Revascularisation strategy for diabetic multivessel coronary arteriopathy.

Multivessel diffuse coronary arteriopathy is the hallmark of chronic diabetic patients. The ideal method of revascularising this group of patients is controversial. This review examines the various modalities available in the revascularisation of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients. Various trials have been conducted to compare the effectiveness of surgical and percutaneous methods of revascularisation. Most of the important trials like BARI, CABRI, EMORY and Duke's database are critically analysed and a meaningful practical strategy to manage this difficult subgroup of patients is outlined. The recommendations may change after a few years if the new coated stents prove their worth.

Sutureless patch repair of post-myocardial infarction left ventricular rupture.

Ventricular rupture following myocardial infarction is a serious clinical problem with a high mortality. A 60-year-old man with left ventricular rupture and cardiac tamponade following myocardial infarction was managed successfully by emergency surgery. An onlay patch of Teflon held in place by an adhesive without any sutures was used to repair the ruptured myocardium.

Off-pump versus on-pump CABG: a comparison.

BACKGROUND: The off-pump technique reduces the complications of coronary artery bypass grafting performed with extracorporeal circulatory assistance. This hypothesis was tested by analyzing the results of 53 patients operated with and 48 without cardiopulmonary bypass by a single surgeon (ARR) from February 2001 to September 2001. METHODS AND RESULTS: The angiograms of all the patients scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were carefully analyzed and a plan for revascularization made. After sternotomy and inspection of the vessels, a decision was taken to perform the surgery on- or off-pump. All the demographic, operative and postoperative data were prospectively collected and analyzed statistically. Major end-points, such as mortality, perioperative infarction and organ dysfunction, were not different between the two techniques. The incidence of renal and pulmonary dysfunction was similar. There were no neurological problems in either group. In contrast to many reports. bleeding complications and the use of blood products were the same in both groups (1.6+/-2.3 in the on-pump group and 0.8+/-1.7 in off-pump group: p=0.06). The only important difference between the two groups was the incidence of low cardiac output and use of inotropes, being more common in the on-pump group. CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is as safe as that done on-pump. The claims of a lower incidence of organ dysfunction and blood product use in the off-pump group were not substantiated in this study. The incidence of low cardiac output and use of inotropes was significantly lower in the off-pump group.

Techniques and follow-up results of coronary artery by-pass grafting with special reference to Indian subset of patients.

Coronary artery by-pass surgery is fast becoming the most commonly performed major operation even in our country. Coronary heart disease in Indian patients has a lot of peculiarity which distinguishes it from the western population. Indian patients are younger in age, more often diabetic and hyperlipidaemic. Smoking and obesity are not as common as in the west. The coronary arteries are smaller in diameter and are affected diffusely with the atherosclerotic process. These factors make the operation technically more difficult. The techniques have been perfected to a very high level and are being performed in India with results comparable to the western world. The average operative mortality for coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) is around 2%.