NSTEMI患者行非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术的时机选择

目的:探讨非ST段抬高型急性心肌梗死(NSTEMI)患者行非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术(OPCAB)的时机选择。方法:回顾性分析我院心脏外科2009年5月至2015年5月完成的261例行OPCAB的NSTEMI患者资料,按术前心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)水平分为两组。A组cTnⅠ0.15ng/mL(n=103),B组cTnⅠ≤0.15ng/mL(n=158),比较两组患者手术时间、血流动力学参数、术后住院时间及术后并发症等情况。结果:术后30d内A组死亡4例(3.9%),B组死亡2例(1.3%),两组比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。多因素分析提示高龄、术前cTnⅠ0.15ng/mL、NSTEMI后10d内手术为术后30d内主要心脑血管不良事件(MACCEs)发生的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论:为减少术后MACCEs事件的发生,建议于发生NSTEMI 10d后,且cTnⅠ降至0.15ng/mL以下时行OPCAB术。     

Hypothyroidism is associated with signs of endothelial dysfunction despite 1-year replacement therapy with levothyroxine

Objective Hypothyroidism is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk, not fully explained by classical risk factors. Instead, endothelial dysfunction may link hypothyroidism to atherosclerosis. The effect of levothyroxine substitution on endothelial function has been sparsely studied and the results are unclear. This study tested endothelial function as estimated by concomitant measurements of endothelial dependent vascular dilatory capacity and plasma concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen in patients with hypothyroidism and further examined the impact of subsequent levothyroxine substitution. Design and patients Sixteen consecutive patients (13 women, 3 men, aged 46 ± 11 years) with hypothyroidism were included and compared to 16 matched healthy controls (13 women, 3 men, aged 49 ± 11 years). Patients with hypothyroidism were reexamined after 3, 6 and 12 months of levothyroxine substitution. Measurements Dilatory responses of the brachial artery to post‐ischaemic increased blood flow (endothelium‐dependent flow‐associated dilatation) and to nitroglycerin (endothelium‐independent nitroglycerin induced dilatation) were measured by ultrasound. Plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor antigen were measured by ELISA. Results Flow‐associated dilatation was impaired in patients with hypothyroidism as compared to controls (102·7 ± 3·6 vs. 105·6 ± 3·8%, P = 0·04) whereas no differences in plasma concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen were found. One year levothyroxine substitution did not improve flow‐associated dilatation and was associated with an increase of the plasma von Willebrand factor antigen concentration. Conclusions Hypothyroid patients are characterized by endothelial dysfunction sustained despite long‐term levothyroxine substitution and potentially increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. Different estimates of endothelial dysfunction seem unequally influenced by hypothyroidism.     

冠状动脉介入治疗对冠心病患者肌钙蛋白I及血管性血友病因子的影响

目的研究冠状动脉支架植入术对冠心病患者血中心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)及血管性血友病因子(vWF)水平的影响。方法选择冠状动脉支架植入术患者110例为试验组;20例冠状动脉造影结果阳性,但未能进行介入治疗的患者作为对照组。术前和术后24 h检测cTnI和vWF。结果试验组术前和术后的cTnI值分别为(0.04±0.03)μg/L和(0.10±0.04)μg/L,两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而对照组术前和术后的cTnI值比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。试验组术前和术后的vWF水平分别为(123.75±32.77)%和(175.35±36.90)%,两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组vWF水平手术前后比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。而术后vWF水平及cTnI值试验组高于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。试验组术后cTnI与vWF呈线性相关(r=0.80,P<0.05)。结论冠状动脉支架植入术后血cTnI和vWF值升高,提示有心肌的微小损伤及血管内皮损伤的存在。     

围术期应用胺碘酮预防治疗心脏术后心房颤动

目的评价心脏手术围术期预防性应用胺碘酮对术后心房颤动(简称房颤)的预防作用。方法采用双盲、随机研究,将124例心脏手术者随机分为胺碘酮组(n=64),对照组(n=60)。胺碘酮组术前每天服用胺碘酮200mg,3次/天,至少7天,术后改为每天口服200mg,1次/天,直到出院。对照组则服用安慰剂,其剂量及服药方法与胺碘酮组相同。术前服用时间为13±7天,总剂量为4.8±0.9g。结果胺碘酮组术后房颤发生率、房颤时的心室率均较对照组低(23.4%vs41.7%,112±21次/分vs135±31次/分,P均<0.05),两组围术期并发症的发生率及死亡率均无显著差异。胺碘酮组的住院时间较对照组短(14.9±3.3天vs20.5±2.6天,P<0.05)。结论心脏手术围术期预防性服用胺碘酮是安全的,并且能显著降低术后房颤的发生率及房颤发生时的心室率,缩短住院时间。     

Endothelial perturbation: a link between non-dipping and retinopathy in type 2 diabetes?

Reduced diurnal blood pressure (BP) variation (“non-dipping”) is associated with both micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. The relation between endothelial perturbation and diurnal BP variation in diabetic subjects has not previously been studied. Seventy-six subjects, stratified to 4 gender-, age-, and duration-matched groups of 19 subjects each, were studied (group A: non-diabetic subjects; group B to D, type 2 diabetic subjects; group B: no retinopathy; group C: minimal background retinopathy; group D: diabetic maculopathy). All subjects underwent a 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrinogen, E-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were measured in plasma. Systolic night/day BP ratio increased gradually in groups A to D: 85.2 ± 5%, 85.7 ± 7%, 88.5 ± 6%, and 90.5 ± 7%, respectively, P < .05. Among diabetic patients, non-dippers had significantly higher plasma levels of vWF and fibrinogen than dippers (median/interquartile range 1.7/1.4 to 2.1 vs. 1.2/0.9 to 1.5 U/mL, P < .01 and 3.6/3.6 to 3.7 vs. 2.9/2.5 to 3.6 g/L, P = .01). Non-dipping is associated with elevated plasma levels of proteins related to endothelial cell activation as well as with retinopathy in subjects with type 2 diabetes. This finding suggests a possible mechanism linking non-dipping with microvascular complications in these subjects.     

ABO blood group and bleeding after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Low circulating von Willebrand factor levels increase the risk of bleeding after cardiac surgery. Patients with blood group O may be at greatest risk owing to lower baseline levels of von Willebrand factor compared with patients with other blood groups, and perioperative hemodilution during cardiac surgery may reduce von Willebrand factor to critical levels in these patients. This study tested the hypothesis that patients with blood group O are at increased risk for postoperative bleeding following cardiac surgery, and determined whether the blood group affected perioperative assessment of primary hemostasis. Using multivariate linear regression models that included preoperative and intraoperative covariates, the risk factors for postoperative bleeding were evaluated in 877 patients undergoing primary, nonemergent coronary artery bypass surgery at a university hospital. In a subset of these patients, we measured perioperative in-vitro bleeding times (PFA-100 analyzer) to determine whether there were measurable differences in primary hemostasis between patients with blood type O and those with other blood groups. Patients with blood group O did not have increased bleeding after cardiac surgery compared with patients with other blood types. In addition, while blood group O patients had laboratory evidence for abnormal primary hemostasis before surgery, there were no measurable differences in postoperative primary hemostasis in patients with different blood types. In conclusion, although we identified clinical and procedural factors that were independently associated with bleeding, blood group was not one of these factors.     

Biomarkers of lung injury after one-lung ventilation for lung resection

Background and objective: Acute lung injury contributes to the mortality of patients after lung resection and one‐lung ventilation (OLV). The objective of this study was to characterise the effect of lung resection and OLV on proposed biomarkers of lung injury in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and plasma. Methods: In adults undergoing lung resection, EBC was collected before and at 30‐min intervals during OLV. Inflammatory mediators were assayed in plasma samples taken preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and 24 h postoperatively. Results: EBC pH decreased from 6.51 ± 0.43 preoperatively, to 6.17 ± 0.78 and 6.09 ± 0.83 at 30 and 60 min, respectively (mean ± SD, P = 0.034, n = 20). Plasma concentrations of the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products, von Willebrand factor and interleukin‐6 increased comparing preoperative and postoperative samples (all P < 0.001, n = 30). By contrast, levels of Krebs von den Lungen‐6 and surfactant protein‐D decreased (P < 0.001, n = 30), and correlated inversely with the extent of lung resected. Conclusions: Lung resection and OLV was associated with a rapid reduction in EBC pH and differential changes in plasma biomarkers of lung injury. Further investigation of EBC pH as a marker of ventilator‐induced lung injury is warranted.     

Aspirin-induced platelet inhibition in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Platelet function and response to pharmacological inhibition are altered by cardiac surgery. For example, aggregation is increased early after aortic valve replacement (AVR) and platelet response to aspirin is often insufficient after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We hypothesized that the effect of aspirin administration after cardiac surgery might be impaired due to platelet activation. Therefore, the antiplatelet effect of aspirin was compared in patients (n?=?20 per group) after CABG and AVR surgery (bileaflet prosthesis). Arachidonic acid-induced aggregation (turbidimetry) and thromboxane formation (radioimmunoassay) were determined before and 1, 5, and 10 days after surgery. In CABG-patients, antiplatelet treatment had been discontinued 10 days before surgery. Oral aspirin was started on day 1 after CABG. AVR-patients did not receive oral aspirin. Before surgery, platelet aggregation and thromboxane formation were significantly higher in patients with aortic stenosis. After CABG, thromboxane formation was not significantly changed from control values before surgery (66?±?13% on day 10) despite oral aspirin treatment, whereas thromboxane formation in patients undergoing AVR significantly increased compared to values before surgery (216?±?29% on day 10). In both groups of patients, 100?µmol/l aspirin in vitro largely inhibited platelet function before surgery, with markedly attenuated effects after surgery. In conclusion, thromboxane formation increased after AVR but not after CABG. The antiplatelet effect of aspirin, therefore, may be impaired after CABG by increased platelet activity. An additional in vitro “resistance” of platelets was seen after both CABG and AVR.     

Peri‐operative continuation of metformin does not improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

Historically, metformin was withheld before surgery for fear of metformin‐associated lactic acidosis. Currently, however, this risk is deemed to be low and guidelines have moved towards the continuation of metformin. We hypothesized that continuing metformin peri‐operatively would lower postoperative serum glucose level without an effect on plasma lactate levels. We performed a single‐blind multicentre randomized controlled trial in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus scheduled for non‐cardiac surgery and continued (MF+ group) or withheld (MF‐ group) metformin before surgery. The main outcome measures were the differences in peri‐operative plasma glucose and lactate levels. We randomized 70 patients (37 MF+ group and 33 MF‐ group) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Postoperative glucose levels were similar in the MF+ and the MF‐ groups (8.2 ± 1.8 vs 8.3 ± 2.3 mmol/L P = .95) Although preoperative lactate levels were slightly higher in the MF+ group compared with the MF‐ group (1.5 vs 1.2 mmol/L; P = .02), the postoperative lactate levels were not significantly different (1.2 vs 1.0 mmol/L; P = .18). In conclusion, continuation of metformin during elective non‐cardiac surgery does not improve glucose control or raise lactate levels to a clinically relevant degree.     

Effects of different doses of ticagrelor on platelet aggregation and endothelial function in diabetic patients with stable coronary artery disease

We performed this study to observe the effects of different doses of ticagrelor and standard-dose clopidogrel on platelet reactivity and endothelial function in diabetic patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Sixty type 2 diabetic patients were assigned to one-quarter standard-dose ticagrelor, half standard-dose ticagrelor, standard-dose ticagrelor and standard-dose clopidogrel groups. Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and VerifyNow assay were used to measure platelet function. Endothelial function was assessed by measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) examined the Interleukin-8(IL-8) and IL-10. The results suggested that the one-quarter dose (34.0%± 14.7%), half-dose (26.9%± 11.6%) and standard-dose (17.3%± 10.3%) ticagrelor showed lower platelet aggregation rate than clopidogrel (52.8%± 18.3%; P ＜0.0001). PRU values in three ticagrelor groups were lower than that in clopidogrel group (102 (76–184);75 (33–88);38 (11–52) versus 194 (138–271) and;P ＜0.0001). FMD levels were higher in ticagrelor groups compared with baseline levels while lower in clopidogrel group after treatment. However, no significant differences were found in the percentage increase in the FMD between ticagrelor groups and clopidogrel group. The levels of VWF after treatment were lower than the baseline levels, but there was no statistically significant difference between ticagrelor group and clopidogrel group after treatment. The concentration of IL-8 and IL-10 were decreased in patients with half and standard-dose ticagrelor group. In conclusion, one-quarter standard-dose ticagrelor produced similar inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation as standard-dose clopidogrel in diabetic patients with stable CAD. The half standard-dose ticagrelor had a similar inhibitory effect on platelet inhibition as standard-dose ticagrelor, which was stronger than that of clopidogrel. Moreover, the half-dose ticagrelor had equal protection of endothelial function and inhibition of inflammatory factor as standard-dose ticagrelor.     

Myocardial ischemia enhances the expression of acidic fibroblast growth factor in human pericardial fluid

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a potent mitogen that can induce angiogenesis in vivo. We have recently reported a marked increase of basic FGF in the pericardial fluid of patients with severe coronary stenosis and an increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pericardial fluid of patients with severe myocardial ischemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether acidic FGF levels in the pericardial fluid are associated with severe myocardial ischemia. Immediately after incision of the pericardium in 48 patients during open-heart surgery, 3–5 ml of pericardial fluid was obtained. Concentrations of basic FGF and VEGF in the pericardial fluid were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ELISA system for human acidic FGF was newly developed using a rabbit antibovine acidic FGF antibody. The patients were divided into three groups (group A: 13 patients undergoing emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for unstable angina; group B: 17 patients undergoing elective CABG for stable angina; group C: 18 patients undergoing nonischemic open-heart surgery). The VEGF level in the pericardial fluid in group A was 68 ± 59 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than 33 ± 9 pg/ml in group B and 31 ± 20 pg/ml in group C (P < 0.05). The concentrations of basic FGF in the pericardial fluid in groups A and B were 722 ± 601 and 773 ± 763 pg/ml, respectively, significantly higher than 263 ± 349 pg/ml in group C. The pericardial acidic FGF level in group A was 4 291 ± 2 336 pg/ml, which was also significantly higher than 2 386 ± 1 048 pg/ml in group B and 2 589 ± 990 pg/ml in group C (P < 0.05). The acidic FGF level correlated well with the level of VEGF (r = 0.61, P < 0.0001). It is concluded that the level of acidic FGF in pericardial fluid is associated with severe myocardial ischemia. This result indicates that the release of acidic FGF from the myocardial tissue into pericardial fluid is closely related to severe myocardial ischemia. Received: August 2, 2000 / Accepted: October 14, 2000     

Effect of timing of chronic preoperative aspirin discontinuation on morbidity and mortality in patients having combined coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgery

The objective of this study was to determine if late use of aspirin before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with valve surgery affects bleeding events and major adverse cardiovascular events. Aspirin has been shown to decrease postoperative CABG mortality and ischemic events. There are no data on the time of aspirin discontinuation and its effect on CABG with valve surgery and bleeding complications. From January 1, 2002 to January 31, 2008, 1,963 patients undergoing nonurgent plus valve surgery at the Cleveland Clinic were on preoperative aspirin; 1,404 (72%) discontinued aspirin ≥ 6 days before surgery (early discontinuation) and 559 (28%) continued aspirin within 5 days of surgery (late use). Propensity-score analysis and matching were employed for fair comparison of outcomes. There was no difference between early-discontinuation and late-use groups in the composite outcome of in-hospital mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke (5.3% in the 2 groups). More patients in the late-use group received postoperative transfusions (49% vs 42%, p = 0.02). There was a trend toward increased reoperation for bleeding (6.1% vs 3.7%, p = 0.08) in the late-use group. In conclusion, in patients undergoing CABG with valve surgery, there was an increased use of postoperative red blood cell transfusion and a trend toward increased reoperation for bleeding in the late-use group. There was no difference in major adverse cardiac events between groups. Late use of aspirin in CABG with valve surgery must be weighed against an increased risk of bleeding.     

Assessment of the antiplatelet effects of low to medium dose aspirin in the early and late phases after ischaemic stroke and TIA

Vascular events commonly recur in stroke patients on aspirin, and may reflect incomplete inhibition of platelet function with aspirin therapy. The platelet function analyser (PFA-100) activates platelets by aspirating a blood sample at a moderately high shear rate through a capillary to a biologically active membrane with a central aperture. The membrane is coated with collagen, and either ADP (C-ADP) or epinephrine (C-EPI). The time taken for activated platelets to adhere, aggregate, and occlude the aperture is called the closure time. Previous studies have shown that aspirin prolongs the C-EPI closure time, without prolongation of the C-ADP closure time, in the majority of control subjects. We hypothesised that the PFA-100 would provide a sensitive assay for the detection of early and convalescent phase cerebrovascular disease (CVD) patients who had incomplete inhibition of platelet function with aspirin. We investigated potential cyclooxygenase-dependent and -independent mechanisms that might influence the responsiveness to aspirin using the PFA-100. Patients were studied during the early (≤4 weeks, n?=?57) and convalescent phases (≥3 months, n?=?46) after ischaemic stroke or TIA. To investigate potential mechanisms that could contribute to aspirin responsiveness on the PFA-100, we measured von Willebrand factor antigen levels, and carried out platelet aggregometry experiments in platelet-rich plasma in response to sodium arachidonate (1?mM) and ADP (5?µM). Sixty percent of patients in the early phase and 43% of patients in the convalescent phase did not have prolonged C-EPI closure times on 75–300?mg of aspirin daily, and were defined as aspirin non-responders. Median C-ADP closure times were significantly shorter in aspirin non-responders than aspirin-responders in both the early and convalescent phases after symptom onset (P?≤?0.008), suggesting platelet hyper-reactivity to collagen or ADP in the aspirin non-responder subgroup. There was a significant inverse relationship between plasma von Willebrand factor antigen levels and C-EPI closure times in both early and convalescent phase CVD patients (P?≤?0.008). Mean von Willebrand factor antigen levels were significantly higher in aspirin non-responders than aspirin responsive patients in the early (P?=?0.001), but not convalescent phase (P?=?0.2) after stroke and TIA. None of the patients studied were defined as being aspirin-resistant using sodium arachidonate- or ADP-induced platelet aggregometry. A large proportion of ischaemic CVD patients have incomplete inhibition of platelet function with low to medium dose aspirin using the PFA-100. The results suggest that cyclooxygenase-independent mechanisms, including elevated von Willebrand factor antigen levels, play an important role in mediating aspirin non-responsiveness on the PFA-100.     

The use of high-dose melatonin in liver resection is safe: first clinical experience

Abstract: Experimental data suggest that melatonin decreases inflammatory changes after major liver resection, thus positively influencing the postoperative course. To assess the safety of a preoperative single dose of melatonin in patients undergoing major liver resection, a randomized controlled double‐blind pilot clinical trial with two parallel study arms was designed at the Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, Ruprecht‐Karls‐University, Heidelberg. A total of 307 patients, who were referred for liver surgery, were screened. One hundred and thirteen patients, for whom a major liver resection (≥3 segments) was scheduled, were eligible. Sixty‐three eligible patients refused to participate, and therefore, 50 patients were randomized. A preoperative single dose of melatonin (50 mg/kg BW) dissolved in 250 mL of milk was administered through the gastric tube after the intubation for general anesthesia. Controls were given the same amount of microcrystalline cellulose. Primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints were postoperative complications. Melatonin was effectively absorbed with serum concentrations of 1142.8 ± 7.2 ng/mL (mean ± S.E.M.) versus 0.3 ± 7.8 ng/mL in controls (P < 0.0001). Melatonin treatment resulted in lower postoperative transaminases over the study period (P = 0.6). There was no serious adverse event in patients after melatonin treatment. A total of three infectious complications occurred in either group. A total of eight noninfectious complications occurred in five control patients, whereas three noninfectious complications occurred in three patients receiving preoperative melatonin (P = 0.3). There was a trend toward shorter ICU stay and total hospital stay after melatonin treatment. Therefore, a single preoperative enteral dose of melatonin is effectively absorbed and is safe and well tolerated in patients undergoing major liver surgery.     

Additive effect of homocysteine- and cholesterol-lowering therapy on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with cardiovascular disease

Aim : Endothelial dysfunction is a marker for development and progression of atherosclerosis. Statin therapy improves endothelial function in cardiovascular patients by reducing LDL‐cholesterol and by pleiotropic effects. B‐group vitamin supplementation restores endothelial function mainly by reducing homocysteine‐induced oxidative stress. Thus, we evaluated the effect of rosuvastatin, B‐group vitamins and their combination on endothelial function in high‐risk cardiovascular patients. Methods : Thirty‐six patients with cardiovascular disease were randomly, double‐blinded assigned to either rosuvastatin 10 mg (group R, n = 18) or vitamin supplementation consisting of folic acid 1 mg, vitamin B12 0.4 mg, and B6 10 mg (group V, n = 18) for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks all patients received rosuvastatin and vitamin supplementation in combination for additional 6 weeks. Endothelial function was assessed by flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD) at baseline and after 6‐ and 12‐week treatment. Results : At baseline, FMD, plasma lipids, vitamins, and homocysteine were comparable between both groups. After 6 weeks, FMD improved in both groups (from 4.4 ± 1.6 to 6.9 ± 1.4% group R, P= 0.0004 and from 4.9 ± 1.8 to 6.4 ± 1.8% group V, P= 0.0002). This improvement in FMD was mainly associated with a decrease of plasma lipids in group R and a decrease of homocysteine in group V. After 12 weeks, the combined therapy with rosuvastatin and vitamins further improved FMD to the normal range in 26/33 patients compared to 5/36 at baseline (P < 0.0001). Conclusions : In conclusion, both treatments, rosuvastatin and B‐group vitamin supplementation, improved endothelial function in high‐risk cardiovascular patients. The combination of both therapies had an additive effect on endothelial function suggesting different mechanisms of action.     

Acute and long‐term clinical and angiographic outcomes of coronary stenting using Palmaz‐Schatz stent and ACS Multi‐Link stent

Acute and long‐term (≥ 3 years) outcomes of coronary artery stenting using Palmaz‐Schatz and Multi‐Link stent implantations between November 1995 and October 1999 were analyzed. There were 655 Palmaz‐Schatz stent implantations in 577 lesions on 477 patients (group A) and 428 Multi‐Link stent implantations in 381 lesions on 326 patients (group B). The baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Group B had more complex lesions, longer stenotic lesions, and larger reference vessel sizes than group A. However, both groups had a similar in‐hospital cardiac events. Four hundred and two patients with 488 lesions in group A and 260 patients with 307 lesions in group B underwent a 6‐month follow‐up coronary angiography. The restenotic rate per lesion was 16% in both groups (P = 0.872). A 3‐year angiographic follow‐up was performed in 262 patients of group A (301 lesions) and 139 patients of group B (162 lesions), and restenosis was noted in only 3 patients (1.36%) in group A and 5 patients (4%) in group B, in which the lesion was patent at the 6‐month angiographic follow‐up. Significant increase in minimal luminal diameter was noted from 2.23 ± 0.66 mm at 6 months to 2.33 ± 0.64 mm in group A (P < 0.01), and insignificant increase from 2.23 ± 0.77 to 2.28 ± 0.82 mm was noted in group B (P = 0.27). No differences were noted between the two groups in mortality, reinfarction, recurrent angina, target lesion angioplasty, or elective coronary artery bypass surgery during a follow‐up period of 60 ± 3 months. Forty‐five patients (9.4%) in group A and 18 patients (5.5%) in group B received additional stenting procedures for newly developed lesions. The overall cardiac event‐free survival was 66% in group A and 72% in group B (P = 0.844). In conclusion, the procedural success rate, in‐hospital morbidity, 6‐month angiographic results, and long‐term (≥ 3 years) clinical and angiographic outcomes were similar with coronary stenting using either Palmaz‐Schatz or Multi‐Link stent. The stented lesions were stable; however, late regression of minimal luminal diameter was noted in both groups, and progression of atherosclerotic change in the nonstented site was noted during long‐term follow‐up. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;62:453–460. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Response to aspirin and clopidogrel in patients scheduled to undergo cardiovascular surgery

Background Recent data indicate that among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention low platelet response to aspirin is associated with clopidogrel low response. It is unclear whether these findings extend to other patient populations. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the relation between response to aspirin and clopidogrel among patients scheduled to undergo cardiac or vascular surgery. Methods Patients who were scheduled for cardiac or vascular surgery and had taken aspirin 81–325 mg daily for at least a week and clopidogrel 75 mg daily for at least 3 days underwent blood testing for platelet function. One hundred patients were included in the current analysis. Platelet function was evaluated by the modified TEG platelet mapping assay with addition of ADP or arachidonic acid (AA), and by the PFA-100 assay with collagen-epinephrine (CEPI) or collagen-ADP (CADP) cartridges. Low response to aspirin or clopidogrel was defined as inhibition ≤20% for TEG-AA or TEG-ADP, respectively. Results Thirteen patients (13%) were low responders to aspirin and 34 (34%) were low responders to clopidogrel. Eight patients were low responders to both drugs. There were no differences in clinical characteristics between drug low responders versus sensitive patients. Aspirin low responders had lower TEG-ADP inhibition (19.5 ± 6 vs. 35.8 ± 3%, P = 0.03) and tended to have lower PFA-CADP time (84.7 ± 7 vs. 105.6 ± 5 s, P = 0.1) than aspirin sensitive patients. Clopidogrel low responders had lower TEG-AA inhibition (58 ± 6 vs. 75.1 ± 4%, P = 0.01) and PFA-CEPI time (168 ± 13 vs. 200.4 ± 10 s, P = 0.07) than clopidogrel sensitive patients. Conclusions In patients scheduled to undergo cardiovascular surgery low response to aspirin is associated with low response to clopidogrel.     

Implications of preoperative administration of aspirin in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study on Antiplatelet Therapy

The perioperative consequences of preoperative aspirin administration were assessed in a large prospective cooperative study of 772 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The 772 patients were randomized to receive either aspirin (325 mg once a day), aspirin (325 mg three times a day), aspirin plus dipyridamole (325 and 75 mg together three times a day) (aspirin group), sulfinpyrazone (267 mg three times a day) or placebo (nonaspirin group). The therapy, except in the aspirin group, was started 48 h before the operation. In all aspirin subgroups, one 325 mg aspirin dose was given 12 h before surgery and maintained thereafter according to the assigned regimen. Patients in the aspirin group had significantly more postoperative bleeding and received more packed blood cells and blood products than did patients in the nonaspirin group. Although total operative duration and cardiopulmonary bypass duration were not different, the interval between completion of cardiopulmonary bypass and wound closure was significantly longer (p = 0.035) in the aspirin group. Thirty-one (6.6%) of 471 patients in the aspirin group and 5 (1.7%) of 301 patients in the nonaspirin group also required reoperation for control of postoperative bleeding (p = 0.002). The site of bleeding found at reoperation was not different between the two groups. There was no difference in operative mortality rates, incidence of other bleeding complications or occurrence of other post-operative complications between the two groups. Thus, antiplatelet regimens involving preoperative initiation of aspirin therapy, which has been shown to improve graft patency, increase the risk of abnormal postoperative bleeding and the need for reoperation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Abdominal Surgery Affects Small Bowel Transit Time and Completeness of Capsule Endoscopy

The aim of the study was to evaluate bowel dysmotility in patients with a history of abdominal surgery by measuring both gastric transit time and small bowel transit time during capsule endoscopy and assessing the completeness of the examination. The study included 26 patients who had undergone abdominal surgery (postoperative group) and 52 patients who had not (control group). The capsule reached the cecum in 50.0% of the postoperative group and 80.8% of the control group (P = 0.005). While there was no significant difference in gastric transit time between the two groups (P = 0.882), small bowel transit time was significantly longer in the postoperative group (338.3 ± 119.2 min) than in the control group (266.4 ± 110.8 min, P = 0.010). This is the first study to report that the small bowel transit time during capsule endoscopy is prolonged in patients who had a history of abdominal surgery, resulting in a lower frequency of complete examination.     

Application of 3D-computed tomography angiography technology in large meningioma resection

ObjectiveTo discuss the role of 3D-computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) technology in reducing injuries of large meningioma surgery.Methods3D-CTA preoperative examinations were done in 473 patients with large meningioma (simulated group). The images were analyzed by 3D post-processing workstation. By observing the major intracranial blood vessels, venous sinus, and the compression and invasion pattern in the nerve region, assessing risk level of the surgery, simulating the surgical procedures, the surgical removal plan, surgical routes and tumor blood-supplying artery embolisation plan were performed. Two hundred and fifty seven large meningioma patients who didn't underwent 3D-CTA preoperative examination served as control group. The incidence of postoperative complications, intraoperative blood transfusion and the operation time were compared between these two groups.ResultsCompared with the control group, the Simpson's grade I and II resection rate was 80.3% (380/473), similar with that of the control (81.3%, 209/257). The incidence of postoperative complications in 3D-CTA simulated group was 37.0% which was significantly lower than that (48.2%) of the control (P<0.01). The intraoperative blood supply for simulated group and the control was (523.4±208.1) mL and (592.0±263.3) mL, respectively, with significant difference between two groups (P<0.01). And the operation time [(314.8±106.3)] min was significantly lower in simulated group than that in the control [(358.4±147.9) min] (P<0.01).ConclusionApplication of 3D-CTA imaging technology in risk level assessment before large-scaled meningioma resection could assist in the rational planning of tumor resectin, surgical routes, and is helpful in reducing injuries and complications and enhancing the prognosis of the patients.