The role of genetics in coronary artery bypass surgery patients under 30 years of age

Aim: We undertook genetic assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) in 20 patients aged 30 years or less undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, to investigate the prognostic value of pre-defined genes.Methods: Twenty patients, who underwent CABG surgery between December 2001 and May 2013, were retrospectively analysed to find out the role their genetic make-up played in their disease. We used three genetic diagnostic tests, the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 gene, the A1/A2 polymorphism of glycoprotein IIIa (GpIIIa) gene, and common polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene.Results: The mean age of patients was 26.35 ± 3.51 (19­30) years, and 90% were male (n = 18). One patient had diabetes, three had hypertension, 11 (55%) had dyslipidaemia and 16 (80%) were smokers. Eight of the patients (40%) had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%, and functional capacity was poor in only two (10%) patients (NYHA III­ IV). Follow up was completed in all patients (100%). We found five homozygous and 11 heterozygous mutations in the MTHFR gene, which predisposes individuals to coronary artery disease or deep-vein thrombosis. Eight patients were found to have a GpIIIa gene polymorphism, which is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Fifteen patients had a polymorphism in the promoter region of the PAI-1 gene, which is a major inhibitor of the fibrinolytic system. Conclusion: MTHFR C677T polymorphism, and GpIIIa and PAI-1 genes are risk factors for CAD. In young patients, genetic studies promise to revolutionise early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of CAD and MI

Alternative non-femoral accesses for intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Access from the femoral arteries to the thoracic aorta for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion may not be feasible in a substantial number of patients with severe peripheral vascular disease. Since using an alternative access is inevitable in a certain number of patients requiring IABP support, all alternative accesses should be added to the surgical armamentarium. Herein, we present our 27-year experience with different alternative accesses for IABP insertion following failed contraindication to femoral artery cannulation. The alternative techniques described below were: transthoracic insertion with a tube graft, transthoracic insertion - direct, transaxillary/subclavian insertion and transbrachial insertion.

Effect of hypothermia in patients undergoing simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether hypothermia provided any benefit in patients undergoing simultaneous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) using one of two different surgical strategies. METHODS: Group 1 patients (n = 34, 88.2% male, mean age 65.94 ± 6.67 years) underwent CEA under moderate hypothermia before cross clamping the aorta, whereas group 2 patients (n = 23, 69.6% male, mean age 65.78 ± 9.29 years) underwent CEA under normothermic conditions before initiating cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Primary outcome of interest was the occurrence of any new neurological event. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of baseline characteristics. Permanent impairment occurred in one patient (2.9%) in group 1. One patient from each group (2.9 and 4.37%) had transient neurological events and they recovered completely on the sixth and 11th postoperative days, respectively. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to occurrence of early neurological outcomes (n = 2, 5.8 % vs n = 1, 4.3 %, p = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: This study could not provide evidence regarding benefit of hypothermia in simultaneous operations for carotid and coronary artery disease because of the low occurrence rate of adverse outcomes. The single-stage operation is safe and completion of the CEA before CPB may be considered when short duration of CPB is required.

Pseudoaneurysm of brachiocephalic artery caused by blunt chest trauma.

Traumatic aneurysms of the brachiocephalic artery may cause mostly nonspecific symptoms, which may lead to a misdiagnosis with serious complications. This report describes a 27-year-old woman with a traumatic aneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery,suffering from lung symptoms. Brachiocephalic aneurysm and bronchiectasis were diagnosed by chest CT scan. A bypass from the ascending aorta to the distal brachiocephalic artery with a prosthetic graft and aneurysmectomy were performed without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient had an uneventful recovery.