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The aim of this study is to evaluate if a simple intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)-induced pulsatile perfusion reduces activation of coagulative system during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Ninety-six patients undergoing preoperative IABP were randomized to nonpulsatile CPB with IABP discontinued during cardioplegic arrest (Group A) or IABP-induced pulsatile CPB (Group B). White blood cells (WBC), hematocrit (Ht), platelets (PLTs), International Normalized Ratio (INR), fibrinogen, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin III (AT-III) activity, and D-dimer were measured at the end of surgery (ES) and postoperatively. Chest drainage, need for reexploration, and transfusions were compared. Group B showed lower chest drainage (1st day P = 0.038; 2nd day P = 0.044), transfusions (P = 0.031), WBC (P < 0.05 at all time points), and INR (P < 0.05 at all time points), together with a higher Ht (P < 0.05 at ES, 12 h), platelets (P < 0.04 at all time points), fibrinogen (P < 0.05 at ES, 12 h, 24 h), and aPTT (P < 0.05 at all time points). AT-III activity lowered in Group A (P = 0.001 at ES, 12 h, 24 h), together with higher D-dimer levels (P < 0.05 at all time points). IABP-induced pulsatile perfusion ameliorates coagulative system activation following CPB.

Radial artery coronary artery bypass grafting showed similar transit-time flowmetric functional results in elderly and young patients, regardless of the target vessel, the use or avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass, the construction of proximal anastomoses, and the presence of comorbidities. These data explain the reported better results of arterial revascularization in the elderly and suggest an increase in extensive radial artery grafting in the last decades of life.

SeqSV-CABG showed higher TTF flows, with no incremental risk for perioperative morbidity. Higher flows and graft flow reserve may allow lower treatment failure at mid-term follow-up.

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The miniaturization of IABP, with the recent introduction of a 7.5-Fr balloon catheter, opens the door for the safe, effective transbrachial method of insertion in patients with severe peripheral atherosclerosis.

Extensive arterial grafting (Art-CABG) in the elderly is still questioned due to the reduced life expectancy and the supposed higher periprocedural risk. Reports further demonstrated accelerated atherosclerosis of arterial grafts in the elderly, with hampered short-term and long-term results. We reviewed our experience of patients undergoing Art-CABG between January 2003 and January 2007, divided into two groups: the elderly (238 patients > or = 70 years; Group A) and the young (195 patients < or = 60 years; Group B). Transit time flowmetric (TTF) maximum and mean flow, pulsatility index (PI), and graft flow reserve (GFR) were compared. Hospital outcome was analyzed. Hospital mortality, need for intra-aortic balloon pump, troponin I, and echocardiographic segmental kinetics were comparable between the two groups (P = not significant [NS]). Stratifying patients for target vessels and type of arterial CABG, no differences in TTF results were recorded between the two groups either on-pump (P = NS) and off-pump (P = NS), both for the two internal mammary arteries (P = NS irrespective of the target vessel) and the radial artery conduits (P = NS irrespective of the target vessel). Although graft flow reserve was significantly recruited in all patients (P < 0.05 in young and elderly, either on-pump and off-pump, irrespective of the arterial conduit and the grafted vessel), GFR of all arterial grafts was comparable between elderly and young patients, either on-pump (P = NS) or off-pump (P = NS). Art-CABG showed similar TTF results in elderly and young patients, regardless of the arterial conduit, target vessel, or surgical technique employed. These functional results supported the reported survival benefit of arterial revascularization in the elderly.