Value of saphenous vein graft markers during subsequent diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

Background: Although saphenous vein graft (SVG) markers have been available for many years, they have not been widely used in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This is likely due to the paucity of data regarding the utility of these markers in postsurgery cardiac catheterization.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of all post-CABG patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at Barnes-Jewish Hospital over a 6-month period to test our hypothesis that SVG markers would have a beneficial effect on these procedures.

Multiple arterial grafts and survival.

Limitations in the long-term patency of saphenous veins for bypass grafts have encouraged interest in the use of arterial conduits. The positive effect of an internal thoracic artery graft on survival has been accepted for more than a decade, but it has proven difficult to show additional benefit from additional arterial conduits; this is probably due to multiple factors, including inappropriate choice of target vessels, short follow-up, and inadequate numbers of patients. Recently, however, the positive effect of a second arterial graft was confirmed.

A randomized clinical trial of continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions in cardiac surgery patients.

Study Objectives: To determine whether the application of continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions (CASS) is associated with a decreased incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Design: Prospective clinical trial.

Setting: Cardiothoracic ICU (CTICU) of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St.

Reappraisal of coronary endarterectomy for the treatment of diffuse coronary artery disease.

Background: The development of new technologies such as transmyocardial laser revascularization and, more recently, local delivery of angiogenic growth factors has refocused attention on the surgical management of diffuse coronary artery disease. In some cases, coronary endarterectomy is also technically feasible. To facilitate decision-making among these options, we reviewed our experience with coronary endarterectomy to determine the results to be expected with this more traditional approach.

Total arterial revascularization with an internal thoracic artery and radial artery T graft.

Background: Proximal anastomosis of the radial artery to the side of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) permits complete arterial revascularization in most patients, with the aim of improving long-term results of coronary artery bypass through greater long-term graft patency. The short-term results, however, have yet to be defined. We therefore reviewed our early experience with this grafting strategy.

Results of a comprehensive infection control program for reducing surgical-site infections in coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive infection control program on the reduction of surgical-site infections (SSIs) following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: 1,000-bed tertiary-care hospital.

Echocardiographic characterization of left ventricular diastolic properties in patients presenting for the maze procedure.

The aim of this study is to characterize and compare the left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling patterns in patients with paroxysmal (PAF) versus chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) undergoing the maze procedure and to examine their relation with the hemodynamic status. Fifty patients with PAF and 22 with CAF were studied. Hemodynamic measurements and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were performed after the induction of anesthesia but before surgical incision, at stable conditions.

Neurological complications of cardiac surgery: the need for new paradigms in prevention and treatment.

Neurological injury is a devastating complication of cardiac surgery that results in a longer duration of hospitalization, increased costs, and increased likelihood of death. Such injury can affect any level of the central nervous system, and its manifestations are broad, ranging from neurocognitive dysfunction to frank stroke. Many variables have been found to be indicative or risk for perioperative neurological injury, but the predictive models are more useful for stroke risk than for neurocognitive dysfunction.

Clinical experience with the holmium:YAG laser for transmyocardial laser revascularization and myocardial denervation as a mechanism.

Transmyocardial laser revascularization is emerging as a treatment option for patients with debilitating angina pectoris and no conventional treatment option. Results with the high powered CO2 laser have been reproducibly encouraging. As the mechanism of action remains uncertain, the importance of the type of laser used is unknown.

Nontransmural laser treatment incompletely denervates canine myocardium.

Background: Clinical experience with transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) has reproducibly demonstrated an improvement in angina class. Denervation has been implicated as a mechanism whereby this clinical effect may be achieved. Because endovascular techniques for TMLR are currently under development, we investigated the impact of nontransmural endoventricular laser treatment on cardiac nerves in a canine model.

Intraabdominal hemorrhage during combined coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy.

Intraabdominal complications during cardiopulmonary bypass are extremely rare, with an incidence of less than 1% in multiple retrospective studies. These complications are associated with a high mortality, and their rapid diagnosis is critical to the outcome of the patient. We present a case of spontaneous intraabdominal hemorrhage after combined carotid endarterectomy and four-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting, which was diagnosed through a diaphragmatic window.

Transmyocardial laser treatment denervates canine myocardium.

Background: In patients with refractory angina who are not candidates for conventional revascularization, transmyocardial laser treatment reduces angina significantly in the early postoperative period. We hypothesized that transmyocardial laser treatment damages cardiac nerve fibers that convey the pain of angina pectoris.

Methods: Left thoracotomy was performed in sixteen adult mongrel dogs.

The maze procedure for cure of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common dysrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. A significant number of patients fail medical therapy because of inability to convert or control the rhythm pharmacologically, intolerance of the requisite medication, or persistent symptoms despite apparently satisfactory rate control. Based on experimental studies establishing the electrophysiologic basis of atrial fibrillation, a surgical procedure has been developed that is highly effective in restoring sinus rhythm without further requirement for medications.

Pulmonary embolectomy after single-lung transplantation.

Single-lung transplantation for pulmonary hypertension results in a significant ventilation/perfusion mismatch with dramatic shift of blood flow, but not ventilation, to the replacement organ. This raises concern that the patient may be precariously dependent on the function of the transplanted lung. We report the successful management of a massive central pulmonary embolus to the transplanted lung in a 43-year-old woman 4 years after single-lung transplantation for primary pulmonary hypertension.

Transmyocardial laser revascularization for inoperable coronary artery disease.

Interest in transmyocardial laser revascularization for the treatment of otherwise inoperable coronary artery disease has increased rather dramatically in recent years. The results of several industrially sponsored clinical series have been reported recently, all with significant improvement in angina pectoris that appears both rapid and sustained. In most instances, an associated improvement in exercise tolerance has been reported.

Previous coronary artery bypass grafting is not a risk factor for aortic valve replacement.

Background: The risk of aortic valve replacement (AVR) after previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is controversial. Its magnitude influences the threshold for recommending this procedure and has been cited in arguments regarding the optimal management of mild aortic stenosis at primary CABG. We therefore reviewed our experience with reoperative AVR +/- CABG and the primary combined procedure.

Coronary artery bypass grafting after a bilateral lung volume reduction operation.

A 67-year-old man underwent coronary artery bypass grafting 31/2 months after a bilateral lung volume reduction operation for end-stage pulmonary emphysema. The principles of anesthetic management we have developed for use during volume reduction operations were applied with success in this individual and are described in detail. With the increasing application of this intervention as an alternative to lung transplantation, we anticipate further experience in the operative management of associated conditions after lung volume reduction operations.

The surgical management of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common dysrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. For some patients, satisfactory rate control is not possible by pharmacologic means. This led us to develop a surgical approach to its cure, which in turn has led to a deeper understanding of the electrophysiologic basis of atrial fibrillation and to the development of a surgical procedure that is highly effective in restoring sinus rhythm with an acceptable mortality and morbidity.

Alternative technique for assessment and repair of the mitral valve.

Valve repair is preferred over replacement in the management of mitral regurgitation when technically possible. Central to the achievement of a durable result is precise assessment of the anatomic abnormality present before repair, as well as accurate intraoperative evaluation of the adequacy of repair accomplished. Cardioplegic techniques commonly employed permit inspection of the valve in a flaccid, arrested state, which may not accurately reflect its function in the contractile heart.

Reoperative aortic valve operation after homograft root replacement: surgical options and results.

The surgical options available and the associated operative risks for repeat aortic valve replacement after free-standing homograft root replacement with reimplantation of the coronary arteries are as yet undefined. We therefore reviewed our experience with repeat aortic valve replacement between January 1976 and July 1994 and identified 22 such procedures performed on 21 patients after homograft or autograft root replacement. Reoperation was indicated for structural deterioration in 16 and for bacterial endocarditis in 6 patients.