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Background: The potential survival benefit of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCABG) is controversial owing to the technical complexity of these operations. Our objective was to compare the outcome of patients undergoing OPCABG with BITA to the outcome of patients undergoing OPCABG with a single internal thoracic artery (SITA) and saphenous vein grafts or radial artery., Methods: Five hundred and thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent OPCABG BITA at our institute between 2000 and 2008 were compared with 422 patients who underwent OPCABG with SITA. Propensity score matching was used to account for differences between groups in preoperative characteristics., Results: Being female (20.9% versus 36.0%, p < 0.001), having diabetes mellitus (36.6% versus 55.7%, p > 0.001), recent myocardial infarction (23.6% versus 33.2%, p > 0.001), aged 70 years or more (41.1% versus 49.8%, p = 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (26.1% versus 46.7%, p > 0.001), and chronic renal failure (7.9% versus 15.9%, p > 0.001) were less frequent in the BITA group than in the SITA group, respectively. The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score was significantly higher for the SITA group (7.62, versus 5.46 for BITA group, p = 0.001), whereas operative mortality (1.7% BITA versus 2.6% SITA) and sternal wound infections (1.7% BITA versus 2.1% SITA) were similar. The mean follow-up was 11.6 ± 3.5 years. The BITA patients' 10-year survival (Kaplan-Meier) was better (72.2% versus 55.1% for SITA, p > 0.001). However, after propensity matching, survival for BITA and SITA were similar., Conclusions: This large cohort study suggests that long-term outcomes for patients undergoing OPCABG are not better with BITA grafting., (Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in patients with diabetes mellitus is controversial because of a higher risk for sternal infection. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of BITA grafting to that of single ITA (SITA) grafting in patients with diabetes., Methods: Between 1996 and 2010, 964 diabetic patients with multivessel disease who underwent primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery with BITA were compared with 564 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery with SITA and saphenous vein grafts., Results: The SITA patients were older, more often female, more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ejection fraction 30% or less, insulin-dependent diabetes, recent myocardial infarction, renal insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease, and emergency operation. The BITA patients more often underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery with three or more grafts. The two groups had similar operative mortality, 2.6% BITA versus 3.0% SITA, and sternal infection, 3.1% versus 3.9%, respectively. The mean follow-up was 12.2 ± 4.3 years. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier 10-year survival of the BITA group was better than that of the SITA group (65.3% ± 3.1% versus 55.5% ± 4.5%, respectively; p = 0.004), After propensity score matching (490 well-matched pairs), Kaplan-Meier 10-year survival was not significantly different between the matched groups; however, the Cox-adjusted survival of the BITA patients was better (hazard ratio 0.729, 95% confidence interval: 0.551 to 0.964, p = 0.027)., Conclusions: The findings of this large cohort study suggest that the long-term outcome of patients with diabetes and multivessel disease who undergo BITA grafting is better than that of diabetic patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery with SITA and saphenous vein grafts., (Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess individual mechanisms of effort intolerance in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), or normal cardiac function using combined echocardiography and cardiopulmonary stress testing., Background: Combined stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary tests visualize cardiac chambers in 4 well-defined activity levels (rest, unloaded, anaerobic threshold, and peak), allowing noninvasive assessment of cardiac function, hemodynamics, and arterial venous oxygen content difference (AVo(2)Diff) during all stages., Methods: Left ventricular volumes, stroke volume (SV), S', E/e', oxygen consumption (Vo(2)), and AVo(2)Diff were measured in all effort stages using ramp semirecumbent cycle prolonged (≥8 min) exercise in 45 consecutive subjects evaluated for effort intolerance (14 normal cardiac function, 16 HFpEF, and 15 HFrEF patients; age 56.5 ± 16 years; 73% male)., Results: In HFpEF and HFrEF, the changes in Vo2 were attenuated (between group p = 0.003; group by time interaction p < 0.0001), as well as peak heart rate (p = 0.0001; p = 0.0001) and SV (p = 0.006; p = 0.0001). End-diastolic volume to E/e' ratio (measure of compliance) was superior in HFrEF and normal patients at baseline but worsened in HFpEF and HFrEF at peak exercise (8.3 ± 4 vs. 11.6 ± 5 vs. 19.1 ± 8; p = 0.004; p = 0.01). Functional mitral regurgitation worsened even during the unloaded stage, mostly in patients with HFrEF, but also in several patients with HFpEF. In multivariable analysis, heart rate response (p = 0.007), and AVo(2)Diff (p < 0.0001) were the most significant independent predictors of effort capacity; SV was not., Conclusions: Combined tests are feasible and allow noninvasive evaluation of effort intolerance. In HFpEF and HFrEF patients, exercise intolerance is predominantly due to chronotropic incompetence and peripheral factors. Combined stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary tests may have potential for clinical management and selection of patients for trials., (Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Thoracotomy is associated with severe pain. We hypothesized that the concomitant use of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine plus a two-third-standard morphine dose might provide more effective analgesia with fewer side effects than a standard morphine dose for early pain control., Methods: We conducted a 6-month randomized, double-blind study in patients undergoing thoracotomy for minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass or for lung tumor resection. After extubation, when objectively awake (>or= 5/10 visual analogue scale [VAS]) and complaining of pain (>or= 5/10 VAS), patients were connected to patient-controlled IV analgesia delivering 1.5 mg of morphine plus saline solution (MO) or 1.0 mg of morphine plus a 5-mg ketamine bolus (MK), with a 7-min lockout time. Rescue IM diclofenac, 75 mg, was available. Follow-up lasted 4 h., Results: Forty-one patients completed the study. MO patients (n = 20) used 6.8 +/- 1.9 mg/h (mean +/- SD) and 5.5 +/- 3.6 mg/h of morphine during the first and second hours, respectively; MK patients (n = 21) used 3.7 +/- 1.2 mg/h and 2.8 +/- 2.3 mg/h, respectively (p < 0.01). The 4-h activation rate of the device was double in the MO patients than in the MK patients (66 +/- 54 vs 28 +/- 20, p < 0.001). The maximal self-rated pain score was 5.6 +/- 1.0 for the MO group vs 3.7 +/- 0.7 for the MK group (p < 0.01). Four MO patients vs one MK patient required diclofenac; 6 MO patients but no MK patients had oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry < 94% on a fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.4 (p < 0.01); two MO patients required reintubation. Paco(2) was higher in the MO group (40 +/- 6 mm Hg vs 33 +/- 5 mm Hg, p < 0.05). Heart rate, BP, and incidence of nausea/vomiting were similar; no ketamine-related hallucinations were detected., Conclusions: Subanesthetic ketamine combined with a 35%-lower morphine dose provided equivalent pain control compared to the standard morphine dose alone, with fewer adverse side effects and a 45% reduction in morphine consumption., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00625911.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) that also possesses negative inotropic and direct cardiotoxic effects. We investigated whether myocardial ischemia and/or reperfusion is the trigger for TNF-alpha synthesis and whether TNF-alpha release is time dependent., Methods: Isolated rat hearts undergoing 30 min of coronary perfusion with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution followed by cardioplegic arrest for 60 min of global cardioplegic normothermic ischemia (GCI) and 30 min of reperfusion using a modified Langendorff model. Myocardial TNF-mRNA expression and TNF-alpha protein levels in effluent from the coronary sinus were measured at baseline and then after 15, 30, and 60 min of GCI and after 10 and 30 min of reperfusion., Results: GCI induced myocardial TNF-alpha mRNA expression and elevation protein TNF-alpha levels in a time-dependent manner after 30 min of ischemia from 78+/-17 pg/ml to 915+/-287 pg/ml after 60 min (p<0.0015). Reperfusion did not cause time-dependent increase of TNF-alpha synthesis and release but was accompanied by progressive decrease of left ventricular (LV) function. There was a correlation between TNF-alpha protein levels and depression of LV function immediately after GCI but not with TNF-alpha protein levels at 30 min of reperfusion., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that myocardial ischemia rather than reperfusion is the main trigger for time-dependent TNF-alpha synthesis. Depression of LV function during reperfusion correlated significantly only with TNF-alpha levels at the end of GCI.

Background: Thoracotomy is associated with severe pain. Large doses of morphine can depress respiratory drive and compromise hemodynamic stability. Ketamine reduces hyperalgesia, prevents opioid tolerance and resistance and lowers morphine consumption. At sub-anesthetic (< or = 500 microg/kg) doses, ketamine rarely produces undesirable hemodynamic alterations. We hypothesized that by combining a sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine with morphine, we could effectively control pain with less morphine and minimize drowsiness, while maintaining safe hemodynamic and respiratory parameters., Methods: Sequential patients undergoing anterolateral thoracotomy for MIDCAB, lung tumor resection, or median sternotomy for OPCAB were randomized to one of the two intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) protocols. MO-only patients received 1.5 mg MO bolus, and MK patients received 1.0 mg MO+5 mg ketamine/bolus, both with a 7 min lockout time. IV-PCA was initiated when the patient was sufficiently awake (> or = 5/10 VAS) and rated pain > or = 5/10 on a 0-10 VAS. Rescue intramuscular diclofenac 75 mg was available. Follow-up of respiratory, hemodynamic and pain statuses lasted 72 h., Results: Fifty-eight patients completed the 6-month study. Heart rate and blood pressures were identically stable in both groups. Respiratory rate and pulse oximetry were higher (P < 0.05) in the MK than in the MO group. MO patients (n = 28) used twice (2.0 +/-2.3 mg/patient/h) the amount of morphine compared to MK patients (n = 30, 1.0 +/- 1.4 mg/patient/h, P < 0.05). Thirty-six hours after starting PCA, 10 MO patients still required IV-PCA compared to 5 MK patients (P < 0.05). Diclofenac was used 70% more in MO than in MK patients. MO patients suffered more postoperative nausea and vomiting. No patients had hallucinations., Conclusions: The concomitant use of sub-anesthetic ketamine plus two-thirds the standard MO dose following thoracotomy, MIDCAB or OPCAB resulted in lower pain scores, reduced MO consumption and shorter postoperative IV-PCA dependence. These advantages were associated with cardiovascular stability and even better respiratory parameters.

Background: Increased cardiac troponin is observed after virtually every cardiac operation, indicating perioperative myocardial injury. The clinical significance of this elevation is controversial. This study aimed to correlate postoperative troponin levels with major adverse cardiac events (MACE)., Methods: The study included 1918 consecutive patients undergoing adult cardiac operations, including 1515 isolated coronary procedures, 229 valvular operations, and 174 combined coronary/valve procedures. Peak troponin T (normal value < 0.1 microg/L) was measured at less than 24 hours postoperatively. Excluded were 506 patients with a recent myocardial infarction (< 30-days of operation). The primary outcome was a composite of death, electrocardiogram-defined infarction, and low output syndrome (MACE)., Results: Mortality rates were 1.4%, 6.1%, and 7% in the coronary bypass, valve, and combined groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The rates of MACE were 17%, 35%, and 44% (p < 0.0001), and mean troponin T levels were 0.9 +/- 1.5, 1.2 +/- 2.9, and 1.3 +/- 1.2 microg/L (p < 0.001), in the coronary bypass, valve, and combined groups, respectively. All patients were divided into quintiles based on their peak postoperative troponin level (Q1, 0.0 to 0.39; Q2, 0.4 to 0.59; Q3, 0.6 to 0.79; Q4, 0.8 to 1.29; and Q5, > 1.3 microg/L). Adverse outcomes were similar and stable in the lower quintiles. A stepwise increase in adverse outcomes was observed in the higher quintiles. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a troponin cutoff of 0.8 microg/L was the most discriminatory for MACE (area under the curve, 0.7). Multivariable analyses showed a troponin value of more than 0.8 microg/L was independently associated with MACE., Conclusions: Moderate elevations in troponin are common after cardiac operations; troponin is a well-described predictor of outcomes. Troponin levels exceeding 0.8 microg/L are associated with increased MACE in patients without a history of preoperative myocardial infarction within 30 days of operation.

Objectives: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) and complete arterial revascularization without proximal anastomosis to the aorta may decrease neurological events after open-heart surgery. Few reports exist regarding the combination of OPCAB and complete arterial revascularization exploring the theoretical advantage of avoiding manipulation of the aorta. We review our results in 110 patients who underwent multiple grafts off-pump complete arterial revascularization., Methods: 110 patients underwent multiple grafts OPCAB complete arterial revascularization, and were compared to 216 patients who underwent traditional multiple grafts on pump CABG. Preoperative renal failure was 12.7% (n=14) as compared to 5.1%, (n=11, p=0.01) in the control group and 33.6% (n=37) of the patients were 75 years or older as compared to 19.0% (n=41, p=0.003) in the control group., Results: The mean number of grafts per patient undergoing multiple OPCAB complete arterial revascularization was 2.3, as compared to 3.11 in the control group (p<0.001). The mortality rate was 2.73% as compared to 1.85% (NS) in the control group. The incidence of CVA was 0% as compared to 2.31% (p=0.17) in the control group., Conclusions: Complete arterial OPCAB revascularization without manipulation of the aorta in high-risk patients can be performed with short-term similar results to conventional CABG and very low neurological complications.

Background: Reduction of restenosis and reinterventions was recently reported with percutaneous interventions (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (Cypher). This study compares results of Cypher (Cordis, Miami Lakes, FL) stenting and surgical revascularization in diabetic patients., Methods: From January 2002 to January 2005, 518 consecutive diabetic patients underwent myocardial revascularization; 176 by PCI incorporating Cyphers and 342 treated surgically. Single-vessel patients in the surgical group were treated with the left internal thoracic artery (ITA) and most multivessel patients were treated with two ITAs. After matching for age, sex, right system revascularization, and extent of coronary disease, two groups (86 patients each) were used to compare the two revascularization modalities., Results: Both groups were similar; however, left main, poor ejection fraction, total occlusion, and bifurcation lesions were more prevalent in the surgical group, and in-stent restenosis in the PCI group. The mean number of coronary vessels treated was higher in the surgical group (2.05 vs 1.6, p < 0.001). Mean follow-up was 18 months. Overall mortality (early and late) was 2.3% and 3.5% in the Cypher and surgical groups, respectively (p = 0.65). Angina returned in 39.5% of the Cypher group and 15.1% of the surgical group, p < 0.001. There were 25 reinterventions in the Cypher group compared with five in the surgical group (p = 0.010). The Cox proportional hazard model revealed assignment to the Cypher group to be the only independent predictor of reangina (odds ratio [OR] 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63 to 6.53) and reintervention (OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.92 to 20.83)., Conclusions: Despite improved results of PCI with Cyphers, midterm clinical outcome of diabetic patients treated surgically is better.

Background: Bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting with a composite T-graft enables right coronary artery (RCA) system revascularization with the distal end of the free right internal thoracic artery (RITA). This study compares this grafting technique to left-sided BITA grafting and RCA revascularization with the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) and saphenous vein grafts (SVG)., Methods: From April 1996 to July 1999, 1000 consecutive patients underwent left-sided revascularization with BITA. In 231 patients RCA grafting was performed with free RITA, in 246 with RGEA, in 142 with SVG, and 381 did not receive any graft to the RCA (no-graft group)., Results: Female gender, old age (> 70), emergency, and congestive heart failure were less prevalent in the RGEA group, and prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was more prevalent in the no-graft group. Thirty-day mortality (3.6%, 4.9%, 2%, and 3.4% in the RITA, SVG, RGEA, and no-graft groups, respectively) and occurrence of perioperative complications (sternal infection, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and bleeding) were similar. Overall, however, the trend was toward a higher complication rate in the RITA group (10.3%, 4.9%, 5.6%, and 7.3% respectively, p = 0.06). Midterm follow-up (40 to 78 months) showed similar 6-year survival (Kaplan-Meier) (88%, 87%, 89.5%, and 85.5%, respectively) and similar return of angina (10.8%, 6.3%, 10.6%, and 9.5%, respectively) in the four groups., Conclusions: Early and midterm results in patients undergoing left-sided BITA grafting are not affected by the conduit used for RCA grafting.

Background: Repeat open heart surgery is associated with an increased risk of injury to old conduits and cardiac structures. To reduce this risk, we evaluated the contribution of multidetector computed tomography angiography in planning repeat cardiac operations., Methods: Fifteen patients who had previous coronary artery bypass grafting procedures underwent retrospective-gated computed tomographic angiography with a 16-slice multidetector computed tomography. Relation of the grafts to the expected median sternotomy line, graft patency and anatomic course, possible aortic cannulation and cross-clamp sites, distances between the right ventricle to the sternum, and calcification of the ascending aorta were assessed., Results: Multidetector computed tomography demonstrated 45 conduits (mean, 3 +/- 1.1); 18 arterial grafts and 13 saphenous vein grafts that were patent, and 2 internal mammary artery grafts and 12 saphenous vein grafts that were occluded. Significant narrowing was shown in 3 of the patent internal mammary arteries and 4 of the patent saphenous vein grafts. Adherence of the right ventricle, left internal mammary artery, and saphenous vein graft to the sternum (0 to 3 mm in the midline) was demonstrated in 8, 2, and 1 patients, respectively. Two patients had a heavily calcified aorta. During surgery, all multidetector computed tomographic findings were confirmed. Three aspects of the operative plans of 4 patients were modified according to multidetector computed tomographic findings: median sternotomy approach (3 patients), cannulation site (2 patients), and myocardial preservation technique (3 patients). On the basis of multidetector computed tomographic evaluations, surgery was cancelled in 2 patients in whom repeat operation was judged to be associated with increased risk: 1 patient, scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting, had an extremely calcified aorta, and the other, scheduled for aortic valve replacement, had grafts that were adherent to the sternum., Conclusions: Multidetector computed tomography is a new noninvasive tool for three-dimensional preoperative assessment of complex cardiac and graft anatomy. Our initial experience suggests that it may provide information to warrant modifying surgical planning, thus contributing to the safety of reoperative heart surgery.

Objective: A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a devastating complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and a major cause for morbidity and mortality. Aortic manipulation, cannulation, and clamping during CABG may lead to release of atheromatous material from the ascending aorta, which may cause a CVA. This study assessed the hypothesis that the use of intraoperative epiaortic ultrasonography (EAUS) would supplement imaging information with that derived from manual aortic palpation and influence the surgical decision-making approach accordingly., Methods: After undergoing a mid-sternotomy for CABG, 105 patients underwent EAUS with an 8-MHz transducer ordinarily used for conventional transthoracic echocardiography. The surgical strategy was decided on at three stages: preoperatively, after manual aortic palpation, and following EAUS., Results: The preoperative strategy had assigned 105 patients to the "touched aorta" group that was planned for either on-pump or off-pump CABG (OPCAB) with proximal anastomosis to the aorta. Pathologic lesions of the atheromatotic ascending aorta were evident in 40 patients (38%), with the lesions detected in 22 patients (21%) by both palpation and EAUS, and in 18 patients (17%) by EAUS alone. The planned surgical strategy was changed in 29 patients (28%): 25 patients (24%) were converted from on-pump CABG to OPCAB, and the EAUS influenced the choice of the aortic cannulation, cross-clamping, and proximal anastomosis site in 4 patients (4%). Among the changes in surgical decision making, changes in 11 patients (10%) were based on lesion detection by both manual palpation and EAUS; in 18 patients (17%), changes resulted from pathologic evidence provided by EAUS alone., Conclusions: This study showed EAUS to be more sensitive in detecting atherosclerotic lesions than manual intraoperative palpation of the ascending aorta. This investigation contributes new data on the effect of EAUS on intraoperative surgical approach in the era of OPCAB. The use of EAUS has emerged as an important tool in intraoperative decision making, and we recommend its use routinely in CABG procedures.

Background: Recent interest has focused on the use of arterial conduits in diabetic subsets. To date, the long-term benefits of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in this subgroup remain in question., Methods: Two hundred eighty-five consecutive oral-treated diabetics operated on nonemergent basis (1996 to 1998) were compared according to the surgical technique, left-sided skeletonized BITA (n = 228) or single internal thoracic artery- saphenous veins (SITA) (n = 57). Patients with chronic lung disease, usually preselected to SITA grafting, were not included., Results: The respective grafts to patient ratio was 3.1 +/- 1 and 3.2 +/- 0.8 for the SITA and BITA groups (p = NS). Complementary conduits used in the BITA group were gastroepiploic arteries (25%) and saphenous veins (13%). Early outcome was comparable, including the incidence of deep sternal infections (1.8% in both groups). During follow-up (range, 4 to 7.5 years; median, 5), there were less repeat revascularizations (4.4% vs 12.3%, p = 0.025) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (11.2% vs 36.8%, p < 0.0001) in the BITA group. At 7 years, survival (Kaplan-Meier) (75% vs 59%, p = 0.006, log-rank), freedom from cardiac mortality (92% vs 68%, p < 0.0001), and freedom from MACE (70% vs 59%, p = 0.004) were superior in the BITA group. Multivariate analysis identified the use of BITA as a protective factor against the occurrence of late cardiac mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.2) and MACE (OR 0.3); conversely, SITA-saphenous vein arrangements increased the risk by fivefold (OR 5, confidence interval limits [CL] 1.6 to 16.6, p = 0.005) and threefold (OR 3.3, CL 1.5 to 9, p = 0.005), respectively., Conclusions: Left-sided BITA grafting confers improved long-term survival and event-free survival in oral-treated diabetics. We, therefore, recommended this approach in this diabetic subset.

Background: Avoiding aortic manipulation during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) reduces the risk for atheroembolic complications and may, thus, benefit elderly patients who are prone to atherosclerotic aortic involvement., Methods: During a period of 18 months (2000-2002), 160 consecutive OPCAB patients older than 75 years were evaluated. One hundred and three patients undergoing clampless OPCAB were compared to 57 patients in whom side clamps were applied. Clampless revascularization was achieved by in situ or T-graft arterial configurations., Results: Mean age was older (79.3 years vs 78.2, p = 0.049) and the prevalence (43% vs 7%, p < 0.0001) and severity of aortic disease was higher in the clampless group. The main conduits used were bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery (47%) and radial arteries (42%). More grafts were performed in the side-clamp group (2.5 +/- 0.5 vs 2.3 +/- 0.6, p = 0.023), however, revascularization of the postero-lateral territory was comparable. While early mortality (2.9% vs 7%, p = >or=0.05), perioperative myocardial infarction (3% vs 5%, p = >or=0.05), and sternal infections (none) were similar, the incidence of major neurological complications (0% vs 5.3%, p = 0.044) and the combined outcome of stroke or mortality (3% vs 12%, p = 0.035) were lower in the clampless group. Multivariate analysis identified side clamping as a predictor for the occurrence of stroke or mortality (OR, 6.28, CL 1.39-28.4, p = 0.017), increasing this risk by sixfold., Conclusions: Clampless OPCAB is associated with reproducible neurological benefit. Improved neurological outcome may be conferred irrespective of the method of aortic screening in patients 75 years or older. The use of arterial conduits for this purpose is feasible despite the patients' advanced years.

Objective: Clinical data have suggested the occurrence of temporary short-term deterioration of the heart following cardiomyoplasty. The purpose of this study was to monitor the short-term hemodynamic effects of cardiomyoplasty in a goat model of a dilated left ventricle, using conductance catheters (ie, pressure-volume loops) and cardiac output measurements., Methods: Eight female goats underwent acute cardiomyoplasty 8 to 12 weeks after left ventricular (LV) dilatation was induced by a carotid jugular arteriovenous shunt. The cardiomyoplasty procedure was monitored using a Swan-Ganz catheter for cardiac output measurements and a 12-electrode (dual-field) conductance catheter to LV pressure-volume loops., Results: After wrapping the heart with the latissimus dorsi muscle, there was a significant reduction in both cardiac output and LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) at 10 min. Partial recovery was observed 45 min later., Conclusion: A decrease in both cardiac output and LVEDV was observed following myocardial wrapping. This may explain some of the perioperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality observed following cardiomyoplasty.

Background: Myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, and coagulopathies are associated with postoperative hypothermia. This study assessed the efficacy of a novel thermoregulation system in alleviating these events during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery., Methods: Elective CABG surgery patients were randomized into either Allon thermoregulation (AT, n = 40) or routine thermal care (RTC, n = 20) groups in whom the maintenance of normothermia during the nonbypass phases of the operation was compared. The AT used patients' rectal temperature as reference data to monitor the maintenance of the water temperature circulating at 37 degrees C in a garment. Rectal temperature, patient hemodynamics, and cardiac-specific troponin I (cTnI) levels were assessed at the induction of anesthesia, 30 minutes into surgery, at discontinuation of bypass, end of surgery, and 2 hours postoperatively., Results: Body temperature was higher in the AT group compared to the RTC group at all five time points. Cardiac index (CI) (L/min) was higher in the AT group, 2.5 +/- 0.5, 2.6 +/- 0.5*, 3.2 +/- 0.6*, 3.3 +/- 0.5*, 3.1 +/- 0.7 at the respective time points, compared to the RTC group, 2.3 +/- 0.6, 2.1 +/- 0.2, 2.6 +/- 0.7, 2.7 +/- 0.7, 2.7 +/- 0.7 (*p < 0.05). Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (dyne x s)/cm5) was consistently lower in the AT patients. Enzyme levels were elevated in both groups but were less so in the AT patients., Conclusions: The AT system can efficiently maintain normothermia. The beneficial effects are expressed by reduced SVR, elevated CI, and lower levels of cTnI, which may show a possible attenuation of myocardial injury.