Improved leg wound healing with endoscopic saphenous vein harvest in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a prospective randomized study in Asian population.

Objective: Conventional open saphenous vein harvest (OVH) for coronary artery bypass graft surgery is often associated with significant pain and morbidity. This study aims to determine whether endoscopic saphenous vein harvest (EVH) reduces leg wound morbidity and improves patient satisfaction as compared to OVH in Asian population.

Methods: Between March 2005 and June 2006, 120 patients who underwent isolated CABG were prospectively randomized into EVH (n = 60) and OVH (n = 60) groups.

Biatrial pacing to prevent atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass.

Between October 1999 and December 2000, 52 patients (37 male) undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were selected for overdrive biatrial pacing to determine its effectiveness in reducing atrial fibrillation. A pacing wire was attached to the right atrial appendage and another to the roof of the left atrium behind the aorta. The atria were paced continuously in AAI mode at a rate of 90 pulses per minute or 10 pulses above the underlying rate (maximum rate < 140/min) for 3 days.