Publication Database Search
Cost-effectiveness of intraoperative imaging in carotid endarterectomy
Objective: There has never been a large, randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of intraoperative imaging on the success of carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This comparison involves cost-effectiveness analysis.
Methods: We constructed a decision-analytic model to compare effectiveness and costs of intraoperative ultrasound (IUS) and completion angiography as adjuncts to CEA. Data on procedural mortality, morbidity, and costs were obtained from the English-language literature. The review included a total of 52 reports, encompassing more than 22,000 patients. The main components of costs were those of the monitoring interventions and the care of perioperative stroke.
Results: Read more...
Current status of intra-operative graft assessment: Should it be the standard of care for coronary artery bypass graft surgery?
The “Achilles heel” of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is graft patency. While long-term patency is determined by the type of conduit and the progression of graft and native vessel disease, short-term patency is affected by intra-operative technical issues. Transit-time flow measurements and epicardial ultrasound have been shown to accurately assess intra-operative graft patency. This review will examine the evidence to support the premise that intra-operative graft assessment is essential in determining graft patency and should be the standard of care when performing CABG surgery.
Coronary Artery Surgery: Past, Present, and Future
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most commonly performed and studied major cardiac operation worldwide. An understanding of the evolution of CABG, including the early days of cardiac surgery, the first bypass operation, continuous improvements in techniques, and streamlining of the operation, is important to inform current trends and future innovations. Read More..
Conduit quality control protocol in CABG
Cardiac revascularization surgery has a long history. Its results and safety are well known. Nonetheless, the long-term patency rate of certain grafts used in cardiac revascularization is non-optimal, and CABG is associated with a risk of cerebrovascular stroke due to aortic manipulation. We have developed a simple control quality protocol of the anastomosis performed in CABG, aiming to improve the long-term patency of certain grafts used in cardiac revascularization surgery and reduce the risk of cerebrovascular stroke in those patients.

