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Biomedical subjects

R J Shemin

Publications and source records attributed to R J Shemin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Heparin-bonded circuit with low systemic anticoagulation in a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a case report.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in patients undergoing open heart surgery has been reported with increasing frequency. Several strategies have been suggested to approach this difficult problem. However, the syndrome is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We describe an 82-year-old male with HIT who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting utilizing a heparin-bonded cardiopulmonary bypass circuit with very low systemic anticoagulation. Only one unit of packed red blood cells was transfused. The patient recovered uneventfully. This strategy is safe and effective, and, therefore, should be considered in patients with HIT.

Aged↗

Effect of anticoagulation protocol on outcome in patients undergoing CABG with heparin-bonded cardiopulmonary bypass circuits.

BACKGROUND: We have demonstrated that the use of heparin-bonded cardiopulmonary bypass circuits (HBCs) combined with a lower anticoagulation protocol as an adjunct to an integrated blood conservation strategy decreases the incidence and magnitude of homologous transfusion and improves clinical outcome in patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting. It is not known whether it is the lower anticoagulation protocol that influences outcome in patients treated with HBCs. Furthermore, the thrombogenic risk of using lower anticoagulation with HBCs still is debated. METHODS: To answer these questions, a prospective randomized study was conducted in which 244 patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting were treated with HBCs and randomized to undergo either a full (activated clotting time, > 450 seconds) or a lower (activated clotting time, > 250 seconds) anticoagulation protocol. In addition to clinical outcome, levels of thrombin generation markers during and after cardiopulmonary bypass were assessed in a consecutive subset of 58 patients (full anticoagulation profile = 28, lower anticoagulation profile = 30) by measuring thrombin-antithrombin complexes and prothrombin fragment 1.2. Levels of these markers also were correlated with the activated clotting time during cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Preoperative and intraoperative risk profiles and other characteristics were similar in both groups, with more than 60% of patients undergoing nonelective operation. Compared with the full anticoagulation protocol group, patients in the lower anticoagulation protocol group were less likely to require blood products (24.2% versus 35.8%, respectively; p = 0.047) and received substantially fewer homologous donor units (0.50 +/- 0.92 versus 1.08 +/- 2.10 U, respectively; p = 0.005). Clinical outcomes were uniformly outstanding (but similar) in both treatment groups, with a modest reduction in the length of the hospital stay in the lower anticoagulation protocol group (5.26 +/- 1.23 versus 5.63 +/- 1.73 days, respectively; p = 0.05). The use of HBCs with a lower anticoagulation protocol was not associated with any adverse clinical events. Thrombin generation increased during cardiopulmonary bypass in both treatment groups, but was unrelated to the anticoagulation protocol or the activated clotting time (r2 = 0.03). No differences between the full and lower anticoagulation protocol groups were noted in the number of microemboli detected by transcranial Doppler analyses during cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 40) or in the postoperative neurologic and neuropsychologic outcomes (n = 30). CONCLUSIONS: This study definitively demonstrates that, when used appropriately, patients who are treated with HBCs and a lower anticoagulation protocol have a lower incidence and magnitude of homologous transfusion and are not at any added risk for clinical, hematologic (thrombin-antithrombin complex and fragment 1.2 measurements), or microscopic (transcranial Doppler analyses) thromboembolic complications or for neurologic or neuropsychologic deficits.

Aged↗

Reduction of allogeneic blood transfusions after open heart operations by lowering cardiopulmonary bypass prime volume.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in blood conservation techniques, up to 30% to 80% of patients undergoing open heart operations require allogeneic blood transfusions. A prospective, randomized study was performed to test the effect of lowering cardiopulmonary bypass prime volume (as an additional component of an integrated blood conservation strategy) on clinical outcome and allogeneic blood transfusion. METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients undergoing open heart operations were randomized to either full prime (FP) volume (1,400 mL of Plasmalyte solution) or reduced prime (RP) volume (600 to 800 mL). The reduction of prime volume was achieved by slowly draining the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit into a cell-saving device before the initiation of bypass. Firm transfusion thresholds were observed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to baseline characteristics, body surface area, type and urgency of the procedures, perfusion technique, and hematologic profile. Mortality (FP, 1.7%; RP, 0%; p approximately 1.0) and overall morbidity (FP, 28.1%; RP, 22.8%; p = 0.53) were similar. However, transfusion requirements were significantly lower in the RP group: total donor exposure, 3.8 +/- 10.1 versus 1.0 +/- 2.4 units (p = 0.044); percentage of patients transfused, 54% (n = 31) versus 35% (n = 20) (p = 0.036). Twenty-four-hour chest tube drainage was similar: 455 +/- 223 mL for FP versus 472 +/- 173 mL for RP (p = 0.66). The lowest hematocrit on bypass was significantly higher in the RP group: 29.3% +/- 4% versus 26.3% +/- 5.3% (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Lowering cardiopulmonary bypass prime volume resulted in a significant decrease in allogeneic blood product use. Because postoperative 24-hour chest tube drainage was similar in both groups, and hematocrit during bypass was higher in the RP group, the reduction in allogeneic blood transfusions appears to be related to a decrease in prime-induced hemodilution. This technique is effective, simple, and safe. It therefore should be strongly considered for patients undergoing operations using normothermic or near-normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass who are at high risk for allogeneic blood transfusion.

Aged↗

Soluble complement receptor type I limits damage during revascularization of ischemic myocardium.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine whether suppression of complement activation with soluble human complement receptor type I reduces myocardial damage during the revascularization of ischemic myocardium. METHODS: In 20 pigs, the second and third diagonal coronary arteries were occluded for 90 minutes, followed by 45 minutes of cardioplegic arrest and 180 minutes of reperfusion. In 10 pigs, soluble human complement receptor type I (10 mg/kg) was infused over 30 minutes before the period of coronary occlusion; 10 other pigs received no soluble human complement receptor type I. Complement activation was measured by total hemolytic complement activity (expressed as a percentage of preischemic values). Ischemic damage was assessed by changes in myocardial tissue pH, wall motion scores (range, 4=normal to -1=dyskinesia), and infarct size (area of necrosis versus area at risk). RESULTS: After 180 minutes of reperfusion, hearts treated with soluble human complement receptor type I had significantly less complement activation than nontreated hearts (1.1%+/-0.09% versus 7.8%+/-0.04%, respectively; p < 0.002), less myocardial acidosis (-0.41+/-0.03 versus -0.72+/-0.03, respectively; p < 0.0001), higher wall motion scores (3.1+/-0.09 versus 1.67+/-0.16, respectively; p < 0.0001), and smaller infarct size (24.6%+/-2.0% versus 41%+/-1.3%, respectively; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Complement inhibition with soluble human complement receptor type I significantly limits ischemic damage during the revascularization of acutely ischemic myocardium.

Acidosis↗

Comparison of risk profile and outcomes in patients undergoing surgical and catheter-based revascularization.

BACKGROUND: The effects of the randomized revascularization trials and improved strategies and techniques for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and percutaneous transluminal catheter-based revascularization (PTCR) on current patient selection and clinical outcomes are unknown. METHODS: We evaluated a concurrent, contemporary (1995 to 1997), and consecutive group of patients undergoing CABG (n = 982) or PTCR (n = 939) in a single institution that participated in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI) trial. Results are presented as percent or mean +/- SD. Compared to PTCR, patients undergoing CABG were older (66.2+/-10.7 vs. 62.0+/-11.8 years, p<0.05) with a higher incidence of hypertension (73.3% vs. 52.4%, p<0.05), diabetes (32.5% vs. 23.1%, p<0.05), active smoking (67.8% vs. 27.2%, p<0.05), prior myocardial infarction (MI)(66.8% vs. 28.5%, p<0.05), peripheral vascular disease (19.8% vs. 7.7%, p<0.05), prior cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/transient ischemic attack (TIA) (6.4% vs. 2.8%, p<0.05), and a lower ejection fraction (48.7%+/-14.5% vs. 55.3%+/-11.7%, p<0.05). The presenting functional class and incidence of female gender were similar for both revascularization strategies. RESULTS: Compared to patients undergoing CABG, those undergoing PTCR were more likely to have single or two vessel coronary artery disease (88.6% vs. 23.1%, p<0.001) and had fewer vessels revascularized per patient (1.08+/-0.30 vs. 3.5+/-0.98, p<0.001). Outcomes were comparable for CABG and PTCR with a similar incidence of death (1.0% vs. 0.9%, NS), renal insufficiency (0.7% vs. 0.6%, NS), and CVA/TIA (0.9% vs. 0.3%, NS). Patients undergoing CABG had a higher incidence of pulmonary complications (5.2% vs. 1.0%, p<0.05), a lower incidence of periprocedural MI (1.1% vs. 4.1%, p<0.05) and major complication (5.9% vs. 9.4%, p<0.05), but longer hospital stays (6.5+/-5.1 vs. 3.1+/-2.6 days, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite higher clinical and angiographic risk profiles in patients undergoing CABG, clinical results, morbidity, and mortality were comparable to those of PTCR. With evolving techniques, continued reevaluation of indications and outcomes are necessary.

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Repair of left ventricular aneurysm: long-term results of linear repair versus endoaneurysmorrhaphy.

BACKGROUND: Recently, endoaneurysomorrhaphy has been proposed as a more physiologic repair of postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm than is linear repair. There are only a few studies comparing the short-term and long-term results of the two techniques. METHODS: Clinical outcomes and echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular volume and sphericity in 27 patients who underwent endoaneurysmorrhaphy were compared with those in 20 patients who had linear repair. RESULTS: The two groups were matched with respect to age, gender, comorbid risk factors, functional class, urgency of the operation, and concomitant procedures. Preoperatively, left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in the endoaneurysmorrhaphy group (0.25 +/- 0.08 versus 0.30 +/- 0.09; p = 0.03). Follow-up was available in 44 patients (94%) and ranged from 2 to 86 months (mean, 41.0 +/- 26.5 months). Thirty-day operative mortality, perioperative complications, 5-year survival, and freedom from cardiac death were similar. Early postoperative percentage increase in left ventricular ejection fraction was greater after endoaneurysmorrhaphy (0.51 +/- 0.64 versus 0.18 +/- 0.48; p = 0.036). Long-term functional improvement was significantly better in the endoaneurysmorrhaphy group: At the time of last follow-up, 88% of patients were in New York Heart Association class I/II, compared with 53% after linear repair (p = 0.01). There were no measurable differences between the groups with respect to left ventricular ejection fraction (0.28 +/- 0.11 versus 0.27 +/- 0.11; p = 0.90), left ventricular volume (171.6 +/- 59.1 versus 169.9 +/- 54.4 mL; p = 0.94), and sphericity index (0.61 +/- 0.09 versus 0.61 +/- 0.12; p = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Despite having a similar effect on left ventricular geometry, endoaneurysmorrhaphy resulted in a greater increase in postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction and a substantially improved long-term clinical outcome.

Case-Control Studies↗

Heparin-bonded circuits decrease myocardial ischemic damage: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Heparin-bonded cardiopulmonary bypass circuits reduce complement activation, but their effect on myocardial function is unknown. This study was undertaken to determine whether heparin-bonded circuits reduce myocardial damage during acute surgical revascularization. METHODS: In 16 pigs, the second and third diagonal vessels were occluded with snares for 90 minutes followed by 45 minutes of cardioplegic arrest and 180 minutes of reperfusion with the snares released. During the period of coronary occlusion, all animals were placed on percutaneous bypass followed by standard cardiopulmonary bypass during the periods of cardioplegic arrest and reperfusion. In 8 pigs, heparin-bonded circuits were used, whereas 8 other pigs received nonbonded circuits. RESULTS: Animals treated with heparin-bonded circuits had the best preservation of wall motion scores (3.5 +/- 0.3 versus 2.3 +/- 0.2; 4 = normal to -1 = dyskinesis; p < 0.05), least tissue acidosis (change in pH = -0.31 +/- 0.02 versus -0.64 +/- 0.08; p < 0.05), smallest increase in lung H2O (1.7% +/- 0.7% versus 6.1% +/- .5%; p < 0.05), and the lowest area of necrosis/area of risk (20.3% +/- 2.2% versus 40.4% +/- 1.6%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that heparin-bonded circuits significantly decrease myocardial ischemic damage during acute surgical revascularization.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Factors influencing mortality after emergency coronary artery bypass grafting for failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting after failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is associated with increased mortality. METHODS: From 1981 through 1995, 117 patients at our institution underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting after failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 13.6%. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the factors that influenced the risk of death. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that patients who died more often were women and had chronic renal failure, lower ejection fractions, and more diffuse coronary artery disease; less often received an internal mammary artery graft or an antegrade perfusion catheter; required inotropic support in the cardiac catheterization laboratory; and experienced myocardial infarction. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the need for inotropic support in the cardiac catheterization laboratory was the best predictor of perioperative death. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a reduced ejection fraction in whom percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty fails, antegrade perfusion does not produce a response, and myocardial infarction occurs are more likely to die after coronary artery bypass grafting. The risk appears to be highest for patients who require inotropic support in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Analysis of Variance↗

Glucose-insulin-potassium solutions enhance recovery after urgent coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective, randomized, clinical study was undertaken to determine whether glucose-insulin-potassium solutions would benefit patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting because of unstable angina. METHODS: The study group consisted of 30 patients with unstable angina who required coronary artery bypass grafting. In 15 patients, glucose-insulin-potassium solution (30% dextrose in water; K+, 80 mEq/L: regular insulin, 50 units) was given intravenously at 1 ml/kg per hour after induction of anesthesia and administration continued for 12 hours after aortic unclamping. Fifteen patients in a separate group received 5% dextrose in water intravenously at 50 ml/hr. RESULTS: Patients treated with glucose-insulin-potassium solution had higher cardiac indices (2.8 +/- 0.1 vs 2.0 +/- 1 L/min per square meter; p < 0.001), lower inotrope scores (0.06 +/- 0.01 vs 0.46 +/- 0.19; p = 0.041), and less weight gain (6.4 +/- 9 vs 11.6 +/- 1.1 pounds; p < 0.001) and had shorter times of ventilator support (8.3 +/- 0.6 vs 14.2 +/- 0.2 hours; p = 0.003). They had a significantly lower incidence of atrial fibrillation (13.3% vs 53.3%; p = 0.020) and had shorter stays in the intensive care unit (14.8 +/- 1.3 vs 31.6 +/- 5.2 hours; p = 0.002) and in the hospital (6.0 +/- 0.4 vs 8.0 +/- 0.7 days; p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that glucose insulin-potassium therapy enhances myocardial performance and results in faster recovery from urgent coronary artery bypass grafting.

Adult↗

Aneurysmal coronary artery disease. Atherosclerotic coronary artery ectasia or adult mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki's disease)?

A 46-year-old white man presented with a history of multiple myocardial infarctions since the age of 32. Coronary angiography demonstrated severe aneurysmal coronary artery disease. Four-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using bilateral internal mammary arteries and the left radial artery was successfully performed. The differential diagnosis of early onset adult aneurysmal coronary artery disease is discussed, with emphasis on Kawasaki's disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery ectasia. When CABG is indicated, total arterial revascularization should be attempted.

Coronary Aneurysm↗

Prognosis and quality of life after valve surgery in patients older than 75 years.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of quality of life has become an increasingly important aspect of the risk-benefit analysis of any therapeutic intervention, particularly in high-risk populations, such as the elderly. METHODS: Clinical outcomes of 147 consecutive patients older than 75 years undergoing valve surgery between 1992 and 1995 were reviewed. Long-term quality of life was assessed using a modified version of the Duke University Medical Outcomes Study system. RESULTS: Mean age was 79.3+/-4 years, range was 75 to 89 years, and 67% (99/147) were male. Preoperatively, 128 patients (87%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV. Fifty-two percent (77/147) of the operations were nonelective. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 69 patients (47%). Thirty-day hospital mortality was 7.5% (11/147). Mean follow-up for 98% (133/136) of hospital survivors was 30+/-13 months (range, 2 to 55 months). Actuarial survival at 55 months was 71+/-6%-equivalent to a general age-, race-, and gender-matched population reported in the Life Tables of the US National Center for Health Statistics. At the time of follow-up, 112 patients (96%) lived at home, 78% (91/116) defined their health between good to excellent, and 81% (93/114) stated that the operation improved their health status. Ninety-seven percent (112/116) were able to bathe and dress independently, 92% (104/113) could walk at least one block, and 88.5% (100/113) could climb at least one flight of stairs. Moderate to vigorous activities could be performed by 59.2% (67/113). Overall, at the time of follow-up, 81% (95/117) were in NYHA class I/II. CONCLUSION: In a selected patient population, valve surgery in the elderly is associated with acceptable early morbidity and mortality. Long-term survival and quality of life are excellent. These facts strongly support the performance of these procedures in patients older than 75 years.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Salvage of ischemic myocardium with simplified and even delayed coronary sinus retroperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Despite the proven efficacy of pressure-controlled intermittent coronary sinus obstruction (PICSO) and synchronized retrograde perfusion (SRP) in salvaging ischemic myocardium, wide application of these coronary sinus (CS) retroperfusion techniques has been limited by concerns about their safety and complexity and in particular the need for repeated occlusion of the CS with a balloon. To address these concerns a simplified retroperfusion technique (SR) was developed that continuously infuses superior vena caval blood at 7 mL/min into the CS catheter without balloon occlusion. METHODS: Thirty pigs underwent 90 minutes of ischemia imposed by snaring the two largest diagonal branches of the left anterior descending artery and were randomized to one of five treatment groups: One group received no retroperfusion (control). Three groups had immediate (Im) institution of PICSO, SRP, or SR. In a final group, an initial 60 minutes of ischemia was followed by 30 minutes of delayed SR with superior vena caval blood. All animals were then placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and, after a 60-minute cardioplegic arrest, the coronary artery obstructions were removed, to simulate surgical revascularization. This was followed by 3 hours of reperfusion. The area of myocardium at risk and the area of infarction were determined by methylene blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining with planimetric quantification. RESULTS: Results are reported as mean +/- standard deviation. The area of the left ventricle at risk for infarction was similar in all the treatment groups and represented 22.3% +/- 4.1% of the left ventricular mass. The area of infarction after 3 hours of reperfusion was 48.5% +/- 11.0% for the control group, 26.8% +/- 7.3% for Im-PICSO, 24.9% +/- 4.8% for Im-SRP, 22.4% +/- 6.6% for Im-SR, and 27.7% +/- 7.2% for delayed SR (p < 0.01 for each group versus control). The mean CS pressure (in mm Hg) during treatment was 6.3 +/- 1.7 for the control group, 25.7 +/- 4.5 for Im-PICSO, 22.8 +/- 3.7 for Im-SRP, 5.0 +/- 1.5 for Im-SR, and 6.3 +/- 2.1 for delayed SR (p < 0.01 for Im-PICSO and Im-SRP versus control). CONCLUSIONS: The simplified retroperfusion technique is as effective as PICSO and SRP in salvaging ischemic myocardium, but is considerably simpler. The simplified retroperfusion technique is inherently safer because of the lower CS pressures imposed by low flows and the lack of CS balloon obstruction. The efficacy of delayed SR has profound implications on possible mechanisms of ischemic myocardial salvage. Further investigation is warranted.

Animals↗

Contemporary practice of coronary revascularization in U.S. hospitals and hospitals participating in the bypass angioplasty revascularization investigation (BARI).

OBJECTIVES: To assess generalizability of the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI), we conducted a separate study comparing revascularization in U.S. and BARI hospitals. BACKGROUND: The BARI trial is a multicenter investigation comparing initial revascularization with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary bypass graft surgery in patients with symptomatic multivessel coronary disease. METHODS: All revascularization procedures during 5 consecutive workdays were surveyed at 75 U.S. hospitals offering coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery and at all BARI hospitals. Data collected were demographics, extent of disease and type of current and previous revascularization. RESULTS: At both U.S. and BARI hospitals, 57% of all revascularization procedures were coronary angioplasty and 43% were bypass surgery. The U.S. hospitals had more patients with single-vessel disease, acute myocardial infarction and primary procedures. Other characteristics were similar. The majority of revascularization procedures were angioplasty for single-vessel disease (U.S. 32% vs. BARI 25%) and bypass surgery for triple-vessel disease (U.S. 31% vs. BARI 31%). Overall, the choice between bypass surgery and angioplasty was similar in BARI and U.S. hospitals (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.0, p = 0.914). However, older patients were more likely and younger patients less likely to undergo bypass surgery in BARI versus U.S. hospitals (older patients: adjusted OR 1.6, p = 0.031; younger patients: adjusted OR 0.6, p = 0.028). The BARI protocol would have excluded 65% of all candidates for revascularization, for whom indications already exist for angioplasty or bypass surgery, and another 23%, for whom angioplasty would be contraindicated for individual lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing coronary revascularization in BARI and U.S. hospitals were generally similar, as was the choice between types of revascularization. Results from the BARI trial apply to approximately 300 (12%) candidates for coronary revascularization/workday.

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Heparin-bonded circuits with a reduced anticoagulation protocol in primary CABG: a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of patients undergoing primary coronary revascularization require homologous transfusions. To address this problem, a comprehensive strategy to diminish perioperative blood loss was developed. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that "tip-to-tip" heparin-bonded cardiopulmonary bypass circuits (HBC) can further enhance blood conservation and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting. Two hundred thirty-four patients were treated with either HBC and lower anticoagulation therapy (activated clotting time > 280 seconds) or with conventional, nonheparin-bonded circuits and full anticoagulation therapy (activated clotting time > 480 seconds). RESULTS: Preoperative and intraoperative risk profiles and characteristics were similar in both groups, with 69.7% of the patients undergoing nonelective coronary artery bypass grafting. Compared with the group with nonheparin-bonded circuits, patients treated with HBC had a lower chest tube output in the first 24 hours (561 +/- 257 versus 651 +/- 403; p = 0.04), were less likely to receive blood products (31.6% versus 47.9%; p = 0.01), and required substantially fewer homologous donor units (1.98 +/- 4.8 versus 4.29 +/- 10.1; p = 0.029). Patients treated with HBC required a shorter duration of ventilatory support (13.2 +/- 16.9 versus 23.4 +/- 50.0 hours; p = 0.04), spent less time in the surgical intensive care unit (20.7 +/- 17.4 versus 35.5 +/- 61.7 hours; p = 0.01), spent fewer days in the hospital (6.0 +/- 2.5 versus 7.3 +/- 5.2 days; p = 0.02), and had fewer postoperative complications (25.6% versus 39.3%; p = 0.03). The use of HBC with a lower anticoagulation protocol was not associated with any adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the use of HBC with a lower anticoagulation protocol in primary coronary artery bypass grafting safely and effectively reduces the incidence and magnitude of homologous transfusion, the duration of ventilation, and surgical intensive care unit and hospital stays.

Aged↗

Determinants of length of stay after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Rising healthcare costs have prompted limitations in the length of stay (LOS) for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Because not all patients are candidates for early discharge, in the present study our aim was to determine factors that prolong LOS. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 194 consecutive patients undergoing CABG procedures, LOS was > 7 days in 37%. Stepwise multiple regression procedures and chi 2 testing were used to determine what factors prolonged LOS for > 7 days. Preoperative factors that significantly (P < .05) prolonged LOS included repeat CABG, CABG plus valve surgery, congestive heart failure, preoperative coronary care unit stay, renal failure, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Patients with at least one risk factor had a significantly higher incidence of LOS of > 7 days (47% versus 17%; P < .001). Significant (P < .05) postoperative factors prolonging LOS included arrhythmias, respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia, and wound infection. Of patients with at least one risk factor, 83% had LOS of > 7 days (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of certain preoperative and post-operative risk factors can be predicted to prolong LOS after CABG surgery. This should be taken into consideration when defining reimbursement policies.

Aged↗

Clinical and operative characteristics of patients randomized to coronary artery bypass surgery in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI).

The surgical cohort of the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI) is the largest group of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease randomly assigned to surgical treatment. This report presents baseline and operative characteristics of the cohort and describes some aspects of the variability in surgical practice among the 14 primary clinical centers and 4 co-investigational sites participating in BARI. Preoperative clinical and angiographic data and intraoperative variables were reviewed in 892 patients who were randomly assigned to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and underwent operation. Associations between patient/lesion variables and operative characteristics are described. Of patients assigned to CABG, 87% underwent an operation within 2 weeks of randomization, as recommended in the protocol. Mean age of the 892 patients was 61 years, and mean age of the 235 women was greater than that of men (64 years vs 60 years); 64% of the surgical patients were classified as having unstable angina during the 6 weeks prior to randomization. Coronary angiography demonstrated 3-vessel disease (50% diameter narrowing by caliper measurement) in 41% of patients, and disease of the left anterior descending coronary artery was present in 87% of patients. A mean of 3.1 coronary arteries per patient were bypassed, and 82% of patients received 1 (70%) or 2 (12%) internal thoracic artery grafts. Prevalence of internal thoracic grafts was lower in elderly patients (74% of patients > or = 70 years), in women (72% vs 85% in men; p < 0.01), and in black participants (65%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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