Predictive Value of QT Interval for Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

ABSTRACT Introduction: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (poAF) is a common complication of coronary artery bypass grafting, and its reasons are still the subject of research. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether QT interval is related to new onset of poAF occurrence. Methods: This study included 167 patients undergoing elective isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) surgery. Patients were divided into two groups as poAF (+) and poAF (-), according to the development of poAF, and the results of the measurements were compared between the groups. Results: PoAF was detected in 37 (22.1%) of 167 patients who underwent OPCAB surgery. When QT interval measurements were compared, preoperative and postoperative QT and corrected QT interval (QTc) values were significantly longer in the group with atrial fibrillation. Mean values of preoperative QT were 407.5±27.1 in the poAF (-) group vs. 438.5±48.5 in the poAF (+) group (P<0.001). Mean values of preoperative QTc were 419.1±14.5 in the poAF (-) group vs. 448.5±26.6 in the poAF (+) group (P<0.001). Mean values of postoperative QT were 416.3±48.3 in the poAF (-) group vs. 439.2±45.8 in the poAF (+) group (P=0.005). And mean values of postoperative QTc were 419.8±12.5 in the poAF (-) group vs. 452.0±23.3 in the poAF (+) group (P<0.001). Conclusion: QT interval measurement may be a new parameter in predicting poAF development after OPCAB surgery.

Predictive value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio for long-term cardiovascular event following coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Objective: To investigate the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which have not yet been well described, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: The records of 751 consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG between January 2008 and January 2010 were retrospectively enrolled and stratified according to quartiles of preoperative NLR. At 7.8-year follow-up, MACCE was considered as an endpoint. Results: Overall MACCE was 11.6% of all cases. Long-term myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, stroke and cardiovascular mortality were found associated with the upper NLR quartile (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.005, P<0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, NLR on admission remained an independent predictor of long-term MACCE (OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.026-1.151; P=0.004), in all EuroSCORE risk groups (P<0.001; P<0.001; P=0.029). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed an NLR cut-off value of 4.32 predicting MACCE. Conclusion: NLR is a useful and readily available predictive marker of long-term MACCE following CABG, independent of the EuroSCORE.

Are the early postoperative outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly women worse compared to men's?

Abstract Objective: To investigate the impact of gender difference in early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Methods: Between October 2009 and December 2013, a total of 223 elderly patients (aged 70 or older) undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their gender. The patients' medical records were collected, their baseline preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed, and the effect of gender difference in the early postoperative outcomes was analyzed. Results: Group 1 (female patients) and Group 2 (male patients) consisted of 71 and 152 patients, respectively. Mean age of patients was 74.4±3.6 years (range: 70-84 years). The level of EuroSCORE I, the incidence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in Group 1, while the rate of smoking was significantly higher in Group 2. Mean postoperative intubation time, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were longer in female patients than in male patients, but these differences were not statistically significant. No statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of the transfusion of blood products was observed. The rates of in-hospital mortality and major postoperative complications were statistically similar between the two groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the female gender was not associated with worse early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.