Journal of cardiac surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Higher levels of serum cytokines and myocardial tissue markers during on-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.
Increased Troponin I levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines have been reported in most patients undergoing cardiac surgery, ascribed to the type and extent of surgery, reperfusion injury, and the method of myocardial protection. We investigated their levels in patients undergoing on-pump (CCAB) or off-pump (OPCAB) coronary artery bypass surgery and whether these correlated with the extent of myocardial injury. One hundred twenty patients were prospectively randomized to undergo OPCAB (n = 60) or CCAB (n = 60). ⋯ Thus, OPCAB surgery is associated with reduced levels of Troponin I and activation of cytokines, compared to those in the CCAB group. High levels of these factors could correlate with myocardial damage during coronary artery bypass surgery. This finding warrants further laboratory and clinical confirmation in the future.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Ineffectiveness of local wound anesthesia to reduce postoperative pain after median sternotomy.
Postoperative pain control still represents a major challenge in every surgical field. Bupivacaine wound infiltration is frequently used to reduce the pain related to the surgical incision itself. In this randomized study, we investigated the efficacy of bupivacaine local anesthesia after median sternotomy to reduce postoperative pain. ⋯ Extubation time, postoperative arterial blood gases, postoperative pain (assessed by means of a visual analog scale), and morphine consumption were the endpoints of the study. Patients of group C were extubated earlier; blood gases and VAS values were similar in both group. Bupivacaine local analgesia did not improve postoperative pain control after median sternotomy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The reinforced sternal closure system is reliable to use in elderly patients.
Sternal dehiscence is a rare, but serious complication after cardiac surgery procedures when performed through mid-line sternotomy. Osteoporosis, especially at advanced age, may be a significant factor in the unfavorable results of sternum fixation. The present prospective, randomized study was carried out to evaluate whether the reinforced sternal-closure system is an effective and safe fixation and approximation of the sternum in cardiac procedures, and to compare with the conventional sternal-closure method in elderly patients. ⋯ The reinforced sternal-closure system provided no additional risk with similar postoperative pain index and postoperative hospital stay compared with conventional method. It is reliable to use in elderly patients undergoing open heart surgery, in the cases presenting a risk factor such as osteoporosis for increased incidence of sternal dehiscence.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Inhaled prostacyclin, nitric oxide, and nitroprusside in pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement.
Pulmonary hypertension increases morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing heart surgery. Mitral valve stenosis is frequently associated with an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Cardiopulmonary bypass exacerbates pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic effects of inhaled prostacyclin and nitric oxide and the administration of i.v. nitroprusside during cardiac surgery with a clinical, pharmacodynamic dose-response, prospective, randomized, and double-blind study (Group A: inhaled prostacyclin; Group B: inhaled nitric oxide; Group C: nitroprusside). ⋯ Inhaled prostacyclin and nitric oxide are effective in the treatment of postoperative pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral valve stenosis undergoing mitral valve surgery. Both drugs improve cardiac output and reduce mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and trans-pulmonary gradient. They may be useful in patients with acute right ventricular failure following cardiac surgery. In comparison to nitric oxide, inhaled prostacyclin is free from toxic side effects and is easier to administer.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effect of timing of chest tube removal on development of pericardial effusion following cardiac surgery.
There are no standard criteria for the timing of drain removal. The objective of this study was to determine whether the macroscopic appearance of chest tube drainage fluid to serosanguineous may be used as a criteria for drain removal. ⋯ It is safe to remove the chest tubes as soon as the macroscopic appearance of the drainage fluid turns to serosanguineous since this practically indicates cessation of active bleeding.