Metabolic phenotyping of human atherosclerotic plaques: Metabolic alterations and their biological relevance in plaque-containing aorta.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by thickening of the arterial wall. However, a limited number of studies have been conducted on metabolic profiling of human aortic tissue. METHODS: We applied liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to perform global and targeted profiling of plaque-containing aortic tissue. The aorta samples included plaque-containing (n = 18) and control plaque-free (n = 24) aortic tissue from patients undergoing aortic surgery. RESULTS: The metabolic patterns of atherosclerotic and control vessels were significantly different. Metabolites in the purine and glutathione pathways showed dysregulation of oxidative stress in plaques, and levels of glucosylceramide, tryptophan, and kynurenine, which are related to inflammation, were also altered. Interestingly, an increased level of quinic acid was observed in plaques (p < 0.000), and we demonstrated an inhibitory effect of quinic acid on inflammatory activation and oxidative stress in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides insight into the disease mechanism and potential markers of atherosclerosis through comprehensive metabolic profiling of human aortic tissue samples containing plaque.

Late Migration of Amplatzer Septal Occluder Device to the Descending Thoracic Aorta.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) has become an increasingly common procedure. Serious complications of the procedure, such as cardiac migration, are rare, and usually occur <72 hours after device placement. In this report, we present the case of a patient who underwent successful surgical treatment for the migration of an ASD occluder device to the thoracic aorta 12 months after ASD closure.

Posttreatment platelet reactivity on clopidogrel is associated with the risk of adverse events after off-pump coronary artery bypass.

BACKGROUND: Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is currently recommended in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). However, no data exist concerning platelet reactivity on clopidogrel after OPCAB. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between platelet reactivity and late major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after OPCAB. METHODS: In this prospective, single-center, observational study, on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was measured using a point-of-care assay (VerifyNow system; Accumetrics Inc, San Diego, CA) in 859 patients who underwent OPCAB with 1 or more vein grafts. The primary end point was late MACEs (30 days-1 year) including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to estimate the cutoff value of P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs) for MACEs. RESULTS: The optimal cutoff value for posttreatment reactivity for the incidence of late MACEs was ≥188 PRU (area under the curve 0.72, 95% CI 0.68-0.75, P = .002). The incidence of late MACEs was significantly higher in the high platelet reactivity (HPR; ≥188 PRU) group than in the low platelet reactivity (<188 PRU) group (3.6% vs. 1.4%, P = .040). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed 1-year MACE-free survival rates of 98.4% ± 0.5% and 95.9% ± 1.3% in the low platelet reactivity and HPR groups, respectively (P = .034). According to a Cox regression hazard model, HPR was an independent risk factor for late MACE-free survival (hazard ratio 3.51, 95% CI 1.27-9.69, P = .015). CONCLUSION: High residual platelet reactivity after clopidogrel administration is strongly associated with 1-year MACE-free survival. Routine measurement of platelet reactivity and thorough monitoring of patients with HPR after OPCAB are warranted.

Effect of bilateral internal mammary artery grafts on long-term survival: a meta-analysis approach.

BACKGROUND: Although the potential survival benefit of bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafting in comparison with single internal mammary artery (SIMA) grafting has been emphasized by many investigators, the use of BIMA is still low in clinical practice in the absence of randomized trials and long-term results. In the current study, we aimed to assess if there is a long-term survival benefit of BIMA up to 10 years after coronary bypass surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: We selected published articles comparing survival between SIMA and BIMA patients with follow-up duration of more than a mean of 9 years. We evaluated the log hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval for included studies by using a random-effects meta-analysis. Nine eligible observational studies provided 15 583 patients (8270 SIMA and 7313 BIMA) for meta-analysis. Five studies used propensity score methods for statistical adjustment, 2 with a propensity score-based patient-matching method and 3 with quintile-based stratification. A significant reduction in mortality by using BIMA was observed (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.84); no study showed any significantly harmful effect of BIMA on survival. Subgroups of studies using different statistical approaches-unmatched, quintile-based propensity score analysis, and propensity score-based exact patient matching-all showed the survival benefit of BIMA grafting. CONCLUSIONS: BIMA grafting appears to have better survival with up to 10 years follow-up in comparison with SIMA grafting. Long-term survival benefit of BIMA seems to continue in the second decade after surgery. An ongoing randomized trial comparing SIMA and BIMA groups will add evidence on this issue.

The radial artery: current concepts on its use in coronary artery revascularization.

The radial artery (RA) can be used as part of an arterial revascularization strategy in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It is easy to harvest and several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have reported superior long-term patency over saphenous vein grafts. However, the RA is not used as frequently as the saphenous vein and questions remain regarding its optimum use as a conduit. This article comprehensively appraises current evidence surrounding outcomes, patient selection, harvesting technique, intraoperative strategy, and graft spasm prophylaxis to provide a contemporary review of the use of the RA as a conduit in CABG.

Association of incomplete revascularization with long-term survival after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effect of incomplete revascularization (IR) on the long-term outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 1553 patients with triple-vessel disease who had undergone consecutive off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, 1351 (87.0%) had complete revascularization (CR) and 202 had IR (13.0%). After propensity score patient matching, we had 200 patients in each group. Cardiac survival and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were assessed before and after patient matching. Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the interaction between the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the completeness of revascularization. The follow-up duration was 60 mo. RESULTS: In the all-patient analysis, the CR group had a lower incidence of in-hospital mortality, cardiac mortality, and MACCE (P = 0.033, P < 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). The 5-year cardiac survival was 96.5% ± 0.6% in the CR group and 88.9% ± 2.5% in the IR group (P < 0.001), with a freedom from MACCE rate of 85.4% ± 1.2% and 78.8% ± 3.4%, respectively (P = 0.015). After patient matching, the CR group showed superior 5-year cardiac survival compared with the IR group (96.2% ± 1.4% versus 88.8% ± 2.5%, P = 0.022), with a similar freedom from MACCE rate. IR was identified as an independent predictor of cardiac death (hazard ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 1.62-4.70; P < 0.001). IR predicted cardiac death more distinctly in patients with a low LVEF (hazard ratio 5.29, 95% confidence interval 1.71-16.39; P = 0.004) than in those with a preserved LVEF (hazard ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.02-4.08; P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: CR in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was related to superior cardiac survival after 5 years of follow-up compared with IR. The benefit of CR was more distinct in those with a low LVEF. CR should be achieved whenever possible, especially in patients with a low LVEF.

Stent versus off-pump coronary bypass grafting in the second-generation drug-eluting stent era.

BACKGROUND: Second-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) are known to have better safety and clinical outcomes compared with the first-generation DESs. We compared the clinical results of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using second-generation DESs. METHODS: The study enrolled 1,821 patients with triple-vessel or left main coronary disease, or both, who underwent OPCAB or PCI with second-generation DESs from 2008 to 2011. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and target vessel revascularization, were retrospectively compared between the two groups in a real-world and in a matched population (n = 1,294). Follow-up duration was 23.0 ± 13.0 months (range, 0 to 56 months). RESULTS: The postprocedural mortality rate was comparable between the two groups (p = 0.384). The overall rate of MAACEs was 7.3% in the PCI group and 3.8% in the OPCAB group (p = 0.001). The 3-year rate of freedom from MACCEs was 88.4% ± 1.5% in the PCI group and 94.9% ± 1.0% in the OPCAB group (p < 0.001). In a matched population comparison, the 3-year rate of freedom from a MACCE was 87.5% ± 2.0% in the PCI group and 95.3% ± 1.2% in the OPCAB group (p = 0.001). The determining factors were nonfatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization. The OPCAB group showed a superior rate of freedom from MACCEs in the triple-vessel (p = 0.008) and left main subset analysis (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The OPCAB showed superior outcomes in triple-vessel or left main disease, or both, compared with PCI in the second-generation DES era after 23 months of follow-up. Nonfatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization were the determining factors. Longer follow-up with randomization will clarify our results.

Impact of preoperative C-reactive protein on midterm outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the impact of C-reactive protein (CRP) on clinical outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). METHODS: Seven hundred fifty-five consecutive OPCABG patients were divided into two groups according to their preoperative CRP level (normal CRP [NCRP] group [CRP ≤ 6.0 mg/L] versus high CRP [HCRP] group [CRP > 6.0 mg/L]). Outcome measurements were cardiac death and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE). RESULTS: Early mortality was higher in the HCRP group (p = 0.036). During follow-up, cardiac mortality was 1.2% in the NCRP group and 7.1% in the HCRP group (p < 0.001). The overall MACCE incidence was 11.2% in the NCRP group and 16.5% in the HCRP group (p = 0.042). All-cause mortality was the only determining factor (p < 0.001), whereas the incidences of myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization were similar between the two groups (p = 0.987, p = 0.201, p = 0.426). The 3-year freedom rates from cardiac death and MACCE were 98.8 ± 0.5% and 87.5 ± 1.6% in the NCRP group and 92.5 ± 1.7% and 84.3 ± 2.5% in the HCRP group (p < 0.001, p = 0.09, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HCRP level showed worse clinical outcomes regarding cardiac death and MACCE after OPCABG.

Effect of the prosthesis-patient mismatch on long-term clinical outcomes after isolated aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement remains controversial. We evaluated effect of PPM on long-term clinical outcomes after isolated aortic valve replacement in patients with predominant aortic stenosis. METHODS: We analyzed data from patients with predominant aortic stenosis who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement between January 1995 and July 2010. The indexed effective orifice area, obtained by dividing the in vivo effective orifice area by the patient's body surface area, was used to define PPM as clinically nonsignificant (group I, 224 patients), mild (group II, 52 patients), moderate (group III, 39 patients), and severe (group IV, 36 patients). RESULTS: Early survival was not significantly different among the groups, but overall survival was decreased gradually in group IV. Overall survival at 12 years was lower in group IV than in group I (92.8% ± 2.7% vs 67.0 ± 10.1, respectively; P = .001). Cardiac-related-death-free survival at 12 years was lower in patients with severe PPM. Left ventricular mass index decreased during the follow-up period in all groups. But left ventricular mass index was less decreased in group IV compared with groups I, II, and III. Age, severe PPM, and ejection fraction <40%, and New York Heart Association Functional Class IV were independent risk factors of overall survival on multivariate analysis. Severe PPM was an independent risk factor for cardiac-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Severe PPM showed an adverse effect on long-term survival, and was an independent risk factor for cardiac-related death. In addition, patients with severe PPM showed less decreasing left ventricular mass index during follow-up.

Off-pump bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in right internal thoracic artery to right coronary system.

BACKGROUND: Despite many large-volume studies on the use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts, the benefits of a bilateral (B)ITA graft over a single (S)ITA graft for CABG remain controversial. This study compared midterm outcomes of BITA to SITA grafting in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB), focusing primarily on the right (R)ITA to right coronary artery (RCA) system. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2009, 1,749 patients underwent isolated OPCAB with ITA grafts. Using propensity score matching, 366 BITA patients could be pairwise propensity matched to a SITA patient. We compared midterm survival and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) between the 2 groups. All patients in the BITA group underwent bilateral ITA grafting with the RITA anastomosed to the RCA system. Mean follow-up was 84.46±24.47 months (range, 5 to 120 months). RESULTS: Overall survival at 10 years was not significantly different between the 2 groups (84.6% vs 84.1%; p=0.955). The 10-year cardiac-related death-free rate also did not significantly differ between the groups (90.0% vs 90.9%; p=0.871). The 10-year MACCE-free rate did not significantly differ between the 2 groups (79.7% vs 74.6%; p=0.303). CONCLUSIONS: At 10-year follow-up, BITA grafting did not offer advantages over SITA grafting in midterm outcomes, at least in the RITA to RCA system. The BITA grafting was similar to SITA grafting in overall and cardiac survival, and MACCE rates.

Midterm outcome of off-pump bypass procedures versus drug-eluting stent for unprotected left main coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Although surgical revascularization is recommended for the treatment of left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) attempts have increased, especially after the introduction of the drug-eluting stent. The goal of this study was to compare the midterm outcomes between drug-eluting stenting and off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting in LMCA disease. METHODS: Five hundred twelve consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA disease who underwent OPCAB (N = 269) or drug-eluting stenting (N = 243) were enrolled. We compared major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in a real-world cohort and in a matching patient cohort (N = 256). The duration of mean follow-up was 38 ± 20 months, and the follow-up rate was 97.7%. RESULTS: In a real-world comparison, the OPCAB group showed better 5-year freedom from MACCEs compared with the stenting group (71.5% ± 4.4% versus 67.6% ± 4.0%; p = 0.031), despite worse patient characteristics. After patient matching, the OPCAB group showed more distinct benefit in 5-year freedom from MACCEs (75.3% ± 6.6% versus 62.8% ± 5.4; p < 0.001), including a significantly lower target vessel revascularization (TVR) rate (p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis, the benefit of OPCAB regarding 5-year freedom from MACCEs was more clearly defined for lesions of the distal LCMA and in LMCA lesions with multivessel disease (p = 0.015, p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LMCA disease who were treated with OPCAB showed better 5-year freedom from MACCEs in a real-world practice and in a patient matching cohort compared with the drug-eluting stenting group. TVR was the main factor that made the difference. The benefit of OPCAB was more prominent in distal LMCA lesions and in LMCA lesions with multivessel involvement.

Long term results of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction versus non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: propensity score matching analysis.

There is no consensus as to which acute myocardial infarction subtype poses a greater risk after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We compared the early and the long term results of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) between patients with STEMI (group I, n = 83), and NSTEMI (group II, n = 237). Group I had higher EuroSCORE, prevalence of emergency surgery, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump use, preoperative emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and preoperative thrombolytic use than group II. There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) between groups. Overall 8-yr survival was 93% and 87% in groups I and II, respectively. Freedom from MACCE after 8 yr was 92% and 93% in groups I and II, respectively. After propensity score matching analysis, there were no significant differences in preoperative parameters, postoperative in-hospital outcomes, and long-term clinical outcomes. Surgical results of OPCAB in patients with acute myocardial infarction show good results in terms of long-term survival and freedom from MACCE, with no significant differences in clinical outcomes between STEMI and NSTEMI groups.

Comparison of long-term outcome of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting versus drug-eluting stents in triple-vessel coronary artery disease.

After the introduction of drug-eluting stents (DESs), percutaneous coronary intervention with DESs has challenged coronary artery bypass grafting as the gold standard for the treatment of 3-vessel coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term clinical results between percutaneous coronary intervention with DESs and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in 3-vessel coronary artery disease. Two hundred ninety propensity-score matched patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease treated by DESs or OPCAB were included. Mean follow-up duration was 58.8 ± 11.5 months (2 to 73) and follow-up rate was 97.9%. Five-year survival rates were 94.8 ± 2.1% in the DES group and 96.5 ± 1.5% in the OPCAB group (p = 0.658). Five-year rates of freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event were 71.6 ± 4.1% in the DES group and 89.6 ± 2.5% in the OPCAB group (p < 0.001). Freedom from nonfatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization rates were the determining factors between the 2 groups (p = 0.018 and p < 0.001, respectively). The OPCAB group showed better clinical outcomes compared to the DES group in 3-vessel coronary artery disease after 5-year follow-up. Freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event rate was significantly higher in the OPCAB group mainly because of the lower incidence of target vessel revascularization and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Longer follow-up with randomization will clarify our present conclusions.

Effects of early anticoagulation on the degree of thrombosis After repair of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: The degree of false lumen thrombosis after surgical repair of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection can predict long-term outcomes. However, there are currently no evidence-based recommendations for anticoagulation. We analyzed the effect of early anticoagulation on the residual false lumen and long-term outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of 136 patients with acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection who underwent surgical repair between 1997 and 2007. We assessed the effect of early anticoagulation on the degree of thrombosis of the false lumen, segmental growth rates, repeat distal procedures, and long-term survival. RESULTS: Among the 136 patients who underwent operations, imaging data in 103 were sufficient for analyzing the degree of thrombosis of the false lumen. Of those, 56 (54%) received anticoagulation therapy immediately postoperatively. The early-anticoagulation group had a higher proportion of completely patent false lumens and lower partial thrombosis than the no-anticoagulation group. Mean segmental aortic growth rate was significantly lower in the early-anticoagulation group than in the no-anticoagulation group (2.9 ± 1.3 and 4.5 ± 2.8 mm/year, p = 0.0184). Overall survival and aorta-related repeat procedure-free survival were significantly better with early anticoagulation than with no anticoagulation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early anticoagulation after surgical repair of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection might have a favorable effect on the onset or extension of thrombosis, aortic growth rate, the need for repeat distal procedures, overall survival, and thrombosis-related complications during long-term follow-up.

Effects of partial thrombosis on distal aorta after repair of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Prognostic implications of partial thrombosis of the residual aorta after repair of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection have not been elucidated. We sought to analyze the impact of partial thrombosis on segmental growth rates, distal aortic reprocedures, and long-term survival. METHODS: A total of 118 consecutive patients (55% were male; mean age, 60 years) with acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection underwent surgical repair (1997-2007). The hospital mortality rate was 17.8%. Survivors underwent serial computed tomography scans. Segment-specific average rates of enlargement were analyzed. Distal reprocedures and patient survival were examined. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients had imaging data sufficient for growth rate calculations. The median diameters within 2 weeks after repair were as follows: aortic arch, 3.5 cm; descending aorta, 3.6 cm; and abdominal aorta, 2.4 cm. Subsequent growth rates were artic arch, 0.34 mm/y, descending aorta, 0.51 mm/y, and abdominal aorta, 0.35 mm/y. Partial thrombosis of the residual aorta predicted greater growth in the distal aorta (P = .005). There were 13 distal aortic reprocedures (5 reoperations, 8 stent graft insertions) for 10 years, and reprocedure-free survival was 66%. Partial thrombosis (P = .002) predicted greater risk of aorta-related reprocedures. Cox analysis revealed that estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P = .030), reintubation (P = .002), and partial thrombosis (P = .023) were independent predictors for poor survival. CONCLUSION: Partial thrombosis of the false lumen after repair of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection, compared with complete patency or complete thrombosis, is a significant independent predictor of aortic enlargement, aorta-related reprocedures, and poor long-term survival.

Off-pump right coronary artery bypass with saphaneous vein or in-situ right internal thoracic artery.

BACKGROUND: The ideal conduit for the right coronary artery (RCA) is yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results between the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) in situ with free saphenous vein (SV) graft for RCA in off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCABG). METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-eight patients who underwent isolated OPCABG with RCA anastomosis either by RITA in situ (n = 199) or free SV graft (n = 159) were included. We evaluated the graft patency and the incidence of RCA reintervention considering the degree of native RCA stenosis. The follow-up rate was 97.8%, and the mean follow-up duration was 57.6 months. RESULTS: The overall mortality and the incidence of major cardiac and cerebrovascular event showed no difference between the two groups (p = 0.495 and p = 0.338, respectively). The 5-year freedom from graft occlusion rate was 87.4% +/- 3.2% in the RITA group and 94.3% +/- 2.0% in the SV group (p = 0.011), with a statistically significant difference only in the moderate stenosis (< 75%) group (p = 0.020). The 5-year freedom from RCA reintervention rate was 95.7% +/- 1.6% in the RITA group and 99.3% +/- 0.7% in the SV group (p = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Both RITA and SV showed favorable graft patency for the RCA system in OPCABG. The SV graft showed better patency in patients with moderate stenosis of RCA compared with RITA in situ. A longer follow-up period is necessary to clarify our current results.

Comparison of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with percutaneous coronary intervention versus drug-eluting stents for three-vessel coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents (DESs) have challenged coronary bypass grafting as the gold standard for 3-vessel coronary artery disease. This study compared the clinical results between percutaneous intervention with DESs vs off-pump coronary bypass surgery (OPCAB). METHODS: The study included 388 matched patients with 3-vessel coronary artery diseases who were treated either with DESs or OPCAB. We compared 30-day, 12-month, and cumulative major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during the follow-up. RESULTS: The overall follow-up was 98.5%. Follow-up duration was 621.1 +/- 259.9 days (range, 13 to 1117 days). The rates of MAACE in the DES and OPCAB group were, respectively, 1.5% at 30 days (p = 0.315) and 9.8% and 3.6% at 12 months (p = 0.015). During follow-up, five deaths occurred in the DES group and one in OPCAB group (p = 0.1). Three-year survival rate was 95.1% +/- 2.9% in DES group and 99.5% +/- 0.5% in OPCAB group (p = 0.075). Survival free from MACCE at 3 years was 73.3% +/- 5.3% in DES group and 91.3% +/- 2.9% in OPCAB group (p < 0.001). The major event for the differences between the groups was target vessel revascularization (p < 0.001): 21 DES patients (10.8%) vs 6 OPCAB patients (3.1%). CONCLUSIONS: OPCAB showed better clinical outcome in 12-month and cumulative MACCE rate in 3-vessel coronary artery diseases. The major factor for the difference was target vessel revascularization. Longer follow-up is needed to clarify the differences between the two groups.

Open pulmonary thromboembolectomy in patients with major pulmonary thromboembolism.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively analyzed open pulmonary thromboembolectomy in patients with acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1990 and May 2005, 12 consecutive patients with acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism underwent open pulmonary thromboembolectomy at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center. Their mean age was 47.5 years, and 7 of the patients were female. Among 12 patients, 5 had acute onset, and 7 had chronic disease, and 9 patients were associated with deep venous thrombosis. Extent of pulmonary embolism was massive in 3 patients with hemodynamic instability, and submassive in 8 patients. Preoperative echocardiogram revealed elevated right ventricular pressure in all patients, and 7 patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV. Pulmonary thromboembolectomy was performed in all patients under total circulatory arrest. RESULTS: There were 2 hospital deaths (16.7%). Among the patients who survived, mean right ventricular pressure was decreased significantly from 64.3 mmHg to 34.0 mmHg with improvement of NYHA functional class. CONCLUSION: Open pulmonary thromboembolectomy is thought to be an immediate and definitive treatment for massive pulmonary embolism with optimal results. Even though operative mortality is still high, early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention in highly selective patients may improve the clinical outcome.

Perioperative indicators of stress response and postoperative inflammatory complications in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Little has been published regarding the association between perioperative stress response and clinical outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). The role of perioperative stress response in postoperative inflammatory complications (PIC) in patients undergoing OPCAB was assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 100 patients who underwent elective OPCAB over a 5-month period. Anesthetic management was standardized and blood samples were collected before surgery, immediately after surgery, and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after surgery. Leukocyte, neutrophil, platelet, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, cortisol, D-dimer, and fibrin degradation product were measured at each time point, and the association of each parameter with PIC was assessed. PIC included postoperative pulmonary complications, atrial fibrillation, and wound infections. PIC occurred in 30 patients at the median third postoperative day. Multivariate analysis showed preoperative cortisol (p=0.024) and cortisol on the first postoperative day (p=0.001) were significantly associated with PIC. Intraoperative cortisol release was correlated with intraoperative hemodynamic changes, including pulmonary artery pressure, central venous pressure, and cardiac index. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PIC after OPCAB have significantly increased preoperative cortisol and cortisol on the first postoperative day. Intraoperative cortisol release was significantly correlated with hemodynamic changes. The neurohormonal environment and inflammatory response during and after beating-heart surgery should be further explored.

Effects of continuous administration of clopidogrel before off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Clopidogrel has become standard treatment after urgent percutaneous coronary revascularization. Due to its enhanced and irreversible platelet inhibition, patients undergoing urgent surgical revascularization have a higher risk of bleeding complications and transfusions. Therefore, the effect of preoperative continuous administration of clopidogrel on the incidence of hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery with acute coronary syndrome was evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: From March 2004 to September 2006, 172 patients with acute coronary syndrome underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery; 70 (40.7%) and 102 (59.3%) of these patients did or did not take clopidogrel before surgery respectively. Seventy patients in each group were matched using propensity scores and associations between preoperative continuous administration of clopidogrel and postoperative bleeding, hemostatic reoperation, blood products received, the need for multiple transfusions and early graft patency by coronary computed tomography were assessed. Univariate analysis showed the continuous clopidogrel group had similar levels of postoperative bleeding for 24 h (601.4+/-312.6 ml vs 637.2+/-452.4 ml, p=0.616) and rates of reexploration (1.4% vs 1.4%), perioperative blood transfusion (33.3% vs 34.3%, p>0.05) and platelet transfusion (2.9% vs 7.1%, p=0.44) compared with the non-continuous group. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative continuous administration of clopidogrel did not increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. These findings indicate that surgery after clopidogrel treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome should not be delayed until platelet function returns to normal because they may have a higher risk of recurrent myocardial ischemic events.