Tracking heart surface features to determine myocardial contrast agent enrichment

Fluorescent cardiac imaging can be applied for intraoperative quality control after a coronary bypass grafting surgery to ensure the myocardial perfusion by evaluating the increasing contrast agent enrichment in the heart. The motion due to the beating heart impedes the interpretation of the contrast agent enrichment in the vessels and leads to noisy enrichment curves. We propose tracking of the heart surface features to compensate for the motion of the beating heart and thereby improve the analysis of the contrast agent enrichment. Furthermore, we propose a vessel segmentation pipeline for a local evaluation of contrast agent enrichment directly in the vessels.

Microscope-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting: features of creating side-to-side anastomosis

<p>This paper describes the step-by-step technique of microscope-assisted creation of side-to-side anastomosis for sequential coronary bypass grafting and the simplified mastering of microscope-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting. Based on our experience, we describe the optimal magnification of the operating microscope, the preferred dimensions of the suture material and the types of microsurgical instruments. We describe in detail the technique and features of microscope-assisted creation of side-to-side anastomosis. In conclusion, we provide brief information about the global practice of microscope-assisted coronary bypass grafting and discuss the advantages of using an operating microscope and microsurgical technologies for creating side-to-side coronary anastomoses.</p><p>Received 12 October 2020. Revised 14 November 2020. Accepted 17 November 2020.</p><p><strong>Funding:</strong> The study did not have sponsorship.</p><p><strong>Conflict of interest:</strong> Authors declare no conflict of interest.</p>

Interleukin 6 as a predictive biomarker for atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass grafting: a systematic review

Atrial fibrillation (AF) progresses after coronary bypass grafting in 11–40% of patients. Plasma biomarkers such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) can assess the risk of AF development. We performed a systematic review using as sources: PubMed, LILACS, and Cochrane Library databases were investigated using Boolean operators and MeSH terms (Medical Subject Headings Terms) “Atrial Fibrillation AND Interleukin AND Biomarkers”. As the following eligibility criteria: observational studies, studies with coronary artery bypass grafting with plasma levels of IL-6 recorded after screening, 11 articles were selected. Three studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: IL-6 levels on AF group - Ishida et al. reported the plasma levels of IL-6 during the post-operative period as 360 ± 143 pg/mL, while Pretorius et al. reported it to be 380.6 ± 151.1 pg/mL. Lastly, Ziabakhsh-Tabari et al. reported a post-operative plasma IL-6 level of 38.2 ± 32 pg/mL. It is considered that new studies about the object are necessary, and these studies should be more standardized. Preferably, it would be important for the daily measurement of IL-6 and its correlation with AF development for statistical analysis to set the best time for sample collection and cut-off value.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Coronary Bypass Surgery: Clinically Significant? Or Subclinical after all?

In this issue, Zhao et al. investigate the effects of subclinical hypothyroidism in coronary bypass grafting particularly with respect to the incidence of atrial fibrillation. While not the first of its kind, the authors analyze this controversial topic in a well powered, statistically comprehensive manner that furthers our understanding of the effects of SCH in CABG patients.