Evaluation of the reliability of the EuroSCORE risk analysis prediction in high-risk older patients undergoing CABG.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the reliability of EuroSCORE risk-analysis predictions on early mortality in high-risk older patients who underwent heart surgery. METHODS: From January 2008 to February 2009, a total of 128 consecutive high-risk older patients who underwent open-heart surgery were included. Patients who required emergency surgery, had pulmonary hypertension, a recent myocardial infarction, underwent combined heart surgery procedures or had renal disease were included. The patients had a mean age of 72 +/- 9 years (range 64-91, 53.1% male) and were evaluated for surgery. RESULTS: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery was performed on 112 patients and valve surgery on 16. Eight patients (6.25% ) died in hospital. The observed mortality rate was lower than the expected mortality obtained using EuroSCORE (6.25% vs 11.2 +/- 7.2%, respectively, p < 0.021). CONCLUSION: There was no correlation between the preoperative logarithmic score of expected mortality and the observed mortality rate in these older high-risk patients who underwent open-heart surgery.

Pre-emptive stellate ganglion block increases the patency of radial artery grafts in coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the role of pre-emptive stellate ganglion block (SGB) in preventing radial artery spasm and increasing radial artery graft patency in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, 100 patients were divided into two equal groups (n= 50). In group A, SGB was achieved using 10 ml of ropivacaine and, in group B, SGB was not performed. Radial artery blood flow was measured pre- and intra-operatively. Post-operative clinical determinants (S-T segment elevation, use of inotropic agents, incidence of atrial fibrillation) were recorded. Early coronary angiography was performed. RESULTS: According to blood flowmeter measurements, the radial artery blood flow was significantly increased in patients with SGB. The incidence of atrial fibrillation, the need for inotropic agents and S-T segment elevation were all decreased in the SGB group. Angiographic intervention revealed that the incidence of graft spasm was also lower in the SGB group. CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive SGB is an effective method for increasing radial artery blood flow and preventing radial artery spasm. Complications related to radial artery spasm may be decreased and patients may have a more comfortable post-operative period with this method.

Comparison of ultrasonically activated scalpel and traditional technique in radial artery harvesting: clinical research.

BACKGROUND: Use of the radial artery (RA) as a conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has become increasingly popular in recent years. The aim of this study was to compare the results of two different RA harvesting techniques. Use of the harmonic scalpel is suggested to be safe and additionally reduces spasm rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2000, the first 200 consecutive patients who underwent RA harvesting for CABG were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups. RA was harvested by means of electrocautery + hemoclips in Group I and by harmonic scalpel + hemoclips in Group II. 30 patients (30 %) in Group I and 25 patients (25 %) in Group II were female. Mean age was 53.9 +/- 9.3 and 53.5 +/- 8.4 years in Group I and Group II, respectively. Hand circulation and ulnar collateral flow was assured with a modified Allen test in all patients preoperatively. During the operation perfusion of the hand was monitored by oximetric plethysmography. The distal end of RA was also explored and clamped with a soft vascular clamp to evaluate the saturation values in the groups. During the clamping period, oxygen saturation values did not decrease so we harvested RAs in all patients. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with the exception of the RA harvesting times, the postoperative analgesia requirements, the rate of vasospasm and the need for hemostatic clips. CONCLUSION: Harmonic scalpel usage in RA harvesting causes less trauma to adjacent tissues; the analgesia requirements, the rate of vasospasm, the RA harvesting time and the need of hemostatic clips decreases. We conclude that the use of a harmonic scalpel for radial artery harvesting is safer and faster than the routine technique.

Coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy: combined approach.

Controversy exists concerning the best management of patients with coronary artery and carotid artery disease. Between June 1994 and July 2000, 88 patients with coronary artery and carotid artery disease underwent combined coronary artery surgery and carotid endarterectomy. Demographics and perioperative variables of these patients were compared with those of 266 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery surgery. Patients in the combined coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy group were elderly patients (p=0.0001) with a higher prevalence of female gender (p=0.0001), left ventricular dysfunction (p=0.006), left main coronary artery disease (p=0.033), triple-vessel coronary artery disease (p=0.002), unstable angina pectoris (p=0.004), and history of prior neurologic events (p=0.0001). Three (3.4%) patients in the combined group and 5 (1.9%) patients in the isolated coronary artery surgery group (p=0.317) developed perioperative myocardial infarction. Two (2.3%) patients in the combined group developed a permanent postoperative neurologic event. Hospital mortality was 5.7% (5 patients) in the combined coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy group and 1.5% (4 patients) in the isolated coronary artery surgery group (p=0.046). Patients with concomitant carotid and coronary artery disease have an advanced arteriosclerosis. Although combined coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy is associated with a higher risk of death and perioperative myocardial infarction than simple coronary artery surgery, this procedure is a preferable approach for these high-risk patients and results in lower neurologic morbidity.