Lipid peroxidation and vitamin E in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the oxidant/antioxidant status within the ex vivo human coronary endarterectomy samples. METHODS: To achieve this, we measured products of lipid oxidation (malondialdehyde, 7-ketocholesterol), lipids (cholesterol, cholesteryl esters) and vitamin E in endarterectomy samples. RESULTS: Content of malondialdehyde in the plaque ranged from 0.23 to 37.36 microg/g. Unesterified cholesterol content ranged from 0.30 to 1.94 mg/g. It was 9.04+/-4.32% of total cholesterol. Total cholesterol content ranged from 1.73 to 23.69 mg/g. Cholesteryl palmitate content ranged from 0.57 to 19.10 mg/g, which is 11.43-60.86% of the total esters (mean+/-SD 40.27+/-18.42%). Cholesteryl oleate content ranged from 0.24 to 5.76 mg/g, being 9.97-21.81% of total esters (mean+/-SD 14.35+/-4.51%). Cholesteryl linoleate content ranged from 1.05 to 8.21 mg/g, being 17.84-45.15% of total esters (mean+/-SD 30.78+/-11.69%). Cholesteryl arachidonate content ranged from 0.51 to 4.20 mg/g, which is 7.56-22.87% of total esters (mean+/-SD 14.60+/-5.60%). The cholesteryl linoleate/cholesteryl oleate ratio (CL/CO) ranged from 1.01 to 4.33. Content of 7-ketocholesterol in the plaque ranged from 0.0 to 577.5 ng/g of wet weight. The 7-ketocholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was 0.003+/-0.003% (range from 0.0% to 0.008%). The 7-ketocholesterol/unesterified cholesterol ratio was 0.024+/-0.023% (range from 0.0% to 0.066%). The plaque content of vitamin E ranged from 0.0 to 40.9 microg/g of wet weight. CONCLUSION: The present study, comprising measurements of lipids, products of lipid peroxidation and vitamin E in 12 human coronary endarterectomy samples, lends the evidence for ongoing lipid peroxidation within an atherosclerotic lesion.

Primary OPCAB as a strategy for acute coronary syndrome and acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Conventional coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) carries higher mortality and morbidity for patients undergoing surgery during acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate potential benefits of avoiding CPB by instead performing off-pump CAB (OPCAB) during surgery on patients in ACS. METHODS: Among 624 patients who underwent OPCAB between January 1999 and June 2001, 143 underwent surgery during ACS (group 1). The ACS patients in group 1 were divided into 2 subgroups: 66 underwent surgery during acute myocardial infarction (AMI group) and 77 during unstable angina classified as class III or IV according to the Braumwald classification (unstable coronary artery disease [CAD] group). Group 2 (the elective CAD group) consisted of 481 patients who underwent isolated elective OPCAB during the same time period. RESULTS: Overall 30-day mortality was 4.9% (n = 7) for the ACS group and 0.83% (n = 4) for the elective CAD group (P < .0001). Differences between groups were found in use of inotropes, intraaortic balloon pump, and subsequent conversion of OPCAB to CPB (P < .0001, P < .01, and P < .03, respectively), as well as use of blood transfusion (P < .0003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis for 641 patients revealed ACS (P < .015), AMI (P < .019), renal failure (P < .017), and left ventricle aneurysm (P < .028) as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in ACS reoperation (P = .02), whereas in AMI renal failure (P = .02) appeared to be an independent risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: OPCAB is a valuable treatment strategy in ACS patients; however, it carries significant mortality and morbidity. Careful preselection and timing of intervention are required in order for patients to fully benefit from the OPCAB strategy.

Dysfunction of left ventricle as an indication for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass carries significant risk for patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2000, 240 patients underwent OPCAB. The patients were retrospectively divided into 2 groups with regard to LV function. Group 1 consisted of 90 patients with ejection fraction (EF) <35% and grou p 2 of 150 patients without severe LV impairment and EF >35%. Patients were compared for preoperative risk factors, perioperative mortality, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Preoperative expected mortality according to EuroSCORE was higher in group 1, 5.95, compared with group 2, 2.66 (P =.0005). A few preoperative risk factors were more common in group 1: urgent operation (P =.00001), unstable angina (P =.0018), Canadian Cardiovascular Society class (P =.001), myocardial infarction (P =.0001), and peripheral arteriopathy (P =.0006). Mean number of grafts was 1.51 in group 1 and 1.55 in group 2 with the same internal thoracic artery utilization. Perioperative drainage, anesthesia and intubation time, transfusion rate, and use of inotropes were comparable. Actual, nonadjusted mortality was 2.5% in group 1 and 1.4% in group 2 (P = not significant). Overall rates of postoperative complications were comparable; only use of an intraoperative balloon pump was more frequent in group 1 (P =.006). Postoperative stay was shorter in group 1 (P equals). CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump CABG for patients with LV impairment is associated with surgical outcome similar to that among patients with normal LV function, in spite of the presence of unfavorable risk factors. Off-pump surgery with selective anterior (including right main) arterial revascularization can be indicated in the presence of poor LV function.