ABSTRACT
We encountered 3 cases of protein S deficiency accompanied by coronary artery disease (CAD). None of the patients had been given diagnoses of congenital protein S deficiency prior to referral to our department. Our examination revealed three-vessel CAD with distal lesions. CAD was of early onset in two patients in their 40 s. In 2 of the 3 patients, off-pump coronary artery bypass was performed, and continuous heparin infusion was postoperatively changed to oral warfarin. These patients had a favorable postoperative course and graft patency was maintained. In the third patient, who underwent repeated percutaneous coronary revascularization, in whom coronary artery bypass was contraindicated, oral warfarin alleviated the symptoms of CAD. No disease progression was observed in coronary angiography performed at the one-year follow-up examination.
ABSTRACT
Thromboembolic events after cardiac surgery, including ischemic strokes, can be devastating complications, however only a few studies manifest the platelet activation and coagulation state after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). Platelet-derived microparticles (PMP) are observed as released vesicles from platelets following platelet activation, and are believed to play a role in some clinical diseases because of their procoagulant activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypercoagulant state after OPCAB using PMP and other indices. Data were obtained from 15 patients (aged 69±7 years; only men) undergoing elective OPCAB surgery. One hundred milligrams of aspirin were used as postoperative antiplatelet drugs. Preoperative risk factors, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, transfusion and blood samples of CBC, PMP, βTG, PF 4, platelet aggregation, FDP, D-dimer and TAT of pre- and postoperative days (POD) 3 and 7 were studied. There was no difference between the PMP level with or without risk factor. The PMP levels of POD 3 and 7 were significantly higher compared to the preoperative levels (pre-op, POD 3, 7:9.1±5.1, 15.2±10.3, 28.4±24.5/10<sup>4</sup>plt respectively, <i>p</i><0.05). The levels of FDP, D-dimer and TAT rose significantly on POD 3 and 7 and significantly correlated with the PMP levels. Beta TG, PF 4 and platelet aggregation did not change after OPCAB surgery, and no correlation was found with the PMP levels. Elevated levels of PMP, TAT, FDP and D-dimer persisted until POD 7 and suggested not only platelet activation, but also activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic system. The findings suggest that 100mg of aspirin may not be adequate for the inhibition of platelet activation after OPCAB surgery.