Low-dose continuous infusion of landiolol reduced the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, and significantly suppressed inflammation.

The CIT approach reduced the variability in glucose concentration and resulted in fewer instances of DSWI after CABG with BIMA grafts.

In patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass, local administration of tranexamic acid may decrease the volume of postoperative blood loss. The local administration method is simple, inexpensive, and safe.

ObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the clinical utility of aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) determined by using cardiac multislice computed tomography (MSCT).MethodsData of 1315 consecutive patients who underwent both conventional echocardiography and MSCT were reviewed. Degree of aortic stenosis (AS) was assessed according to mean pressure gradient (mPG) measured by echocardiography. Extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) derived by MSCT also was evaluated in 1173 patients who did not undergo prior coronary treatment. Both AVCS and coronary calcium score (CCS) were defined by Agatston units (AU) according to MSCT findings.ResultsA total of 613 of 1315 patients were defined as AVCS positive (mean, 100 AU [range, 31.0–380.0 AU]). AVCS showed significant correlations with mPG (Spearman's ρ = 0.81, p < 0.001), and CCS (ρ = 0.53, p < 0.001). Differential adequate cut-off values of AVCS were proved for predicting severe AS with mPG ≥ 40 mmHg (1596.5 AU; AUC, 0.88; sensitivity, 89.7%; specificity, 77.0%), and for predicting moderate AS with mPG ≥ 20 mmHg (886.5 AU; area under the curve [AUC], 0.91; sensitivity, 92.4%; specificity, 78.3%). Mean AVCS was higher with increased extent of CAD (none, 0 AU [range, 0–30 AU]; single vessel, 8.5 AU [range, 0–104 AU]; multivessel, 142 AU [range, 10–525 AU]; p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value of AVCS for predicting multivessel disease was 49 AU (AUC, 0.77; sensitivity, 68.8%; specificity, 78.0%).ConclusionsAVCS might be a surrogate marker not only for AS grading but also for CAD progression. Therefore, routine AVCS assessment could be useful for risk stratification.

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