Electrocardiographic activity before onset of postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery patients.

Background: Electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics were analyzed in postoperative cardiac surgery patients in an attempt to predict development of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Nineteen ECG characteristics were analyzed using computer-based algorithms. The parameters were retrospectively analyzed from ECG signals recorded in postoperative cardiac surgery patients while they were in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) at our institution.

Socioeconomic status and comorbidity as predictors of preoperative quality of life in cardiac surgery.

Objective: Preoperative quality of life of patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures has been associated with postoperative morbidity, survival, and quality of life. Patients of lower socioeconomic status have disproportionately greater cardiovascular disease burden and more complications of cardiovascular disease. We examined the interactive effects of demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity on preoperative functional quality of life measured by the well-validated cardiovascular disease-specific Duke Activity Status Index.

Preoperative statin intake and morbid events after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Study Objective: To examine the effect of statins on morbidity and mortality in patients after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary-care teaching hospital.

Effect of functional health-related quality of life on long-term survival after cardiac surgery.

Background: Health-related quality-of-life instruments have become important measures of early health outcomes after cardiac surgery. The relationship between quality of life after recovery from surgery and subsequent long-term survival has not previously been explored. Our objective was to determine whether the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) was predictive of subsequent time-related survival after recovery from cardiac surgery.

Increased risk associated with combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a propensity-matched comparison with isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objective: Risk associated with combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CEA/CABG) is controversial. The present study objective was to compare morbidity and mortality outcomes in well-matched patients who underwent combined CEA/CABG surgery with patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery with and without a history of a prior CEA.

Design: This investigation was designed as a retrospective case-controlled study using data from the Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Patient Registry in a single tertiary institution.

The impact of gender on in-hospital mortality and morbidity after isolated aortic valve replacement.

The objective of our retrospective investigation was to examine the influence of gender on in-hospital mortality and morbidity after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). Between January 1993 and June 2002, 2212 patients (782 females, 1430 males) underwent AVR. Propensity matching was used to adjust for numerous differences in baseline characteristics and perioperative variables between groups.

Transfusion in coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with reduced long-term survival.

Background: Perioperative red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion has been associated with early risk for morbid outcomes, but risk related to long-term survival has not been thoroughly explored. Therefore, we examined the influence of PRBC transfusion and component therapy on long-term survival after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting after controlling for the effect of demographics, comorbidities, operative factors, and the early hazard for death.

Methods: The US Social Security Death Index was used to ascertain survival status for 10,289 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting from January 1, 1995 through June 28, 2002.

Morbidity and mortality risk associated with red blood cell and blood-component transfusion in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: Our objective was to quantify incremental risk associated with transfusion of packed red blood cells and other blood components on morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Design: The study design was an observational cohort study.

Setting: This investigation took place at a large tertiary care referral center.

"Renal dose" dopamine is associated with the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

Objective: "Renal dose" dopamine (rDA; 1-3 microg/kg per min) is administered to patients after cardiac surgery to preserve or improve renal function. Many of these patients develop new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (pAF) that could be related to rDA administration. The objective of this investigation was to determine whether there was an association between rDA and new-onset pAF in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (CABG).