A comparative study of stored arterial versus venous blood collected using the acute normovolemic hemodilution method in coronary artery bypass grafting patients in Iran.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, arterial and venous blood was collected from patients who were candidates for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); the blood was stored for 28 days and cellular, biomechanical, and hematological changes in blood were compared to determine whether stored arterial blood is superior to stored venous blood. METHODS: The present follow-up comparative study included 60 patients >18 years of age, with hemoglobin >14 mg/dl and ejection fraction >40% who were candidates for CABG. After induction of anesthesia, 250 ml of arterial or venous blood was drawn from patients (arterial blood group and venous blood group). Laboratory blood samples were taken at specified times from the collected blood and re-injected into the patients after CABG. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), bicarbonate (HCO3), and glucose values at several time points between the groups. Other parameters such as urea and creatinine did not show any significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-eight days of storage can have a negative effect on some of the cellular, biochemical, and hematological components of arterial and venous blood; however, the quality of stored arterial blood and venous blood does not differ significantly.

Report of a Case with Intraventricular Cardiac Hydatid Cyst with Coronary Artery Disease and Multiple Hepatic Hydatid Cysts.

Despite the prevalence of hydatid cyst in humans, its occurrence in the heart is rare. The clinical signs of the mentioned cyst in the heart are diverse, which makes its diagnosis challenging. In addition, the cardiac hydatidosis is diagnosed late as this disease progresses gradually. In this report, the cases discussed of a case with intraventricular cardiac hydatid cyst with coronary artery disease and multiple hepatic hydatid cysts. After diagnosis, the patient underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and the cyst was successfully removed. Considering the probability of heart involvement in endemic regions, devoting due attention to the disease as well as performing faster diagnosis of the disease can play a significant role in reducing its complications.

Puzzle game-based learning: a new approach to promote learning of principles of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Since learning with high educational quality requires an advanced intervention. This study seeks to answer how many puzzles game-based training can improve knowledge and cognitive function of surgical technology students in CABG surgery and its sequence, as well as the tools and equipment used in each stage of surgery and the sequence of their preparation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out as a quasi-experimental single-group pre-test-post-test, during which, after designing a puzzle game including various stages of surgery (from the preparation of the patient for surgical sutures and the necessary equipment to perform each stage), 18 people from third-year surgical technology students who met the inclusion criteria were entered in the study by convenience sampling method and based on the sample size determined using a similar study and they participated in the test of knowledge and cognitive function, that the validity and reliability were measured, before the intervention and 14 days after the intervention (using a puzzle game). Data were analyzed using descriptive and Wilcoxon statistical tests. RESULTS: After the withdrawal of 2 people, 15 person (93.80 per cent) of the students were female, the average age of students was 21.87 ± 0.71 years, and 50% (8 people) of them were 22 years old. Also, the average score of the end-of-semester exam of the heart surgery technology course was 15.19 ± 2.30 (the lowest score was 11.25, and the highest score was 18.63), and the score of 43.80% (7 people) of them were in the range of 15.01-17.70, and their average of grade point average was 17.31 ± 1.10 (the lowest grade point average is 15 and the highest grade point average is 19.36) and grade point average 75% (11 people) of students were 16-18. The average scores of knowledge(5.75 ± 1.65 vs. 2.68 ± 0.79) and cognitive performance(6.31 ± 2.57 vs. 2.00 ± 1.09) of students in the post-intervention phase were significantly higher than the pre-intervention phase (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that the use of puzzle games in CABG surgery training led to a significant improvement in the knowledge and cognitive performance of surgical technology students regarding the stages of CABG surgery and its sequence, as well as the tools and equipment used in each stage of surgery and the sequence of their preparation.

Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for prediction of major complications following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

INTRODUCTION: The Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) have recently been reported as potentially useful indicators of inflammation. In this study, the authors investigated their predictive role for postoperative complications of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG). METHOD: This study was conducted on the medical records of patients who had undergone isolated CABG in 2019-2020 in Isfahan, Iran. The baseline clinical characteristics were obtained from medical records. The diagnosis of postoperative Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) was defined based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guideline. The postoperative bleeding amount was measured from the total chest tube output during the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission after surgery. NLR and PLR were measured by dividing the neutrophil and platelet counts by the lymphocyte count, respectively. All data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. RESULTS: Of 356 patients, data of 280 patients, including 219 males and 61 females, were recruited. The mean age among all patients was 63.78±9.07 years. There were no significant differences between the bleeding group and non-bleeding group regarding NLR (2.33(1.89-2.73) vs. 2.20(1.63-3)) and PLR (119.26(94.41-146.39) vs. 110.26(82.13-136.34)) (p=0.742, p=0.228 respectively). NLR and PLR were significantly higher in AKI-positive patients (P< 0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). Only NLR showed the potential ability to predict postoperative AKI in the crude model (P<0.001) based on the regression tests. Moreover, no significant correlation was seen between both NLR and PLR and hospital stay time, ICU stay time, and in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: The authors found that an increased NLR is associated with a higher risk for AKI after CABG. The authors also found no significant correlations between NLR and PLR with bleeding, hospital stay, ICU stay, and mortality.

Using Music for the Prevention of Delirium in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of music on preventing delirium after coronary artery bypass grafting, to analyze vital signs and blood gas parameters, and to determine risk factors affecting delirium. DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial. SETTING: A single-center, tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 200 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery from April 2020 to April 2021. INTERVENTIONS: A one-hour session of new-age music was administered twice a day postoperatively for 7 days using a headphone. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit before and after each session. Vital signs and blood gas parameters were compared to evaluate the effect of music. All assessments were conducted blindly by a different researcher. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twelve participants who were delirium-positive were in the control group, and there were 3 in the case group, which suggested a statistically significant effect of music in preventing delirium (p = 0.016). The mean age of patients was 64.7 ± 7.9 years old in the control group and 62.2 ± 7.5 years old in the case group. There was a significant difference among the control and case groups in terms of the surgery time; surgery time in the control group was significantly lower than in the case group (242.4 ± 42.3 v 261.6 ± 48.9, respectively; p = 0.03 < 0.05). Blood pressure and heart rate in the case group were lower, similar to the respiratory rate and venous blood gas parameters; Blood pressure differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05); CONCLUSION: Relaxation music, including bird, water, and wind, significantly prevents delirium after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Comparison of Pulmonary Emboli Management Between Pulmonary Emboli Response Team and the Conventional Method: The First Study From Iran.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) for intermediate-high risk and high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) patients. METHODS: This single-blind clinical trial was performed in 2019-2021, evaluating patients with intermediate-high risk and high risk of PE. Patients in the intervention group were managed by the PERT team, and treatment plans were implemented as soon as possible. Patients in the other group received conventional PE treatments based on the hospital protocols. We compared the primary outcome of short-term mortality between the 2 groups and secondary outcomes, including right ventricle indices, hospital length-of-stay, time to decision, 30-day and in-hospital bleeding. RESULTS: Data of 74 patients were analyzed. We found no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding short-term mortality (P = 0.642), bleeding, and other complications. However, the length-of-stay and time to decision were significantly lower in patients treated by the PERT team (P < 0.001 for both). Further evaluations revealed that patients in the intervention group had a more significant reduction in the right ventricle size and systolic pulmonary pressure compared with the control group (P = 0.015, P = 0.039, respectively). In addition, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and fractional area change increased more in the intervention group (P = 0.023, P = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The PERT team led to significantly less time to make decisions, and it was able to select patients for advanced treatments more appropriately. Due to these facts, patients treated by PERT had significantly lower hospitalization duration and better right ventricle indices compared to controls.

Sleep Quality after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Comparing Pulsatile and Nonpulsatile Pump Flow.

Poor postoperative sleep quality is a common problem in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of pulsatile and nonpulsatile pump flow on sleep quality of these patients. In this clinical trial, 52 patients undergoing on pump CABG surgery with the roller pump were randomly divided into two equal groups of 26 patients: group 1 using pulsatile pump flow and group 2 nonpulsatile pump flow while the heart was arrested. Sleep score of both groups was evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire 2 days before operation and 1 month after operation, and they were compared with each other. Analysis was performed with SPSS software version 22 (SPSS for Windows Inc., Chicago, IL) using the independent t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher exact test. Both groups were the same in demographic characteristics and risk factors such as age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, body mass index, and preoperative ejection fraction. Operation data showed no difference between two groups considering cardiopulmonary bypass time and cardiac arrest time. Preoperative sleep quality score of both groups had no significant difference (p = .84). One month postoperative sleep quality score of the pulsatile group was significantly better than that of the nonpulsatile group (p = .04). Using pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass can effectively decrease postoperative sleep disorders in comparison to nonpulsatile flow.

Iranian Society of Cardiac Surgeons COVID-19 task force version II, restarting elective surgeries.

Given the nature of heart disease and the importance of continuing heart surgery during the pandemic and its aftermath and in order to provide adequate safety for the surgical team and achieve the desired result for patients, as well as the optimal use of ICU beds, the medical team, blood, blood products, and personal protective equipment, it is essential to change the usual approach during the pandemic. There are still a lot of evidences and experiences needed to produce the perfect protocol. Some centers may have a special program for their centers during this period of epidemics that can be respected and performed. Generally, in pandemic conditions, the use of non-surgical approaches is preferred if similar outcomes can be obtained.

Effect of an educational intervention based on BASNEF model on treatment adherence after coronary artery bypass surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is the most effective treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Adherence to treatment after CABG surgery is very important. One of the educational models used in this regard is the BASNEF (Belief, Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Enabling Factors) model. The present study aimed to assess the effect of an educational intervention based on BASNEF model on adherence to treatment in patients after CABG surgery. METHODS: The present study was a randomized clinical trial. In this study, 72 patients who had undergone CABG surgery participated in the two intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group took part in 4 40-minute educational sessions based on BASNEF model after discharge. The patients in both groups completed the Modanloo Adherence to Treatment Questionnaire (MATQ) and a researcher-made BASNEF model questionnaire before the intervention, after the educational intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square test, Man-Whitney test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Mauchly's sphericity test was used for testing sphericity and the Greenhouse-Geisser correction was used in the case of lack of sphericity. All P-values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The total score of the MATQ and its subscales had significantly improved in the intervention group after the intervention compared with the control group (P < 0.050). In addition, the mean scores of the model constructs (knowledge, attitude, behavior intention, subjective norms, and enabling factors) had significantly improved after the intervention in the intervention group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.050). CONCLUSION: The educational intervention based on BASNEF model improved adherence to treatment in patients after CABG surgery. Moreover, the model constructs improved in the intervention group in comparison with the control group after the intervention.

The value of epicardial adipose tissue thickness for outcome prediction of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

BACKGROUND: The significant association between epicardial adipose tissue and cardiovascular risk factors as well as outcome of ischemic heart diseases has been recently proposed. We determined the association between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and in-hospital as well as 3-month outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 78 consecutive patients who underwent CABG in our heart center. Associations between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and in-hospital as well as 3-month outcome after CABG were measured by logistic regression and value of epicardial fat thickness evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Patients in-intensive care unit (ICU) suffered a variety of events, which many of them were insignificant, but 23 events (29.4%) of 78 were considered as important. The most frequent complication occurred in ICU was atrial fibrillation (9%). The frequency of 3-month complications was 6.4%, including 3.8% rehospitalization, 1.3% reoperation, and 1.3% cardiac death. Ninety-day mortality rate was 1.3%. Mean epicardial adipose tissue thickness was significantly higher in those with in-ICU complications than those without complication (7.64 ± 2.80 mm vs. 6.16 ± 2.29 mm, P = 0.015); however, the difference for 90-day complications was statistically nonsignificant. According to ROC curve analysis, measuring epicardial adipose tissue thickness could moderately predict in-ICU complication (area under the curve = 0.65 8, 95% confidence interval: 0.536-0.779, P = 0.017). The best cut-off point of this adipose tissue thickness for predicting in-ICU complication was 6.5 mm with sensitivity of 65.9% and specificity of 58.8%. CONCLUSION: Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is a useful predicting parameter for in-ICU complications after CABG.

A rare case of takotsubo syndrome led to intra-myocardial dissection and left ventricular apical aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is a reversible left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction occurred mostly in post-menopausal women after an emotional or physical stress. The exact mechanism has yet to be found. In clinical settings, TS should be differentiated from myocardial infarction (MI) due to totally different management protocols. Several diagnostic criteria are available, but mayo clinic criteria is the most widely used. Prognosis of TS is favorable and the recurrence and mortality rates are low. Treatment is mostly supportive and after a few weeks, most of patients' electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiographic findings will be normalized, though to its benign course, TS can cause some complications. Intra-myocardial dissection and LV apical aneurysm, as a complication of TS has never been reported yet and was just announced in rare cases of MI. CASE REPORT: Our patient was a 32-year-old aphasic woman referring with palpitation and chest discomfort. Further examinations after exclusion of MI revealed TS leading to LV apical aneurysm and intra-myocardial dissection. CONCLUSION: Intra-myocardial dissection should be considered as one of the rarest TS complications. Several studies are necessary for defining the exact pathophysiological mechanisms.

Preventive Use of Ascorbic Acid For Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is one of the most frequent complications and a major risk of morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Antioxidants such as vitamin C are used for prevention of this arrhythmia. Different results of studies have been reported, but most of them have shown efficiency of vitamin C in prophylaxis of postoperative AF. We tried to examine this efficacy with larger sample size. METHODS: Three hundred and fourteen on pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery alone. Patients were divided into two groups: The intervention group received vitamin C (N = 160) and the control group did not receive any (N = 154). Intervention group was administered two grams of vitamin C intravenously (IV) 24 hours preoperatively, 500 mg every 12 hours IV for 48 hours in ICU, and 500 mg every 12 hours PO for 48 hours in ward. Continuous monitoring in ICU and three times a day ECG was used for AF detection. The two groups were compared. RESULTS: The two groups were matched in terms of age, sex, LA size, ejection fraction, functional class, and TSH level. Of the patients, 244 were male. Mean age was 62 years (40-84 years) in both groups. M/F ratio was four in both groups. Functional class and ejection fraction were the same in both groups. There was no mean TSH level difference. AF occurrence in vitamin C group was 7.6 % and in control group was 7.8 %. There was no difference in ICU or hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic use of vitamin C does not further reduce postoperative atrial fibrillation in on pump CABG patients.

Does topical tranexamic acid reduce postcoronary artery bypass graft bleeding?

BACKGROUND: Postoperative bleeding is a common problem in cardiac surgery. We tried to evaluate the effect of topical tranexamic acid (TA) on reducing postoperative bleeding of patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six isolated primary CABG patients were included in this clinical trial. They were divided blindly into two groups; Group 1, patients receiving 1 g TA diluted in 100 ml normal saline poured into mediastinal cavity before closing the chest and Group 2, patients receiving 100 ml normal saline at the end of operation. First 24 and 48 h chest tube drainage, hemoglobin decrease and packed RBC transfusion needs were compared. RESULTS: Both groups were the same in baseline characteristics including gender, age, body mass index, ejection fraction, clamp time, bypass time, and operation length. During the first 24 h postoperatively, mean chest tube drainage in intervention group was 567 ml compared to 564 ml in control group (P = 0.89). Mean total chest tube drainage was 780 ml in intervention group and 715 ml in control group (P = 0.27). There was no significant difference in both mean hemoglobin decrease (P = 0.26) and packed RBC transfusion (P = 0.7). Topical application of 1 g TA diluted in 100 ml normal saline does not reduce postoperative bleeding of isolated on-pump CABG surgery. CONCLUSION: We do not recommend topical usage of 1 g TA diluted in 100 ml normal saline for decreasing blood loss in on-pump CABG patients.

The effect of incentive spirometry on arterial blood gases after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

BACKGROUND: After coronary artery bypass surgery, pulmonary complications and oxygenation disorders are common, which have an important role in mortality and morbidity. Different methods are used for the improvement of pulmonary function and oxygenation, of which incentive spirometry (IS) has been investigated here. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of IS on arterial blood gases after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a clinical trial. Fifty patients who were candidates for CABG were chosen. The patients had been allocated to two random groups of intervention and control. The intervention was done through IS. These two groups were compared for the arterial blood gases' preoperative level, and the levels on first (after extubation), second, and third postoperative days. RESULTS: The study findings showed that on the third postoperative day, there was a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the mean amount of arterial blood oxygen (82.3 ± 4.7 vs. 72.7 ± 7.1, respectively, P = 0.02), arterial blood carbon dioxide (36.8 ± 2 vs. 43.7 ± 3.2, respectively, P = 0.007), and oxygen saturation (96.8 ± 1.4 vs. 90.5 ± 1.4, respectively, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation shows that using IS is significantly effective in the improvement of blood arterial gas parameters.

Multiple right coronary artery fistulas to coronary sinus: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Coronary arteriovenous fistula is a rare congenital or acquired abnormal connection between a coronary artery and any of the great vessels or any of the heart chambers. Most of them are diagnosed during routine coronary angiography. CASE REPORT: This case report illustrates a successful surgical ligating of multiple right coronary artery and circumflex artery fistulas to coronary sinus. CONCLUSION: According to our experience and literature review, it can be concluded that to prevent potential complications in various cases of coronary arteriovenous fistula, early surgical management, just after their condition has been diagnosed, is the best choice.

Association of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Genotype, Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and Saphenous Vein Graft Atherosclerosis in Iranian Patients

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate possible interactions among Angiotensin-I converting enzyme genotype, insertion/deletion polymorphism and atherosclerosis of vein grafts in Iranian patients, and characterize their clinical and demographic profile. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery more than five years ago, were included for angiographic analysis. Atherosclerosis was determined by quantitative angiography and adjusted Gensini score. The gene angiotensin converting enzyme I/D polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients participated in this study. Eighty-four patients were male. The frequency distribution of DD, ID and II polymorphism were 23.6%, 62.7% and 13.7% respectively. There were no differences among genotypic groups in age, sex, number of risk factors, number of vein grafts and months since bypass surgery. According to adjusted Gensini score [0.18±0.12 (II) vs. 0.11±0.09 (ID) and 0.1±0.09 (DD) P=0.021] the II genotype was associated with severity of vein graft atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: Although there are conflicting results about gene angiotensin converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and the degree of venous bypass graft degeneration, this study suggests an association between ACE genotype II and atherosclerosis of saphenous vein grafts, however, large samples considering clinical, demographic and ethnic profile are necessary to confirm these results.

Rare post-operative complications of large mediastinal tumor resection.

BACKGROUND: There are some reports in the literature, which suggest that cardiac tamponade drainage may transiently affect systolic function and also cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We did not find any reports of acute ventricular failure and ARDS secondary to mediastinal tumor resection without tamponade. CASE REPORT: Here we report a 48-year-old woman presenting with massive pericardial effusion without tamponade in whom tumor was resected through median sternotomy using cardiopulmonary bypass. ARDS and acute heart failure were two rare complications that happened at the end of the operation secondary to a sudden decompression of the heart from tumor pressure. CONCLUSION: ARDS and acute heart failure are two rare complications, which can happen after large mediastinal tumor resection.

Effects of single antegrade hot shot in comparison with no hot shot administration during coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Superior results will be achieved from cardiac surgery by minimizing the effect of ischemia/reperfusion injury during cross-clamping of the aorta. Different cardioplegia solutions have been introduced, but the optimum one is still ambiguous. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of single antegrade hot shot terminal warm blood cardioplegia (TWBC) on patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: In total, 2488 patients who had CABG surgery in Sina Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, from 2003 to 2011 were enrolled in this case-control study. They were divided into two groups, those who received cold cardioplegia only and those who received a hot shot following cold cardioplegia. Demographics, and clinical data, such as; premature atrial contraction (PAC) arrhythmia, diabetes treatment, and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), were collected and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were significant differences found between subjects receiving antegrade hot shot based on direct current (DC) shocks, with regard to; female, EF levels, diabetes treatment (P < 0.050). Those who did not receive the hot shot and were not diabetic received more DC shock (P = 0.019). The prevalence of subjects who did no need DC shock was significantly higher among male subjects who had good EF and acceptable diabetic treatment. Multiple logistic regression showed that PAC arrhythmia did not have a significant effect on receiving DC shock during CAGB [0.84 (0.25, 2.85), (P = 0.780)]. Having poor EF increased the risk of receiving DC shock among subjects by 2.81 [(1.69, 4.69), (P ≤ 0.001)] (P < 0.001). Among the diabetic subjects, receiving insulin decreased the risk of receiving DC shock by 0.54 (0.29, 0.98) (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that single antegrade hot shot following cold cardioplegia was not particularly effective in the CABG group. TWBC will decrease the need for DC shock.

Association of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Genotype, Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and Saphenous Vein Graft Atherosclerosis in Iranian Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate possible interactions among Angiotensin-I converting enzyme genotype, insertion/deletion polymorphism and atherosclerosis of vein grafts in Iranian patients, and characterize their clinical and demographic profile. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery more than five years ago, were included for angiographic analysis. Atherosclerosis was determined by quantitative angiography and adjusted Gensini score. The gene angiotensin converting enzyme I/D polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients participated in this study. Eighty-four patients were male. The frequency distribution of DD, ID and II polymorphism were 23.6%, 62.7% and 13.7% respectively. There were no differences among genotypic groups in age, sex, number of risk factors, number of vein grafts and months since bypass surgery. According to adjusted Gensini score [0.18±0.12 (II) vs. 0.11±0.09 (ID) and 0.1±0.09 (DD) P=0.021] the II genotype was associated with severity of vein graft atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: Although there are conflicting results about gene angiotensin converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and the degree of venous bypass graft degeneration, this study suggests an association between ACE genotype II and atherosclerosis of saphenous vein grafts, however, large samples considering clinical, demographic and ethnic profile are necessary to confirm these results.