1 prospective cohort trial. The generic health-related quality of life instrument, EQ-5D (VAS and index) was used.

Dacron Graft Intussusception Technique for Treatment of Type A Aortic Dissections: Technical Notes and Preliminary Results.

Introduction: Optimal surgical management for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) remains unclear. The in-hospital mortality rate is still high (15%), and the intraoperative bleeding is an independent risk factor for hospital mortality.

Objective: The aim of our study was describe a new method for aortic anastomosis in the repair of AAAD and report the hospital mortality and bleeding complications.

Milrinone improves diastolic function in coronary artery bypass surgery as assessed by acoustic quantification and peak filling rate: a prospective randomized study.

Objective: To compare the effects of a bolus dose of milrinone, 50 microg/kg, to placebo on diastolic function (active relaxation) in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Setting: University hospital.

The no-touch technique of harvesting the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

A new 'no-touch' (NT) technique of saphenous vein (SV) preparation for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery was developed where the vein is harvested with a pedicle of surrounding tissue, which protects the vein from spasm therefore obviating the need for distension. The adventitial layer and the structures contained within the cushion of surrounding tissue possess both mechanical and functional properties that protect the vein from spasm and ischemia. In addition, the surrounding tissue supports excessively long vein grafts and prevents kinking.

Milrinone increases flow in coronary artery bypass grafts after cardiopulmonary bypass: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: To compare the effects of a bolus of milrinone, 50 microg/kg, versus placebo on flow in coronary artery bypass grafts after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Setting: A university hospital.

Harvesting the saphenous vein with surrounding tissue for CABG provides long-term graft patency comparable to the left internal thoracic artery: results of a randomized longitudinal trial.

Objective: Conventional harvesting of the saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass surgery produces vessel damage that contributes to graft failure. A novel "no touch" technique provides high short- and long-term patency rates.

Method: This randomized longitudinal trial compares graft patency of two patient groups undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.