Predicting operative mortality in octogenarians for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: a retrospective study.

Background: Available cardiac surgery risk scores have not been validated in octogenarians. Our objective was to compare the predictive ability of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score, EuroSCORE I, and EuroSCORE II in elderly patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG).

Methods: All patients who underwent isolated CABG (2002 - 2008) were identified from the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) registry.

Dual antiplatelet therapy use by Canadian cardiac surgeons.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone treatment for patients with acute coronary syndrome. Recent Canadian Guidelines recommend the use of dual antiplatelet therapy for 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with acute coronary syndrome, but considerable variability remains.

Methods: We performed a survey of 75 Canadian cardiac surgeons to assess the use of dual antiplatelet therapy.