Journal of cardiac surgery
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The goal of this study was to assess the safety of early postoperative clopidogrel in patients undergoing on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. ⋯ When given according to a predefined postoperative protocol, early postoperative clopidogrel can safely be administered in on-pump and off-pump CABG patients, without increasing the risk of bleeding complications. Evaluation of the benefits of clopidogrel therapy early after CABG in a randomized setting is ongoing.
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Evaluate aortic root preserving/sparing procedures for various pathologies associated with ascending aortic aneurysms, including aortic valve regurgitation. ⋯ Excellent early results can be achieved by aortic root preserving procedures and concurrent aortic valve leaflet repairs when appropriately selected for a diverse class of pathologies.
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We describe a safe, easy, and fast technique of exposing the left anterior descending artery (LAD), when this is embedded under the myocardium or excessive epicardial fat tissue, during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). The vessel is opened as distal as possible, then a fine intravascular probe is introduced retrogradely. Through palpation of the tip, the course of LAD is confined together with the site of distal anastomosis formation. The suggested technique minimizes the risk of injuring the vessel or ventricles, reduces the ischemia-time, and allows the performance of anastomosis as paroximal as possible in the cases of OPCAB with embedded LAD.