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Aims We explored whether a missed cohort of patients in the community with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) could be identified and receive treatment optimization through a primary care heart failure (PCHF) service. Methods and results PCHF is a partnership between Inspira Health, National Health Service Cardiologists and Medtronic. The PCHF service uses retrospective clinical audit to identify patients requiring a prospective face-to-face consultation with a consultant cardiologist for clinical review of their HF management within primary care. The service is delivered via five phases: (i) system interrogation of general practitioner (GP) systems; (ii) clinical audit of medical records; (iii) patient invitation; (iv) consultant reviews; and (v) follow-up. A total of 78 GP practices (864 194 population) have participated. In total, 19 393 patients’ records were audited. HF register was 9668 (prevalence 1.1%) with 6162 patients coded with LVSD (prevalence 0.7%). HF case finder identified 9725 additional patients to be audited of whom 2916 patients required LVSD codes adding to the patient medical record (47% increase in LVSD). Prevalence of HF with LVSD increased from 0.7% to 1.05%. A total of 662 patients were invited for consultant cardiologist review at their local GP practice. The service found that within primary care, 27% of HF patients identified for a cardiologist consultation were eligible for complex device therapy, 45% required medicines optimization, and 47% of patients audited required diagnosis codes adding to their GP record. Conclusion A PCHF service can identify a missed cohort of patients with HF and LVSD, enabling the optimization of prognostic medication and an increase in device prescription.

OBJECTIVE Ensuring patients with Atrial fibrillation (AF) are appropriately anticoagulated across NHS Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) with the primary goal of reducing AF-related strokes. METHODS With Inspira Health, BCCG adopted the Primary Care Atrial Fibrillation (PCAF) Service which is led by Consultant Cardiologists. PCAF uses retrospective clinical audit to identify patients who require prospective face-to-face review on the need for anticoagulation. RESULTS 34 GP practices participated covering a 376 311 population (80% of BCCG). 12 573 patients' medical records were audited. The initial AF register was 7301 patients (AF prevalence 1.9%) and an additional 265 patients were identified through AF casefinder resulting in an AF prevalence of 2.0%. From 7566 patients with AF, 5831 were already on anticoagulants (77.1%), with 50.5% (n = 2947) on VKA medications and 49.5% (n = 2884) on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Of the DOAC patients, 595 (20.6%) required dosage review or up to date blood tests. Case notes were reviewed for 1735 patients not on anticoagulation, with 901 (51.9%) patients deemed not eligible for anticoagulation. This left 834 (48.1%) patients who were eligible for, but not on, anticoagulation. A further 407 (13.8%) patients currently taking VKA medications were deemed sup-optimal with regards to INR control with TTR

Background There is no consensus on the best risk prediction model for mortality following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The objective was to evaluate the performance of five risk prediction models using the UK National Vascular Database (NVD). Methods Data on elective AAA repairs from the NVD between January 2008 and December 2010 were analysed. The models assessed were: Glasgow Aneurysm Score (GAS), Vascular Biochemical and Haematological Outcome Model (VBHOM), physiological component of the Vascular Physiological and Operative Severity Score for enUmeration of Mortality (V-POSSUM), Medicare and Vascular Governance North West (VGNW). Overall model discrimination and calibration in equally sized risk-group quintiles were assessed. Results The study cohort included 10 891 patients undergoing elective AAA repair (median age 74 years, 87·3 per cent men). The in-hospital mortality rates following endovascular and open repair were 1·3 and 4·7 per cent respectively (2·9 per cent overall). The Medicare and VGNW models both showed good discrimination (area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve 0·71), whereas the GAS, VBHOM and V-POSSUM models showed poor discrimination (area under ROC curve 0·60, 0·61 and 0·62 respectively). The VGNW model was the only one to predict the overall mortality rate in the cohort (3·3 per cent predicted versus 2·9 per cent observed; P = 0·066). The VGNW model demonstrated good calibration, predicting risk accurately in four risk-group quintiles. The Medicare, V-POSSUM and VBHOM models accurately predicted risk in three, two and no risk-group quintiles respectively. Conclusion The Medicare and VGNW models contain similar risk factors and showed good discrimination when applied to the NVD. Both models would be suitable for risk prediction after elective AAA repair in the UK.

Objectives Renal failure following abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is a common and significant complication. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for renal failure following open elective AAA repair. Design A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multi-centre data. Materials Consecutive data on patients undergoing open elective AAA repair were collected between January 2000 and December 2010. Patients with pre-operative serum creatinine >200 μmol/L were excluded. Methods Renal failure was reported by clinicians and included all patients requiring post-operative renal-replacement therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify renal failure risk factors. A simplified clinical risk score was developed. Results Post-operative renal failure occurred in 140 (6.0%) of 2347 patients and was associated with age >75 (OR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.11–2.26), symptomatic AAA (OR = 1.77, 95%CI 1.24–2.52), supra/juxta renal AAA (OR = 2.17, 95%CI 1.32–3.57) pre-operative serum creatinine >150 (OR = 2.75, 95%CI 1.69–4.50), treated hypertension (OR = 1.87, 95%CI 1.28–2.74), and respiratory disease (OR = 2.08, 95%CI 1.45–2.97). Patients with post-operative renal failure had significantly higher 30-day mortality (35.0% vs. 4.3%, p Conclusions Renal failure following open elective AAA repair was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Risk factors for post-operative renal failure were identified and a simple clinical risk score developed to facilitate focussed care strategies for high-risk patients.

Objective Endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) is increasingly used as an alternative to open vein harvesting (OVH) for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Concerns about the safety of EVH with regard to midterm clinical outcomes following CABG have been raised. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of EVH on short-term and midterm clinical outcomes following CABG. Design This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multi-centre data. A propensity score was developed for EVH and used to match patients who underwent EVH to those who underwent OVH. Setting Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Plymouth Derriford Hospital and the University Hospital of South Manchester were the main study settings. Patients There were 4709 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG using EVH or OVH between January 2008 and July 2010. Main outcome measures The main outcome measure was a combined end point of death, repeat revascularisation or myocardial infarction. Secondary outcome measures included in-hospital morbidity, in-hospital mortality and midterm mortality. Results Compared to OVH, EVH was not associated with an increased risk of the main outcome measure at a median follow-up of 22 months (HR 1.15; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.74). EVH was also not associated with an increased risk of in-hospital morbidity, in-hospital mortality (0.9% vs 1.1%, p=0.71) or midterm mortality (HR 1.04; 95% CI 0.65 to 1.66). Conclusions This multi-centre study demonstrates that at a median follow-up of 22 months, EVH was not associated with adverse short-term or midterm clinical outcomes. However, before the safety of EVH can be clearly determined, further analyses of long-term clinical outcomes are required.

Long-term safety of drug-eluting stent (DES) is still a concern. We aimed to assess the impact of DES use on all-cause mortality and target-lesion revascularisation (TLR) in routine clinical practice.Retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation at our institution between January 2003 and December 2004. To account for differences in patient characteristics, logistic regression was used to produce a propensity score for DES group membership. Patients receiving DES were then matched to patients receiving bare metal stents (BMS) with identical propensity scores. These two groups were then compared with respect to the incidence of TLR and all-cause mortality.During the study period 995 patients received DES. Of these, 82 patients had combined DES and BMS use and were therefore excluded; leaving 913 DES patients compared to 2105 BMS patients. Patients who received DES were more likely to be diabetic, hypertensive, had more lesions treated, restenotic lesions treated, left anterior descending and left main stem interventions, long lesions treated, small diameter lesions treated, and American Heart Association C-type lesions treated. After performing propensity-matching, to account for differences in patient characteristics, we were able to successfully match 777 DES patients to 777 BMS patients. The TLR rates at 24 months were significantly lower for DES patients (DES-4.2% vs BMS-9.2%, p0.001). All-cause mortality was also significantly lower for DES patients (DES-1.8% vs BMS-4.0%, p=0.01).In routine clinical practice DES implantation continued to demonstrate a significant reduction in the need for repeat intervention at 24 months. All-cause and cardiac mortality was also significantly lower for DES patients compared to BMS patients.

Objective: We examined the effect of cardiac comorbidity on mortality and postoperative complications following surgery for primary nonsmall cell lung cancer. Methods: Between October 2001 to December 2005, 1067 consecutive patients underwent lung resection for primary cancer within a single centre; patient data was collected prospectively. Two hundred and seventy-one patients had a history of cardiac comorbidity, which included 196 angina, 118 myocardial infarction, 36 revascularisation, 10 congestive cardiac failure and 19 rhythm disorders (numbers not mutually exclusive). To account for differences in case-mix we used logistic regression to develop a propensity score for cardiac comorbiditygroupmembershipandthenperformedapropensity-matchedanalysis.Kaplan—Meiercurveswereusedtoassessfollow-upmortality. Results:Patients with cardiac comorbidity were more likely to be hypertensive, have severe dyspnoea,diabetes, current or ex-smokers and were older. After performing propensity matching to account for these differences we successfully matched 199 patients with cardiac comorbidity to 398 patients with no cardiac history. There was no difference in in-hospital mortality (2.5% vs 3%, p = 0.73), myocardial infarction (0.5% vs 0.3%, p > 0.99), arrhythmia (15.6% vs 14.1%, p = 0.62), renal failure (2% vs 1.5%, p = 0.65), stroke (0.5% vs 0.3%, p > 0.99), respiratory insufficiency (4% vs 3.3%,p = 0.64), reintubation(1% vs 2.5%,p = 0.35), tracheostomy (4% vs 7.8%,p = 0.08), intensivecare readmission (8.5% vs 6.5%,p = 0.37) and length of stay (8 days vs 8 days, p = 0.98). Three-year survival was similar (61.4% vs 56.2%, p = 0.39). No differences in outcomes existed with different cardiac conditions. Conclusion: With careful assessment and patient selection, patients with cardiac comorbidity were not found to be at increased risk of mortality and morbidity following lung resection for primary non-small cell lung cancer in a propensity-matched population. # 2008 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The aim of this study was to develop a multivariate risk prediction model for prolonged ventilation after adult cardiac surgery.This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 12,662 consecutive patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery between April 1997 and March 2005. Data were randomly split into a development dataset (n = 6,000) and a validation dataset (n = 6,662). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken using a forward stepwise technique to identify independent risk factors for prolonged ventilation (defined as ventilation greater than 48 hours). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic were calculated to assess the performance and calibration of the model, respectively. Patients were split into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups based on their predicted probability of prolonged ventilation.Three hundred thirty-three patients had prolonged ventilation (5.5%). Independent variables, identified with prolonged ventilation, are shown with relevant coefficient values and p values as follows: (1) age 65 to 75 years, 0.7831, p0.001; (2) age 75 to 80 years, 1.5605, p0.001; (3) age greater than 80 years, 1.7115, p0.001; (4) forced expiratory volume less than 70% predicted, 0.3707, p = 0.013; (5) current smoker, 0.5315, p = 0.001; (6) serum creatinine 125 to 175 micromol/L, 0.6371, p0.001; (7) serum creatinine greater than 175 micromol/L, 1.3817, p0.001; (8) peripheral vascular disease, 0.6212, p0.001; (9) ejection fraction less than 0.30, 0.7839, p0.001; (10) myocardial infraction less than 90 days, 0.7415, p0.001; (11) preoperative ventilation, 1.3540, p = 0.004; (12) prior cardiac surgery, 0.8946, p0.001; (13) urgent surgery, 0.4414, p = 0.004; (14) emergency surgery, 0.7421, p = 0.005; (15) mitral valve surgery, 0.7715, p0.001; (16) aortic surgery, 1.7043, p0.001; and (17) use of cardiopulmonary bypass, 0.4052, p = 0.025; intercept, -4.7666. The ROC curve for the predicted probability of prolonged ventilation was 0.79, indicating a good discrimination power. The prediction equation was well-calibrated, predicting well at all levels of risk. A simplified additive scoring system was also developed. In the validation dataset, 5.1% of patients had prolonged ventilation compared with 5.4% expected. The ROC curve for the validation dataset was 0.75.We developed a contemporaneous multivariate prediction model for prolonged ventilation after cardiac surgery. This tool can be used in day-to-day practice to calculate patient-specific risk by the logistic equation or a simple scoring system with an equivalent predicted risk.

To study changes in coronary artery surgery practice in the years spanning publication of cardiac surgery mortality data in the UK.A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all National Health Service centres undertaking adult cardiac surgery in northwest England was carried out. Patients undergoing coronary artery surgery for the first time between April 1997 and March 2005 were included. Changes in observed, predicted and risk adjusted mortality (EuroSCORE) were studied. Evidence of risk-averse behaviour was looked for by examining the number of patients at low risk (EuroSCORE 0-5), high risk (6-10), and very high risk (11 or more), before and after public disclosure.25,730 patients underwent coronary artery surgery during the study period. The observed mortality decreased from 2.4% in 1997-8 to 1.8% in 2004-5 (p = 0.014). The expected mortality (EuroSCORE) increased from 3.0 to 3.5 (p0.001). The observed to expected mortality ratio decreased from 0.8 to 0.51 (p0.05). The total number and percentage of patients who were at low risk, high risk and very high risk was 2694 (84.6%), 449 (14.1%) and 41 (1.3%) before and 2654 (81.7%), 547 (16.8%) and 47 (1.4%) after public disclosure, respectively, demonstrating a significant increase in the number and proportion of high risk patients undergoing surgery (p0.001).Publication of cardiac surgery mortality data in the UK has been associated with decreased risk adjusted mortality on retrospective analysis of a large patient database. There is no evidence that fewer high risk patients are undergoing surgery because mortality rates are published.

Chronic refractory angina is an increasingly prevalent, complex chronic pain condition, which results in frequent hospitalization for chest pain. We have previously shown that a novel outpatient cognitive-behavioral chronic disease management program (CB-CDMP) improves angina status and quality of life in such patients. In the present study of 271 chronic refractory angina patients enrolled in our CB-CDMP, total hospital admissions were reduced from 2.40 admissions per patient per year to 1.78 admissions per patient per year (P0.001). The rising trend of total hospital bed day occupancy prior to enrollment fell from 15.48 days per patient per year to a stable 10.34 days per patient per year (P0.001). There were 32 recorded myocardial infarctions prior to enrollment compared to eight in the year following enrollment (14% vs. 2.3%, P0.001) and overall mortality was lower that comparable groups treated with surgery. This study shows that educating patients and demystifying angina using a brief outpatient CB-CDMP produces an immediate and sustained reduction in hospital admission costs that represents a major potential health care saving. This benefit accrues in addition to the known effects of CB-CDMP on symptoms and quality of life. These data suggest that a CB-CDMP approach to symptom palliation represents a low cost alternative to palliative revascularization.

Background: There are limited data on the impact of successful chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on survival. We performed a retrospective study comparing the survival between patients with a successful and a failed CTO revascularization by PCI. Methods: Between January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2004, 543 of 5803 (9.4%) patients underwent PCI for a CTO at our center. A CTO was defined as an occlusion of the artery present for at least 3 months with Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 or 1. Patient records were linked to a national database to monitor all deaths during follow up. Propensity matching was used to balance out case mix differences. Results: Technical success for CTO was 377 of 543 (69.4%). In-hospital mortality was 0.3% and 1.2% for the CTO success and CTO failure patients, respectively. During a mean (SD) follow up of 1.7 (0.5) years, the mortality rate was 2.5% in the CTO success patients and 7.3% in the CTO failure patients. The crude hazard ratio for death with CTO failure was 3.92 (95% confidence intervals 1.56–10.07; P = 0.004). The rates of coronary artery bypass were 3.2% vs. 21.7% (P < 0.001) for the CTO success and CTO failure patients, respectively. Our propensity matched 157 CTO success to CTO failure patients and the associated hazard ratio for death with CTO failure was 4.63 (95% confidence interval 1.01–12.61; P = 0.049). Multivariate analysis showed that CTO failure was an independent predictor of death. Conclusion: Patients with a successful revascularization of a CTO by PCI have an increased survival rate compared to patients with a failed CTO procedure. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Objectives: To study the ability of the logistic EuroSCORE to predict operative risk in contemporary cardiac surgery. Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Setting: All National Health Service centres undertaking adult cardiac surgery in northwest England. Patients: All patients undergoing cardiac surgery between April 2002 and March 2004. Main outcome measures: The predictive ability of the logistic EuroSCORE was assessed by analysing how well it discriminates between patients with differing observed risk by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and studying how well it is calibrated against observed in-hospital mortality. The performance of the EuroSCORE was examined in the following surgical subgroups: all cardiac surgery, isolated coronary artery surgery, isolated valve surgery, combined valve and coronary surgery, mitral valve surgery, aortic valve surgery and other surgery. Results: 9995 patients underwent surgery. The discrimination of the logistic EuroSCORE was good with a ROC curve area of 0.79 for all cardiac surgery (range 0.71–0.79 in the subgroups). For all operations, the predicted mortality was 5.7% and observed mortality was 3.3%. The logistic EuroSCORE overpredicted observed mortality for all subgroups but by differing degrees (p = 0.02) Conclusions: The logistic EuroSCORE is a reasonable overall predictor for contemporary cardiac surgery but overestimates observed mortality. Its accuracy at predicting risk in different surgical subgroups varies. The logistic EuroSCORE should be recalibrated before it is used to gain reassurance about outcomes. Caution should be exercised when using it to compare hospitals or surgeons with a different operative case mix.

Background The follow-up data for the Alfieri edge-to-edge technique of mitral valve repair is still a matter of interest. We describe the medium-term results of a single surgeon's practice with clinical and echocardiographic follow-up. Methods Between October 1998 and July 2003, 41 patients underwent the Alfieri repair. Mean age of the patients was 68 years, 34.2% were female, 26 (63.41%) had New York Heart Association (NHYA) class III symptoms, and 19 (46.3%) had concomitant coronary disease. Preoperatively, 26 patients had grade 4+, 12 patients had grade 3+, and 3 patients had grade 2+ mitral regurgitation. The pathologies included myxomatous degeneration (73.2%), ischemic cardiomyopathy (12.2%), rheumatic (4.9%), dilated cardiomyopathy (2.4%), previous infection (2.4%), and indeterminate pathology (4.9%). Thirty-three patients (80.4%) had a ring annuloplasty, and 17 (41.4%) had concomitant coronary surgery. Median duration of echocardiographic follow-up was 22.1 months (range, 0.2 to 60.1). Results Hospital mortality was 4.8% (2 of 41). Four patients underwent reintervention on the mitral valve. At follow-up, 26 patients (66.6%) were in NYHA class I. The actuarial freedom from death or reoperation at 5 years was 80.4%. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 94.3% of the 35 hospital survivors who did not undergo reoperation. Twenty-nine patients (87.8%) had grade 0–1+ mitral regurgitation, and the remainder had grade 2+ mitral regurgitation. All patients discharged from hospital were alive in December 2005. Conclusions The Alfieri edge-to-edge repair for mitral regurgitation is a safe and useful technique and should be included in the armamentarium of the mitral valve surgeon.

Intestinal ischaemia following cardiac surgery is a serious complication, which carries a high mortality rate. Several studies have examined pre-operative and intra-operative risk factors. We aimed to develop a multivariate risk model to identify those patients at highest risk of intestinal ischaemia.Data was prospectively collected for 10,976 consecutive cardiac surgery patients from our institution between April 1997 and March 2004. Fifty (0.5%) patients developed post-operative intestinal ischaemia. A forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken to identify predictors of developing intestinal ischaemia. Intra-operative and post-operative variables were censored at the time of onset of intestinal ischaemia.The predictors of post-operative intestinal ischaemia were: post-op inotrope and dialysis support (OR 6.7; p0.001), post-op ventilation48 h (OR 5.1; p0.001), age at operation (OR 1.06 [for each additional year]; p0.001), post-op atrial fibrillation (OR 2.3; p = 0.014) and blood loss in intensive care unit (ICU)700 ml (OR 2.0; p = 0.037). The predictive ability of this model was very good with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93. In-hospital mortality for the patients who developed intestinal ischaemia was 94% (47/50) compared to 3.6% (390/10,926) for the other patients (p0.001).Although the incidence of intestinal ischaemia following cardiac surgery is low, the prognosis for these patients is very poor. We have identified several risk factors, and developed a multivariate prediction tool, which may be useful in identifying patients at high-risk of developing intestinal ischaemia.

As little is known about the impact of non-dialysis-dependent renal dysfunction on short- and mid-term outcomes following coronary surgery we have conducted a large multi-centre study comparing patients with no history of renal dysfunction to those with preoperative renal dysfunction.Data was prospectively collected on 19,625 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary surgery between 1997 and 2003 from four institutions. Sixty-seven patients had a history of dialysis support prior to coronary surgery, and were excluded from the main analysis of the study. The remaining 19,558 patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative serum creatinine level, patients with preoperative renal dysfunction with serum creatinine levels200 micromol/L without dialysis support and control patients with preoperative serum creatinine levels200 micromol/L. Case-mix was accounted for by developing a propensity score, which was the probability of belonging to the non-dialysis-dependent renal dysfunction group, and included in the multivariable analyses.There were 19,172 patients with preoperative serum creatinine levels200 micromol/L and 386 patients with serum creatinine levels200 micromol/L without dialysis support. The propensity score included sex, body mass index, co-morbidity factors (respiratory disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia), ejection fraction, left main stem stenosis, emergency status, prior cardiac surgery, off-pump surgery, and the logistic EuroSCORE. After adjusting for the propensity score, patients with preoperative non-dialysis-dependent renal dysfunction had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 3.0, p0.001), stroke (adjusted odds ratio 2.0, p = 0.033), atrial arrhythmia (adjusted odds ratio 1.5, p = 0.003), prolonged ventilation (adjusted odds ratio 2.1, p0.001), and post-op stay6 days (adjusted odds ratio 2.6, p0.001). One thousand one hundred and eighty-three (6.1%) deaths occurred during 58,062 patient-years follow-up. After adjusting for the propensity score, the adjusted hazard ratio of mid-term mortality for non-dialysis-dependent renal dysfunction was 2.7 (p0.001).Patients undergoing coronary surgery with non-dialysis-dependent renal dysfunction have significantly increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. Mid-term survival is also significantly reduced at 5-years.

Background Elevated preprocedural systemic markers of inflammation, including white blood cell count, have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention. The relationship between preoperative white blood cell count and clinical outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting is less clear despite increasing evidence that neutrophils participate in reperfusion injury. We sought to determine the relationship between preoperative white blood cell count and in hospital major morbidity and 1-year survival after coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods We prospectively studied 3,024 consecutive isolated coronary artery bypass graft procedures. Preoperative white blood cell count was determined by automated counter, perioperative cardiac enzyme release by the creatine kinase–myocardial band isoenzyme, and all-cause mortality over the first postoperative year taken from a national death registry. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed. Results Preoperative white blood cell count offered as a continuous variable and as five predetermined groups was independently associated with cardiac enzyme release three or more times the upper limit of the reference range (adjusted odds ratio=1.5 per 10 × 10 9 /L increase, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 2.0, p = 0.002) and higher 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio=1.6 per 10 × 10 9 /L increase, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 2.1, p Conclusions Higher preoperative white blood cell count is independently associated with higher perioperative myonecrosis and 1-year mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of drug eluting stents (DES) compared with conventional stents for treatment of symptomatic coronary artery disease in the UK. Design: Cost–utility analysis of audit based patient subgroups by means of a simple economic model. Setting: Tertiary care. Participants: 12 month audit data for 2884 patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting at the Cardiothoracic Centre Liverpool between January 2000 and December 2002. Main outcome measures: Risk of repeat revascularisation within 12 months of index procedure and reduction in risk from use of DES. Economic modelling was used to estimate the cost–utility ratio and threshold price premium. Results: Four factors were identified for patients undergoing elective surgery (n = 1951) and two for non-elective surgery (n = 933) to predict risk of repeat revascularisation within 12 months. Most patients fell within the subgroup with lowest risk (57% of the elective surgery group with 5.6% risk and 91% of the non-elective surgery group with 9.9% risk). Modelled cost–utility ratios were acceptable for only one group of high risk patients undergoing non-elective surgery (only one patient in audit data). Restricting the number of DES for each patient improved results marginally: 4% of stents could then be drug eluting on economic grounds. The threshold price premium justifying 90% substitution of conventional stents was estimated to be £112 (US$212, €162) (sirolimus stents) or £89 (US$167, €130) (paclitaxel stents). Conclusions: At current UK prices, DES are not cost effective compared with conventional stents except for a small minority of patients. Although the technology is clearly effective, general substitution is not justified unless the price premium falls substantially.

Background The effect of using the left internal mammary artery in combined coronary and valve operations have not been fully investigated. We aimed to quantify the impact of the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery on early and mid-term outcomes in these patients. Methods Data was collected prospectively on 630 consecutive patients who underwent revascularization of the left anterior descending artery with concomitant valve operations between April 1997 and March 2003. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to adjust in-hospital outcomes and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. A propensity score for left internal mammary artery use was constructed to control for selection bias. Results The left internal mammary artery was used in 478 (75.9%) patients. Univariate analyses found left internal mammary artery patients had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (6.3% versus 13.2%; p p = 0.038). After adjusting for treatment selection bias, in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.77; p = 0.45) and renal failure (adjusted odds ratio, 0.94; p = 0.86) were no longer significantly different. A total of 171 (27.1%) deaths occurred during the follow-up, with a total follow-up of 2,325 patient-years. The crude relative risk for the left internal mammary artery was 0.67 ( p = 0.015). After adjusting for the propensity score, the adjusted relative risk was 0.91 ( p = 0.62). Conclusions The left internal mammary artery does not adversely affect the short-term and medium-term outcomes in patients undergoing concomitant coronary and valve operations. Survival at 7 years was similar with or without the use of the left internal mammary artery.

Objective: The relationship between the timing of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support and surgical outcome remains a subject of debate. Peri-operative mechanical circulatory support is commenced either prophylactically or after increasing inotropic support has proved inadequate. This study evaluates the effect timing of IABP support on the 1-year survival of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: From April 1997 to September 2002, 7698 consecutive cardiac surgical procedures were performed. This included 5678 isolated coronary artery bypasses (CABGs), 1245 isolated valve procedures and 775 simultaneous CABG and valve procedures. IABP support was required in 237 patients (3.1%). Twenty-seven patients (0.35%) were classed as high-risk and received preoperative IABP support, 25 patients (0.32%) were haemodynamically compromised and required preoperative IABP support, 120 patients (1.56%) required intra-operative IABP support, and 65 patients (0.84%) required post-operative IABP support. Multiple variables were offered to a Cox proportional hazards model and significant predictors of 1-year survival were identified. These were used to risk adjust Kaplan‐Meier survival curves. Results: 1-year follow-up was complete and 450 deaths (5.8%) were recorded. The significant independent predictors of increased mortality at 1-year (P!0.05, HRZhazard ratio) were post-operative renal failure (HRZ3.5), increasing EuroSCORE (HRZ1.2), post-operative myocardial infarction (HRZ3.7), postoperative IABP (HRZ4.1) intra-operative IABP (HRZ2.8), post-operative stroke (HRZ2.5), increasing number of valves (HRZ1.6), ejection fraction !30% (HRZ1.3) and triple-vessel disease (HRZ1.3). After risk-adjustment, 1-year survival for patients who required intra-operative IABP support was significantly greater than for those patients who required IABP support in the post-operative period. Conclusions: Patients who warrant IABP support in the post-operative setting have a significantly increased mortality at 1-year when compared to any other group. Therefore, earlier IABP support as part of surgical strategy may help to improve the outcome. Q 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We aimed to determine whether the use of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) confers an improved survival benefit to patients with an impaired preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Between April 1997 and March 2004, 7198 consecutive patients underwent first time CABG to the LAD. There were 627 patients who had an LVEF

Background Diabetic patients are recognized as being at high risk for adverse outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting. We evaluated our outcomes in diabetic patients to compare the effect of off-pump with on-pump coronary revascularization. Methods Between April 1997 and September 2002, 951 consecutive diabetic patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. A total of 186 (19.6%) of these patients had off-pump coronary procedures. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of off-pump coronary procedures on adverse in-hospital outcomes, while adjusting for patient and disease characteristics by constructing a propensity score from core patient characteristics. The propensity score was the probability of receiving off-pump coronary operation, with a C-statistic of 0.81, and was included along with the comparison variable in a multivariable analysis of outcome. All analysis was performed retrospectively. Results Off-pump patients were more likely to be obese ( p = 0.032), have left main stem stenosis ( p = 0.034), and have undergone prior cardiac operation ( p = 0.027). The off-pump group had fewer patients with three-vessel disease compared with the on-pump group. After risk adjusting with propensity score, off-pump patients had a significantly lower incidence of stroke (adjusted odds ratio 0.15; p = 0.039) and renal failure (adjusted odds ratio 0.38; p = 0.036). Off-pump patients also required less blood transfusion ( p p Conclusions Off-pump coronary operation in diabetic patients significantly reduced postoperative morbidity and length of stay compared with on-pump coronary operation, although no in-hospital survival difference was noted between the two groups.

This study examines and quantifies the potential risk factors for increased mid-term mortality in elderly patients (> or = 75 years old) undergoing cardiac surgery. We undertook a retrospective analysis of 840 consecutive elderly patients who underwent cardiac surgery (CABG and/or Valve) between April 1997 and March 2002. Deaths occurring as a function of time were described using the product limit methodology of Kaplan and Meier. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify preoperative risk factors for mortality with hazard ratios (HR). One hundred and sixty-two (19.3%) deaths occurred during the study period, with a total follow-up of 1866 patient years (mean 2.2 years, SD 1.5 years). Observed freedom from death in the elderly patients at 5 years was 71.7%, compared to 70.9% for the age- and sex-matched general population (P=0.252). Multivariate analysis for independent predictors of increased mortality found that renal dysfunction (HR 3.2; P

Der Anteil aktiver Raucher in der koronaren Bypasschirurgie nimmt zu. Das Ziel dieser Studie war, die Wirkung des Raucherstatus auf die postoperativen Ergebnisse und Ereignisse zu untersuchen. Zwischen April 1997 und Marz 2003 wurden 6 367 Patienten einer chirurgischen Myokardrevaskularisation unterzogen. Zur Risikoadjustierung wurden die von der American Heart Association und dem American College of Cardiology vorgeschlagenen Parameter berucksichtigt. Unter Zuhilfenahme der logistischen Regression, Cox-Proportional-Hazards-Analyse sowie der Kaplan-Meier-Methode wurden die operativen Ergebnisse untersucht. 947 Patienten (14,9%) rauchten noch in den letzten 4 Wochen vor der Operation, 3 857 (60,6%) waren Exraucher (mindestens 4 Wochen vor der Operation aufgehort) und 1 563 (24,5%) Nichtraucher. Nach Risikoadjustierung zeigten aktive Raucher eine erhohte Neigung zu pulmonalen Infektionen (p 48 h (p = 0,003) und tendierten mehr zur einer intensivmedizinischen Behandlung > 3 Tage (p < 0,001). Die Krankenhausletalitat zeigte bei den drei Gruppen keinen signifikanten Unterschied. Wahrend die Exraucher bei der Verlaufskontrolle in den ersten 4 Jahren keine hohere Letalitatsrate zeigten (p = 0,11), war die Letalitatsrate bei Rauchern signifikant erhoht (p = 0,029). Raucher neigen zu erhohten pulmonalen Komplikationen und langerem Aufenthalt auf der Intensivstation. Obwohl die Krankenhausletalitat hiervon nicht signifikant beeinflusst wird, profitieren die Patienten im Langzeitverlauf von der Aufgabe des Rauchens.

Objective: We examined our coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) experience to assess the effect of training on mortality and morbidity outcomes. Methods: Between April 1997 and September 2002, 5678 consecutive patients underwent isolated CABG. Five hundred and fiftyfive (9.9%) were performed by trainee surgeons. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of training on adverse outcomes, while adjusting for patient and disease characteristics (treatment selection bias). Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to adjust Kaplan ‐ Meier survival curves. Treatment selection bias was controlled for by constructing a propensity score from core patient characteristics including the additive EuroSCORE. The propensity score was the probability of CABG performed by trainee, with a C-statistic of 0.79, and was included along with the comparison variable (trainee vs Consultant) in a multivariable analysis of outcome. The propensity score is used as the sole variable for adjustment due to the low number of events, providing a more complete risk adjustment. Results: CABG procedures performed by trainee surgeons were less likely to be female, hypertensive, obese, triple-vessel disease, redo and emergency cases. Also, trainee surgeons were less likely to operate on patients with cerebrovascular disease, renal dysfunction, and previous myocardial infarctions, prior gastrointestinal surgery, and poor left ventricular ejection fraction. The additive EuroSCORE was 2.9 in trainee cases compared to 3.5 in Consultant led cases ðP , 0:001Þ: Crude outcomes were significantly better in trainee CABGs due to selection bias. In-hospital results were no longer significantly different between both groups after adjusting for the propensity score. The adjusted freedom from death in the trainee cases at 30 days, 1, 2, 3, and 4 years was 98.1, 96.2, 94.7, 93.2 and 91.8%, respectively, compared to 97.9, 95.7, 94.1, 92.3 and 90.8% for the Consultant led cases ðP ¼ 0:53Þ: Conclusions: After adjusting for case-mix, with careful case selection, training does not adversely affect the early and mid-term outcomes of CABG. q 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acute renal failure after cardiac surgery is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, particularly when associated with hemodialysis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the use of cardiopulmonary bypass increased the risk of developing acute renal failure.The 2199 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2000 and March 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with significant preoperative renal dysfunction (preoperative serum creatinine200 micromol/L) were excluded. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to identify independent risk factors for the development of acute renal failure.In the study, 53 patients (2.4%) developed acute renal failure before hospital discharge. The crude incidences of acute renal failure for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in the on- and off- pump groups were 2.9% and 1.4%, respectively (p = 0.031). There were 1483 patients who underwent on-pump surgery whereas 716 patients were in the off-pump group. The two groups were broadly comparable on many variables. The off-pump group were slightly younger on average (63.6 versus 64.9 years old [p = 0.017]), but had more angina class IV patients (39.5% versus 28.9% [p0.001]) and a greater proportion of redo surgery (4.1% versus 1.6% [p0.001]). The on-pump group had more patients with three-vessel disease (82.8% versus 74.3% [p0.001]). The logistic regression model identified use of cardiopulmonary bypass as an independent risk factor for the development of acute renal failure (odds ratio 2.64 [95% confidence intervals 1.27 to 5.45]). Other independent predictors of acute renal failure were preoperative creatinine levels, diabetes, emergency operations, increasing age, increasing body mass index, and peripheral vascular disease.Cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with significantly increased risk of acute renal failure following isolated coronary artery bypass surgery.

We aimed to quantify the effect of avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass on outcomes in high-risk patients. Of the 2079 consecutive CABG's performed by three surgeons between April 1997 and September 2002, 389 were classified as high-risk according to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) risk stratification, with a score of >5. The off-pump group had 196 patients and the on-pump group had 193 patients. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of off-pump on in-hospital outcomes, while adjusting for treatment selection bias with a propensity score. The incidence of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and renal dysfunction were higher in the off-pump group. The median EuroSCORE for off-pump patients was 7 (6-8), while for the on-pump patients was 7 (6-8; P=0.31). After adjusting for the propensity score, off-pump patients were less likely to have stroke (OR 0.17; P=0.041), renal failure (OR 0.35; P=0.029), blood transfusion (OR 0.12; P

Preoperative beta-blockade in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has recently been shown to be beneficial in improving the early outcomes after surgery. We aimed to quantify the effect of preoperative beta-blockade on outcomes in our own patient population. We performed a retrospective analysis on CABG patients identified from our prospectively collected cardiac surgery database. Logistic regression was used to adjust in-hospital outcomes for differences in patient and disease characteristics. Treatment selection bias was controlled by deriving a propensity score for beta-blocker therapy. Consecutive patients (4381) underwent CABG on cardiopulmonary bypass between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 2002, with 2836 (64.7%) on preoperative beta-blocker therapy. After adjustment with the propensity score, beta-blocker therapy was significantly associated with a reduction in post-operative stroke (adjusted OR 0.59, p=0.011). The incidence of atrial arrhythmia was significantly increased in patients who had received preoperative beta-blockers (adjusted OR 1.21, p=0.011). There were no significant differences in operative mortality or other morbidity outcomes. Preoperative beta-blocker therapy significantly reduces the incidence of post-operative cerebrovascular events in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: Non-elective coronary artery surgery (emergent/salvage or urgent) carries an increased risk in most risk-stratification models. Off-pump coronary surgery is increasingly used in non-elective cases. We aimed to investigate the effect of avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass on outcomes following non-elective coronary surgery. Methods: Of the 3771 consecutive coronary artery bypass procedures performed by five surgeons between April 1997 and March 2002, 828 (22%) were non-elective and 417 (50.4%) of these patients had off-pump surgery. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of off-pump on in-hospital outcomes, while adjusting for treatment selection bias. Treatment selection bias was controlled for by constructing a propensity score from core patient characteristics, which was the probability of avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass. The C statistic for this model was 0.8. Results: Off-pump patients were more likely to be hypertensive, stable, had less extensive disease and better left ventricular function. The left internal mammary artery was used in 91.8% (n ¼ 383) of off-pump patients compared to 79.3% (n ¼ 326) of on-pump cases (P , 0:001). After adjusting for the propensity score, no difference in in-hospital mortality was observed between off-pump and on-pump (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.83 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.36‐ 1.93); P ¼ 0:667). Off-pump patients were less likely to require intra-aortic balloon pump support (adjusted OR 0.44 (95% CI 0.21 ‐ 0.96); P ¼ 0:039), less likely to have renal failure (adjusted OR 0.44 (95% CI 0.22‐ 0.90); P ¼ 0:025), and have shorter lengths of stay (adjusted OR 0.51 (95% CI 0.37‐ 0.70); P , 0:001). Other morbidity outcomes were similar in both groups. Conclusions: In this experience, off-pump coronary surgery in non-elective patients is safe with acceptable results. Non-elective off-pump patients have a significantly reduced incidence of renal failure, and shorter post-operative stays compared to on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. q 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Background The effect of preoperative aspirin use until the day of operation on mortality rate and bleeding risks in patients who had on-pump coronary artery bypass operation has been well documented. However, the effect of aspirin use in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass operation (OPCAB) with regard to postoperative blood loss and morbidity has not been studied. We aimed to determine the effects of continuing aspirin therapy preoperatively. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 340 patients who had first-time OPCAB between January 1998 and September 2001. A propensity score for receiving aspirin until the day of operation was constructed from core patient characteristics. All aspirin users (n = 170) were matched with unique 170 nonaspirin users by identical propensity score. The primary outcome measures were in-hospital mortality rate and hemorrhage-related outcomes (postoperative blood loss in the intensive care unit, reexploration for bleeding, and blood product requirements). Secondary outcome measures were stroke, myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal bleeding, and sternal wound infections. Results There were no differences in patient characteristics between aspirin users and nonaspirin users. The average postoperative blood loss (845 mL versus 775 mL; p = 0.157) and the rate of reexploration for bleeding (3.5% versus 3.5%; p > 0.99) were similar in aspirin users and nonaspirin users. We found no significant difference between blood product requirements for the two groups. Similarly, we found no significant difference in the incidence of the secondary outcomes. Conclusions Preoperative aspirin did not increase bleeding-related complications, mortality rate, or other morbidities in patients who had off-pump coronary artery operation.

Objective: To identify risk factors for sternal wound infection following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), and to compare early and mid-term survival outcome. Methods: Data were prospectively collected for 4228 patients who underwent CABG surgery between April 1997 and March 2001. One hundred and nine (2.6%) patients developed sternal wound infection. We used logistic regression to identify independent risk factors associated with post-operative sternal wound infection. Patient records were linked to the National Strategic Tracing Service, which records all deaths in the UK, to establish current vital status. Deaths occurring over time were described using Kaplan – Meier techniques. To control for differences in patient characteristics, we used Cox proportional hazards analysis to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The results of the logistic regression analysis found that the independent predictors of sternal wound infection were obesity (odds ratio (OR) 2.0; P , 0:001), New York Heart Association class $ 3 (OR 1.6; P ¼ 0:022), use of bilateral internal mammary arteries (OR 3.2; P , 0:001), increasing number of grafts (OR 1.5; P , 0:001), re-exploration for bleeding (OR 3.1; P ¼ 0:011), and increased duration of mechanical ventilation (for every 10 h (OR 1.12; P , 0:001)). Three hundred and forty one (8.1%) deaths occurred during the study period with mean follow up of 3.2 ^ 1.3 years. The crude HR of mid-term mortality for sternal wound infection patients was 2.51 (95% CI 1.59 – 3.94, P , 0:001). After adjustment for pre, intra and post-operative factors, the adjusted HR of mid-term mortality for sternal wound infection patients was 1.64 (95% CI 1.03 – 2.61, P ¼ 0:037). The adjusted freedom from death for sternal wound infections at 30 days, and 1, 2 and 4 years was 96.8, 93.7, 91.4 and 86.7%, respectively, compared with 98.1, 96.1, 94.7 and 91.7% for patients without sternal wound infections. Conclusions: In conclusion, we have identified risk factors for sternal wound infection, many of which are modifiable. We have also shown that there is a significant increase in mortality in patients with sternal wound infection during a 4-year follow-up period after CABG. q 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Objective: Several studies have shown no significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality for obese patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the effect of obesity on mid-term survival has not been adequately studied. We set out to examine whether mid-term survival following CABG is affected by obesity. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 4713 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG between April 1997 and September 2001. Body mass index (BMI) was used as the measure of obesity, with 3429 patients categorised as non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m 2 ), and 1284 patients as obese (EMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ). Patient records were linked to the National Strategic Tracing Service, which records all deaths in the community, to establish current vital status. Deaths occurring over time were described using Kaplan-Meier techniques. To control for differences in patient characteristics, we used Cox proportional hazards analysis to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Three hundred and thirty (7.0%) deaths occurred during the study period, with a mean follow-up of 2.4 ± 1.4 years. The crude HR of mid-term mortality for obese patients was 1.09 (95% Cl 0.86-1.39; P = 0.457). After adjustment for core pre-operative factors, the adjusted HR of mid-term mortality for obese patients was 1.28 (95% Cl 1.01-1.64; P = 0.048). The adjusted freedom from death in the obese patients at 30 days, 1, 2, 3, and 4 years was 97.9, 95.9, 94.2, 92.4 and 90.5%, respectively, compared with 98.4, 96.8, 95.5, 94.0 and 92.5% for the non-obese patients. Conclusions: Although in-hospital mortality after CABG does not seem to be adversely affected by obesity there appears to be a significant increase in mortality in obese patients during a 4-year follow-up period.

Objectives: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications following on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are rare, but carry a high mortality rate. Prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been associated with a higher incidence of such complications. Little is known about the effect of avoiding CPB on GI complications. Our hypothesis was that off-pump CABG might reduce such complications. Methods: A total of 2327 consecutive cases undergoing isolated CABG between April 1997 and May 2001 were identified from four consultants' practice at the two cardiothoracic centres involved in this study. We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for development of post-operative GI complications. Potential risk factors considered in the logistic model were age, sex, angina, ejection fraction, peripheral vascular disease, renal dysfunction, redo operations, previous GI complications, priority of surgery and the use of CPB. Results: A total of 1210 cases were performed on CPB, compared to 1117 off-pump. The incidence of GI complications was 1.2% (n = 14) in the on-pump group and 1.6% (n = 18) in the off-pump group (P = 0.347). The incidence of in-hospital mortality, in the patients who had a GI complication, was 28.6% (n = 4) and 22.2% (n = 4), respectively (P = 0.681). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that renal dysfunction, advancing age and previous history of GI surgery are significant risk factors for GI complications after coronary bypass surgery whether CPB is used or not. Conclusions: Our study suggests that off-pump and on-pump techniques are similar in the rates of GI complications. We suggest that a properly designed randomized control trial is needed to verify our findings.

Objectives: Obesity is often perceived to be a risk factor for adverse outcomes following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Several studies have been unclear about the relationship between obesity and the risk of adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity and in-hospital outcomes following CABG, while adjusting for confounding factors. Methods :A total of 4713 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG between April 1997 and September 2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Body mass index (BMI) was used as the measure of obesity and was grouped as non-obese (BMI ,30), obese (BMI 30–35), and severely obese (BMI $35). Associations between obesity and in-hospital outcomes were assessed by use of logistic regression to adjust for differences in patient characteristics. Results: A total of 3429 patients were defined as non-obese, compared to 1041 obese and 243 severely obese. There was no association between obesity and in-hospital mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, re-exploration for bleeding and renal failure. Obesity was significantly associated with atrial arrhythmia (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.19, P ¼ 0:037 for the obese; adjusted OR 1.52, P ¼ 0:008 for the severely obese) and sternal wound infections (adjusted OR 1.82, P ¼ 0:002 for the obese; adjusted OR 2.10, P ¼ 0:038 for the severely obese). The severely obese patients were 4.17 (P , 0:001) times more likely to develop harvest site infections. Severely obese patients were also more likely to have prolonged mechanical ventilation and post-operative stays, compared to non-obese patients. Conclusions: Obese patients are not associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality following coronary artery bypass surgery. In contrast, there is a significant increased risk of morbidities and post-operative length of stay in obese patients compared to non-obese patients. q 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Objective: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery is being increasingly reported to show better outcomes compared to conventional on bypass grafting. We examined the effect of OPCAB on in-hospital mortality and morbidity, while adjusting for patient and disease characteristics, in four institutions in the North West of England. Methods: Between April 1997 and March 2001, 10 941 consecutive patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass surgery at these four institutions. Of these, 7.7% were performed off-pump. We used logistic regression to examine the effect of OPCAB on in-hospital mortality and morbidity after adjusting for potentially confounding variables. Results: The crude odds ratio (OR) for death (off-pump versus on-pump coronary bypass grafting) was 0.48 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.26‐0.92; P ¼ 0:023). After adjustment for all major risk factors, the OR for death was 0.59 (95% CI 0.31‐1.12; P ¼ 0:105). Off-pump patients had a substantially reduced risk of post-operative stroke (0.6 versus 2.3%, respectively; adjusted OR 0.26 (95% CI 0.09‐ 0.70; P ¼ 0:008) and a significant reduction in post-operative hospital stay. Other morbidity outcomes were similar in both groups. Conclusions: Off-pump coronary artery bypass incurs no increased risk of in-hospital mortality. In contrast, there is a significant reduction in morbidity in patients undergoing off-pump coronary bypass grafting when compared to that performed on cardiopulmonary bypass. q 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Objectives: The decision to perform lung biopsy in the evaluation of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is based on the probability that this examination will yield a specific diagnosis, leading to a change in treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the diagnostic yield of lung biopsy for ILD. Methods: One hundred patients underwent lung biopsy for ILD over a 5-year period. There were 59 men and 41 women; with a median age of 51.5 years. Thirty percent underwent open lung biopsy, while 70% had videothoracoscopic biopsy. Patient and disease characteristics, prior diagnostic studies, pre-operative therapy, biopsy type, site, size, number, and laterality were compared to identify factors that might influence diagnostic yield. Results: Forty-two percent had a specific diagnosis, while 58% had a nonspecific diagnosis. Right side was selected in 57.1% of patients with a specific diagnosis and 48.3% of patients without a specific diagnosis ðP ¼ 0:381Þ. Right lower lobe was the main site for biopsy in the specific diagnosis group compared to the non-specific group (35.7 versus 20.7%, P ¼ 0:095). Left upper lobe was the main site for biopsy in the non-specific diagnosis group compared to the specific diagnosis group (41.4 versus 23.8%, P ¼ 0:067). Mean volume of biopsy was 12.3 cm 3 in the specific diagnosis group and 12 cm 3 in the non-specific diagnosis group ðP ¼ 0:373Þ. Two or more biopsies were carried out in 38.1% of the specific diagnosis group compared to 25.9% of the nonspecific diagnosis group ðP ¼ 0:192Þ. There were no significant factors in predicting a diagnostic yield. Of those patients with a specific diagnosis, 59.5% had therapy altered, compared to 55.2% of those with a non-specific diagnosis ðP ¼ 0:664Þ. Conclusions: Lung biopsy does not always provide a specific diagnosis and does not always change therapy. The site, size, number, and laterality of the biopsy specimen have no definite influence on diagnosis. There is a trend to improve diagnostic yield by carrying out two or more biopsies on the right lung. q 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

A potential morbidity of incomplete re-warming following hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is cardiac arrest. In contrast, attempts to fully re-warm the patient can lead to cerebral hyperthermia. Similarly, rigid adherence to 37.0 degrees C during normothermic CPB may also cause cerebral overheating. The literature demonstrates scant information concerning the actual temperatures measured, the sites of temperature measurement and the detailed thermal strategies employed during CPB. A prospective, randomized, controlled study was undertaken to investigate the ability to manage perfusion temperature control in a group of hypothermic patients (28 degrees C) and a group of normothermic patients (37 degrees C). Eighty patients presenting for first-time, elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) were randomly allocated to the hypothermic and normothermic groups. All surgery was performed by one surgeon and the anaesthesia managed by one anaesthetist. Temperature measurements were made at the nasopharyngeal (NP) site, as well as in the arterial line of the CPB circuit. The hypothermic group had the arterial blood temperature lowered to 25.0 degrees C to maintain the NP temperature at 28.0-28.5 degrees C. During re-warming, the arterial blood was raised to 38.0 degrees C. Meanwhile, in the normothermic group, the arterial blood temperature was raised to a maximum of 37.0 degrees C to maintain NP temperature at 36.5-37.0 degrees C. Despite strict guidelines, some patients transgressed the temperature control limits. Two patients in the hypothermic group failed to reach an NP temperature of 28.5 degrees C. Twenty-six patients were managed entirely within the control limits. During rewarming in both groups, control of both arterial and NP temperature was well managed with only 25% patients breaching the respective upper control limits. During the re-warming phases of CPB, we were unable to make any correlation between NP temperature and arterial blood temperature, using body weight or body mass index as predictors. Based on the results obtained, we recommend that strict criteria should be implemented for the management of temperature during CPB, in conjunction with more emphasis being placed on monitoring arterial blood temperature as a marker of potential cerebral hyperthermia. We should, therefore, not rely on NP temperature measurement alone during CPB.

Aims: New markers to help stratify coronary atherosclerosis are needed. Although attempts have been made to differentiate active lesions from those that are stable, none of these has ever been formalised into a discriminatory score. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences between culprit ACS lesions and culprit stable angina lesions with intravascular ultrasound-derived virtual histology and to construct and validate a plaque score. Methods and results: Prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), we performed volumetric, intravascular ultrasound-derived virtual histology (IVUS-VH) analysis in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) culprit lesions (AC - n=70) and stable angina culprit lesions (SC - n=35). A direct statistical comparison of IVUS-VH data and multiple logistic regression analysis was undertaken. Four main factors were found to be associated (p1.05 and VH-TCFA presence. Calculation of each logistic regression coefficient and the equation produces an active plaque discrimination score with an AUC of 0.96 on receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Validation of the score in 50 independent plaques from the Thoraxcenter in Rotterdam revealed an AUC of 0.71, confirming continued diagnostic ability. Conclusions: We have found four features on IVUS and VH that can predict and discriminate ACS culprit lesion phenotypes from those that are clinically stable. Subsequently, we have constructed and validated the Liverpool Active Plaque Score based upon these features. It is hoped this score may help diagnose active coronary plaques, in the future, to help prevent major adverse cardiac events.

Objective: To identify current myocardial protection strategies for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) across the UK and Ireland. Methods: A questionnaire survey of 15 questions was sent to practising cardiac surgeonsbetween June and October 2002. The list of surgeons was obtained from the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland database and they were contacted by postal and electronic mail. Results: 118 (73.7%) out of 160 surgeons responded to the survey. 61 (51.7%) perform CABG on-pump (ONCAB) while 10 (8.5%) practice off-pump CABG (OPCAB). 47 (39.8%) perform either depending on individual cases. Of the 108 surgeons performing ONCAB, 91 (84.3%) use cardioplegia while 17 (15.7%) use cross-clamp and fibrillation techniques. Of those using cardioplegia, 76 (83.5%) use blood cardioplegia, 15 (19.7%) use warm-blood and 60 (78.9%) use cold-blood cardioplegia. 15(16.5%) use crystalloid cardioplegia. Retrograde cardioplegia is used by 23 (25.2%). We find an interesting variation of practice in relation to specifics like warm induction, graft cardioplegia, hot-shot, single cross-clamp, hypothermia and venting procedures. An overwhelming majority of surgeons performing OPCAB use the Octopus stabiliser (n = 44, 77.2%) with some others preferring the Genzyme system. Supplementary stabilisation is not commonly used. While most OPCAB surgeons use intracoronary shunts (n = 51), some prefer blockers (n = 9) and others use coronary sloops (n = 36). Ischaemic preconditioning is not commonly practised. Several surgeons have changed their practice of myocardial protection in the last 5 years (n = 45). Conclusions: This survey gives us an interesting insight into current myocardial protection practices in the UK and Ireland and may be useful for future reference.

To assess the impact of introducing a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) service on aortic valve surgical activity and outcomes.A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.University hospital of south Manchester.815 consecutive patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) or coronary artery bypass grafting plus AVR from January 2006 to December 2009. Fifty consecutive patients who underwent TAVI from January 2008 to December 2009.Aortic valve surgical activity in the 2years before the introduction of a TAVI service and in the 2years following. Outcomes following conventional aortic valve surgery and TAVI.In the 2years following the introduction of TAVI at this centre, conventional AVR activity has increased by 37% compared with an 8% increase nationally (p0.001). Compared with the 2years before TAVI there was no change in the mean logistic EuroSCORE (7.4 vs 7.9 p=0.16) or crude mortality rate (2.9% vs 2.1% p=0.48). Fifty high-risk patients underwent TAVI with a 30-day mortality rate of 0%. The mean logistic EuroSCORE of the TAVI patients was 25.3.TAVI is an emerging alternative to AVR in high-risk patients. Since the introduction of a TAVI service at this centre, conventional AVR activity has increased. Despite a trend of increasing mean logistic EuroSCORE indicating that more complex cases are being undertaken, there has been a non-significant reduction in the crude mortality rate. Offering a TAVI service has a positive impact on the volume of conventional AVR surgical activity.

To better describe the epidemiological causes of in-hospital death after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the present stent era.Systematic review of all in-hospital deaths following PCI in North West England from 2001 to 2003. Sixty-two in-hospital deaths (0.6%) were identified from 9,914 consecutive PCIs performed during the study period. The medical records of 4 patients were missing, leaving 58 patients to be reviewed with a standard data extraction tool to determine a circumstance and a mode of death. Medical records were reviewed at each center and cases were discussed at regional consensus meetings. All the collected data were validated by random cross-checking of data by exchange site visits. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for deaths related to procedural complications.Low output failure was the most common mode of death, occurring in 42 patients (72.4%). The circumstance of death was a procedural complication in 35 patients (60.3%), and preexisting acute cardiac disease in 23 patients (39.7%). Significant predictors of death from procedural complications were treatment of left main stem (odds ratio [OR] 13.8; p0.001) or graft lesions (OR 5.6; p0.001), and female sex (OR 3.0; p = 0.002).Procedural complications account for over half of all post-PCI deaths. We have identified several risk factors that may help reduce the number of deaths related to procedural complications.

We examined the outcomes of combined beating heart CABG and valve surgery (hybrid) and compared these to conventional CABG and valve surgery (conventional). Between April 1997 and March 2006, 388 patients received combined CABG and valve surgery. Patient characteristics and cardiac enzyme release were collected prospectively. To account for differences in case-mix we used logistic regression to develop a propensity score for hybrid group membership and then performed a propensity-matched analysis. One hundred and forty patients underwent hybrid operation with a mean logistic EuroSCORE of 13.5%, compared to 248 who underwent conventional operation with a mean logistic EuroSCORE of 10.9% (P=0.006). Eighty-two patients from each group were successfully matched. The mean logistic EuroSCORE after matching was similar between the groups (11.3% vs. 12.9%; P=0.48). The median number of grafts per patient was also similar, three in each group (P=0.98). Post-op CK-MB levels were found to be significantly lower for hybrid patients (44 U/I vs. 29.5 U/I; P=0.037). In-hospital mortality was not statistically different (9.8% vs. 6.1%; P=0.39). Survival at 5 years was 74% for hybrid and 71% for conventional group (P=0.92). CK-MB levels in patients receiving hybrid CABG and valve surgery are reduced compared to conventional CABG and valve surgery.

Objectives: To compare implications of using the logistic EuroSCORE and a locally derived model when analysing individual surgeon mortality outcomes. Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Setting: All NHS hospitals undertaking adult cardiac surgery in northwest England. Patients: 14 637 consecutive patients, April 2002 to March 2005. Main outcome measures: We have compared the predictive ability of the logistic EuroSCORE (uncalibrated), the logistic EuroSCORE calibrated for contemporary performance and a locally derived logistic regression model. We have used each to create risk-adjusted individual surgeon mortality funnel plots to demonstrate high mortality outcomes. Results: There were 458 (3.1%) deaths. The expected mortality and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve values were: uncalibrated EuroSCORE −5.8% and 0.80, calibrated EuroSCORE −3.1% and 0.80, locally derived model −3.1% and 0.82. The uncalibrated EuroSCORE plot showed one surgeon to have mortality above the northwest average, and no surgeon above the 95% control limit (CL). The calibrated EuroSCORE plot and the local model showed little change in surgeon ranking, but significant differences in identifying high mortality outcomes. Two of three surgeons above the 95% CL using the calibrated EuroSCORE revert to acceptable outcomes when the local model is applied but the finding is critically dependent on the calibration coefficient. Conclusions: The uncalibrated EuroSCORE significantly overpredicted mortality and is not recommended. Instead, the EuroSCORE should be calibrated for contemporary performance. The differences demonstrated in defining high mortality outcomes when using a model built for purpose suggests that the choice of risk model is important when analysing surgeon mortality outcomes.

Background The aim of this study was to document what proportion of patients referred for consideration of cardiac surgery are turned down, the reasons given for not operating and also to evaluate what happens to those patients who do not undergo surgery. Methods 382 elective patients referred for consideration of cardiac surgery to one of six consultant cardiac surgeons at Wythenshawe Hospital during a one year period from were included in the study. Data for those patients who underwent an operation were collected prospectively in a cardiac surgery database. The case notes of those patients who did not undergo an operation were reviewed to establish reasons given by surgeons for not operating. Patients were followed up to determine vital status at the end of the study period. Results 333 (87.2%) patients underwent an operation and 49 (12.8%) did not. 68% of patients turned down were thought to be too high-risk. 14% of patients did not fulfill symptomatic or prognostic criteria for surgery and in 8% of patients coronary artery surgery was thought ineffective due to poor distal vessels. 6% of patients declined an operation and 4% were thought to be more suitable for coronary angioplasty. Patients turned down for surgery had more renal dysfunction (p = 0.017), respiratory disease (p < 0.001) and peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.001), were more likely to have undergone prior heart surgery (p < 0.001) and to have poor left ventricular function (p = 0.003). Patients turned down for surgery had significantly higher EuroSCORE values compared to patients who underwent an operation: 5 versus 4 (p = 0.006). Freedom from death in the patients turned down for surgery at 1-, 6-, 12- and 24-months was 95.9%, 91.8%, 83.7% and 71.4% respectively, compared with 97.9%, 96.7%, 96.4% and 94.5% for the patients who underwent an operation (p < 0.001 [log-rank]). 14 of the 15 deaths that occurred in the turned down group occurred in the category considered too high-risk for surgery. Conclusion 12.8% of patients referred for consideration of cardiac surgery did not undergo an operation. Two thirds of patients not accepted for surgery were thought too high risk. Those patients who did not undergo an operation had a significantly worse mortality.

Objective: To assess the incidence and impact of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections on cardiac surgery outcomes and to identify adverse outcome traits. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from cardiac surgical and microbiology databases between April 2000 and March 2005. The overall and yearly incidence of positive MRSA cultures was examined along with the distribution of clinical infections and the associated mortality. Pre-operative patient characteristics were analysed between non-survivors and survivors of MRSA infections. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between pre-operative patient characteristics and in-hospitalmortalityin patients with MRSA.A comparisonof post-operativeoutcomesbetween non-survivors and survivors of MRSA infections was also carriedout and includedin the logisticregressionanalysis.Results:There were 319 patients with positive MRSA cultures duringthe study period with an overall incidence of 3.9%. Yearly incidence ranged from 2.4% to 5.2%. There were 120 carriers with pre-operative positive cultures of which 25 developedclinical surgicalinfections leaving 224 patients as the study group. Overall mortalityin patients with MRSA during the study period was 12.9%(41/319). Mortality in the study group was 17.8% (40/224). Mortality comparison between MRSA and non-MRSA mediastinitis was 26.7%(8/30) and 17.1%(13/76), respectively (p = 0.26). Mortality between MRSA and non-MRSA septicaemia was 46.9% (15/32) and 52.9% (37/70) (p = 0.57). Applying the logistic EuroSCORE to the MRSA patients revealed that non-survivors had a significantly higher pre-operative risk of 10.4% compared to survivors with a pre-operative risk of 6.2% (p = 0.003). Renal dysfunction and poor ejection fraction were found to be pre-operative factors associated with mortality in MRSA patients following the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Non-survivors had longer stays on intensive care, longer ventilation times, and were more likely to require support with balloon pumps and haemofiltration. MRSA septicaemia and length of ventilation were significantly associated with mortality in MRSA patients ahead of pre-operative characteristics. Conclusions: The incidence of MRSA is low, but carries a high mortality. MRSA septicaemia and mediastinitis have the highest associated mortality; however, this is not significantly different from non-MRSA infections. Patients with MRSAwho die have higher pre-operative risk and have a poorer post-operative course than survivors. # 2007 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a multivariate prediction model for in-hospital mortality following aortic valve replacement. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 4550 consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve replacement between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 2004 at four hospitals. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken, using the forward stepwise technique, to identify independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to assess the performance of the model. The statistical model was internally validated using the technique of bootstrap resampling, which involved creating 100 random samples, with replacement, of 70% of the entire dataset. The model was also validated on 816 consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve replacement between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2005 from the same four hospitals. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven (4.6%) in-hospital deaths occurred. Independent variables identified with in-hospital mortality are shown with relevant co-efficient values and p-values as follows: (1) age 70-75 years: 0.7046, p 85 years: 2.0339, p

Background The relationship between cardiac enzyme (CE) release following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and medium term outcome is unclear. We sought to determine the relationship between post-operative CE release and one-year survival following isolated CABG. Methods Over three years 3,024 consecutive patients underwent isolated CABG. Patient characteristics were prospectively recorded in a cardiac surgical database. CE release, taken as the highest single measurement recorded in the first 24 hours post-op, was abstracted from an electronic archive. All cause mortality was taken from a national registry of deaths. Results Data were complete for 2,860 (94.6%) patients. CK-MB isoenzyme (reference range 5–24 U/l) was recorded in 2,568 (89.8%), total CK in 292 (10.2%). CE release three or more times the upper limit of the reference range (ULR) were recorded in 498 (17.4%) patients, 163 (5.7%) patients had CE more than six times ULR. There were 122 deaths (4.3%). Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that CE release 3–6 times ULR (adjusted HR 2.1 [95% CI: 1.6 to 2.6], p = 0.002) and CE release six or more times the ULR (adjusted HR 5.0 [95% CI: 4.5 to 5.4], p < 0.001) were independently associated with increased one-year mortality. Conclusion Cardiac enzyme release following CABG is associated with increased one-year all-cause mortality. The definition of peri-operative myocardial infarction following CABG should include elevation of CK-MB three or more times the upper limit of normal.

Background: Little is known about the effect of surgical training on outcomes in thoracic surgery. The impact of surgeon training on outcomes following lung resection was examined, focusing on lobectomy as a marker operation. Methods: 328 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy at our institution between 1 October 2001 and 30 June 2003 were studied. Data were collected prospectively during the patient’s admission as part of routine clinical practice and validated by a designated audit officer. Patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes were compared between trainee led and consultant led operations. Results: In 115 cases (35.1%) the operation was performed by a trainee thoracic surgeon as the first operator. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. In-hospital mortality was similar for operations led by trainees and consultants (3.5% and 2.8%, respectively; p>0.99). Outcomes in the two groups did not differ significantly with respect to respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, neurological, chest infection, bleeding, and gastrointestinal complications. Survival rates at 1 year were 82.6% for procedures led by trainees compared with 81.7% for procedures led by consultants (p = 0.83). Conclusions: With appropriate supervision, trainee thoracic surgeons can perform lobectomies safely without compromising short or intermediate term patient outcome.

Objective Patients who have prolonged stay in intensive care unit (ICU) are associated with adverse outcomes. Such patients have cost implications and can lead to shortage of ICU beds. We aimed to develop a preoperative risk prediction tool for prolonged ICU stay following coronary artery surgery (CABG). Methods 5,186 patients who underwent CABG between 1st April 1997 and 31st March 2002 were analysed in a development dataset. Logistic regression was used with forward stepwise technique to identify preoperative risk factors for prolonged ICU stay; defined as patients staying longer than 3 days on ICU. Variables examined included presentation history, co-morbidities, catheter and demographic details. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was also recorded. The prediction tool was tested on validation dataset (1197 CABG patients between 1st April 2003 and 31st March 2004). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to assess the performance of the prediction tool. Results 475(9.2%) patients had a prolonged ICU stay in the development dataset. Variables identified as risk factors for a prolonged ICU stay included renal dysfunction, unstable angina, poor ejection fraction, peripheral vascular disease, obesity, increasing age, smoking, diabetes, priority, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, and use of CPB. In the validation dataset, 8.1% patients had a prolonged ICU stay compared to 8.7% expected. The ROC curve for the development and validation datasets was 0.72 and 0.74 respectively. Conclusion A prediction tool has been developed which is reliable and valid. The tool is being piloted at our institution to aid resource management.

The aim of the study was to examine midterm survival in patients who required prolonged recovery in the intensive care unit. The 5,186 consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary surgery between April 1997 and March 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified as having prolonged (> 3 days) or normal (≤ 3 days) stay in the intensive care unit. Patient records were matched to the National Health Service Strategic Tracing Service which records all-cause mortality in the UK. Case-mix was controlled for by constructing a propensity score from core patient characteristics, which was included along with the comparison variable in a multivariable analysis of outcome. Prolonged intensive care unit stay was recorded in 475 (9.16%) patients. Mortality was 9.14% during the study period with a total follow-up of 19,618 patient-years (mean, 3.8 years). Adjusted 5-year survival was 78.0% for prolonged intensive care unit stay vs. 90.7% for normal stay, with an adjusted hazard ratio for midterm mortality of 2.6 ( p < 0.001). Midterm mortality was significantly higher in patients with a prolonged intensive care unit stay following coronary bypass.

The role of off-pump surgery in high respiratory risk patients remains unclear. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of off-pump surgery on high respiratory risk patients.To achieve comparative groups, a five digit propensity score matching with 18 pre-operative variables was performed on 4406 consecutive CABG patients operated between January 2000 and September 2003. Respiratory risk stratification was performed with the following variables: (1) FEV(1)65% of predicted, (2) patients75 years old, (3) history of current smoking, (4) body mass index more than 40 kg/m(2) and (5) NYHA class IV dyspnoea in combination with current respiratory medication. The presence of two or more variables defined high risk. The primary end point was post-operative ventilation time. We also compared alveolar arterial gradients (A-a gradient) on admission to ITU, 2 and 4h using Friedman rank time analysis.We matched 1353 off-pump patients with 1353 unique on-pump patients. Respiratory risk stratified selection resulted in 73 off-pump and 55 on-pump high-risk patients. In the off-pump group, four (5.5%) patients had more than two selection criteria, compared to one (1.8%) for on-pump patients (p=0.29). The off-pump group had more patients with FEV165% compared to on-pump: 65 (89.0%) versus 40 (72.7%); p=0.017. The median ventilation time was significantly shorter for off-pump patients (7h [IQR: 5-14] vs 12h [IQR: 7-18], p=0.003). In the off-pump group, three (4.1%) patients had a ventilation time48 h compared to eight (14.6%) in the on-pump group, p=0.037. A-a gradient measurements on admission to ITU were lower in off-pump patients (median: 182.3 [IQR: 126.6-216.2]) compared to on-pump patients (median: 194.7 [IQR 139.7-245.4], p=0.064).Off-pump surgery offers benefit to high respiratory risk patients by reducing post-operative ventilation time. Off-pump patients also have lower A-a gradients in the early post-operative period but this failed to reach significance.