BackgroundCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In high-risk patients, doomed for reoperation the adverse effects of CBP may be more striking. We evaluated the results of reoperative CABG (redo-CABG) by either off-pump (OPCAB) or on-pump (ONCAB). Clinical endpoints were perioperative myocardial infarction, mortality, survival and as the most striking difference between prior studies the quality of life (QoL).MethodsWe performed a prospective, non-randomized assessment for patients who underwent redo-CABG by redo-OPCAB (n = 40) or redo-ONCAB (n = 40) at our institution between January 2007 and December 2010. For evaluation of QoL the SF-36 health survey was used with self-administered assessment.ResultsDuring follow-up 37 of 40 patients were alive in the redo-OPCAB group versus 32 of 40 patients in the redo-ONCAB group (p < 0.05). The shorter operation time, less blood loss, fewer perioperative myocardial infarctions, the higher rate of totally arterial revascularisation and shorter intensive care stay were the significantly beneficial differences for patients in the redo-OPCAB group (p < 0.05). The 3-year survival rate was higher in the redo-OPCAB group with 81 ± 12% versus 63 ± 9%in the redo-ONCAB group. The quality of life survey did not reveal any significant differences between both groups.ConclusionIn conclusion, with our present retrospective study, we could demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the redo-OPCAB technique with even higher 3-year survival rate. Both techniques seem to have similar impact on the outcome of patients.

Background For patients with end-stage renal failure hemodialysis with an autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has proven to be the ideal vascular access. Objective The aim of this study is to discover potential predictors of a well-functioning hemodialysis fistula. Methods From December 2009 to March 2011, 80 patients undergoing first time AVF creation were enrolled in our retrospective study. We analyzed pre-and postoperative vessel diameters and flow characteristics gained by duplex ultrasonography (DUS) and intraoperative ultrasound transit-time flow measurements regarding intraoperative blood flow and pulsatility index (PI). Follow-up was defined until the end of the first month with regular hemodialysis, 10 weeks after AVF creation. We performed statistical analyses by employing Spearman correlation, t test, analysis of variance, χ 2 test, and

Glomus tumors, also known as paragangliomas or chemodectomas, arise from well-differentiated mesenchymal cells that are known to be benign. These tumors account for 2% of all soft tissue tumors. The first case of a cardiac glomus tumor was reported in 1924 by Masson.1 Glomus tumors located within the pericardial tissue are extremely rare. We present the case of a recurrent cardiac glomus tumor. The preoperative investigation, diagnostic problems and surgical treatment of this case will be highlighted. Moreover we wish to emphasize the importance of such an entity and to remind readers that it must be included in the differential diagnosis of a pericardial tumor.