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Routine intraoperative graft assessment is safe but does not lead to a marked reduction in graft occlusion 1-year after bypass grafting. The incidence of saphenous vein graft failure remains high despite contemporary practice and routine intraoperative graft surveillance.

Human chymase activates not only angiotensin II but also transforming growth factor-S , a major stimulator of myocardial fibrosis, while rat chymase activates transforming growth factor-S , but not angiotensin II. To clarify the role of chymase-dependent transforming growth factor-S activation, we evaluated whether chymase inhibition prevents cardiac fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction in rats. Myo-

Background-Although the MAZE procedure allows for the recovery of sinus rhythm and left atrial (LA) mechanical function in the great majority of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF), the effects of MAZE on the precise LA geometry and wall motion remain to be elucidated. We hypothesized that LA size and mechanical function in patients with chronic AF and mitral valvular disease are well restored after MAZE. In the CABG group, LA maximal and minimal volumes and ejection fraction were 109Ϯ12 mL, 82Ϯ11 mL, and 26Ϯ10%, respectively. In the MAZE group, LA maximal volume was 139Ϯ17 mL (Pϭ0.187 versus CABG), and LA minimal volume was 121Ϯ16 mL (Pϭ0.082 versus CABG), with an ejection fraction of 15Ϯ7% (Pϭ0.004 versus CABG). In both groups, all parts of the LA wall contracted toward the geometric center of the LA. The extent of wall motion was significantly worse in the MAZE group compared with the CABG group. In both groups, LA booster function was inversely correlated with LA maximal volume. Conclusions-MAZE

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Background-Left ventricular aneurysm repair (LVR) reduces LV wall stress and improves LV function. However, as we reported previously, the initial improvement of LVR was short-term because of LV remodeling but could be maintained longer with postoperative use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been used to treat patients with heart failure by natriuretic and vasodilatory actions. Recent reports have suggested that ANP inhibits the rennin-angiotensin system. In this study, the effects of ANP after LVR were evaluated. Methods and Results-Rats that had an LV aneurysm 4 weeks after left anterior descending artery ligation underwent LVR by plicating the LV aneurysm and were randomized into 2 groups: LVRϩA group was intravenously administrated with 10 g/h of carperitide, recombinant ␣-hANP, by osmotic-pump for 4 weeks, and the LVR group was given normal saline.

TTF can identify non-functional grafts during CABG, but is of questionable value to improve one-year graft patency.

Sufficient perioperative care should be given to high-risk patients who have endografts that cover more than 9 segments and endografts that cover segments from Th8 to Th12. Adequate haemoglobin levels and mean arterial pressure are needed to provide sufficient spinal cord perfusion.