Tehran University Medical Journal

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In the past, coronary artery bypass grafting was the treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic multi vessel coronary artery disease, but in recent years per cutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) accepted as an alternative approach to revascularization. To assess the initial success and in hospital results of coronary angioplasty of more than one lesion per procedure in patients with multi vessel coronary artery disease, a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent selective coronary angioplasty at Imam Khomeini medical center from 1994-1997 were peformed. From 1994 to 1997 per cutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were done in 257 patients, that 201 (78.2 percent) were male and their age range 23-73 years. The numbers of patients with multi vessel coronary artery disease were 98 (38.13 percent), that complete revascularization (PTCA of more than one lesion per procedure) underwent in 34 (13.58 percent) of them (27 men, 7 women, age: mean±SD 48±9.8 range 30-70). A total of 71 lesions were tried, that 22 (31 percent) were type A, 45 (63.4 percent) were type B, and 4 (5.6 percent) were type C. Among patients 21 (61.8 percent) had unstable angina and 13 (38.2 percent) had stable angina. Procedures were successful in 68 (95.8 percent) of lesions and 31 (91.2 percent) patients were discharged fro procedural complications included 3 (8.8 percent) non-Q wave myocardial infarction and no mortality. Without any complication, (success defined as residual stenosis <50 percent). As a conclusion, in selected patients with multi vessel coronary artery disease PTCA of more than one lesion per-procedure is effective and safe.

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Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common but benign arrhythmia following cardiac surgery. Although this arrhythmia is often self-limited and vanishes in about 24 hours upon surgery a number of arrhythmias might ensue among which some might be really life-threatening. A multitude of therapeutic modalities have been proposed for the prevention of this arrhythmia and one of them is posterior pericardiotomy. This method has not been fully accepted by the peers yet and more studies are needed to prove its efficacy and benefits to the patients. Methods: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, done over a 2-year period from February 2009 to January 2011, the effects of posterior pericardiotomy were evaluated in 174 patients (87 the case and 87 the control groups) undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The case group underwent CABG with posterior pericardiotomy while the control group underwent CABG-only operation. The postoperative incidence of arrhythmia, especially atrial fibrillation, was assessed for a week using statistical methods. Results: The prevalence of postoperative atrial fibrillations were fewer in the group undergoing CABG with posterior pericardiotomy compared with the CABG-only group (P<0.004). Conclusion: Posterior pericardiotomy seems to reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation following elective CABG therefore, its application is suggested for elective CABGs

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Background: Perioperative administration of tranexamic acid (TA), decreases bleeding and the need for transfusion after cardiac procedures. Hence, the results may vary in different clinical settings and the most appropriate timing to get the best results is unclear. The primary objectives of the present study were to determine the efficacy of TA in decreasing chest tube drainage, the need for perioperative allogeneic transfusions and the best timing for TA administration following primary, elective, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with a low baseline risk of postoperative bleeding.

Methods: In this double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Seiedoshohada Hospital during 2011-2012, we evaluated 150 patients scheduled for elective, primary coronary revascularization. They were randomly divided into three groups. Group B received tranexamic 10 mg/kg prior to, Group A received tranexamic acid 10 mg/kg after cardiopulmonary bypass and group C received an equivalent volume of saline solution. Blood requirement and postoperative chest tube drainage were recorded.

Results: The placebo group (group C) had a greater postoperative blood loss 12 h after surgery (501±288 vs. 395±184 in group B and 353±181 mL in group A, P=0.004). The placebo group also had greater postoperative total blood loss (800±347 vs. 614±276 in group B and 577±228 mL in group A, P=0.001). There was a significant increase in allogeneic blood requirement in the placebo group (P=0.001).

Conclusion: For elective, first time coronary artery bypass surgery, a single dose of tranexamic acid before or after cardiopulmonary bypass is equally effective.