Perioperative Application of Diltiazem in Patients Undergoing On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Diltiazem is frequently applied during the perioperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (on-pump CABG) to prevent arterial graft spasm; however, the short- and long-term outcome effects are unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, from October 2008 to October 2018, adult patients who underwent isolated CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were identified. Patients in the perioperative diltiazem (DILT) and non-intervention (non-DILT) cohorts were matched based on propensity scores. Logistic regression was fitted to evaluate the impact on short-term outcomes. Long-term outcome was investigated by survival analyses. Total of 1004 patients were included. There were no statistically significant differences between the cohorts in perioperative outcomes, although at 24 hours postoperatively, patients in DILT were more likely to be on hemodynamic support from inotropic and/or vasoactive agents. The overall long-term survival was similar between the cohorts; however, in the subgroup of patients who received more than one arterial graft, perioperative diltiazem may be associated with higher long-term all-cause mortality. Based on these data, the perioperative and long-term outcome benefits of continuous iv infusion of diltiazem in patients who underwent on-pump CABG.