AIMS: The short-term effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on diastolic function is only moderately investigated. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether avoidance of cardioplegic arrest by an off-pump CABG procedure has advantages over on-pump procedure regarding diastolic relaxation and compliance. We investigated whether components of diastolic function would be improved the day after CABG depending on the type of the surgical procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Spontaneously breathing on-pump (n = 20) and off-pump CABG (n = 12) patients underwent a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography examination the day before and the day after elective CABG, including transmitral and pulmonary vein flow parameters, colour M-mode flow propagation velocity (Vp) and tissue Doppler assessment of the average mitral annulus diastolic velocity (Em). Isovolumic relaxation and E-wave deceleration time were corrected for heart rate (IVRTcHR and DTcHR). Left ventricular (LV) relaxation time (τ) and LV operating stiffness (LVOS) were calculated. Overall and independent from operation type and preload, CABG decreased IVRTcHR (107 ± 20 vs. 93 ± 15 ms) (P < 0.01) and τ (54 ± 10 vs. 45 ± 10 ms) (P < 0.01), increased Vp (49 ± 22 vs. 75 ± 37 cm/s) (P < 0.01), and increased Em (6.6 ± 2.0 vs. 7.3 ± 1.3 cm/s, P = 0.06), indicating improved relaxation. LVOS increased (0.13 ± 0.06 vs. 0.22 ± 0.05 mmHg/mL) (P < 0.01), compatible with an impaired compliance. A similar improvement in relaxation and impairment in compliance were observed in both groups. CONCLUSION:Myocardial relaxation improved the day after CABG irrespective of the use of cardiopulmonary bypass with cardioplegic arrest. Impairment in compliance could not be prevented by the avoidance of cardioplegia.
RCT Entities:
AIMS: The short-term effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on diastolic function is only moderately investigated. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether avoidance of cardioplegic arrest by an off-pump CABG procedure has advantages over on-pump procedure regarding diastolic relaxation and compliance. We investigated whether components of diastolic function would be improved the day after CABG depending on the type of the surgical procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Spontaneously breathing on-pump (n = 20) and off-pump CABG (n = 12) patients underwent a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography examination the day before and the day after elective CABG, including transmitral and pulmonary vein flow parameters, colour M-mode flow propagation velocity (Vp) and tissue Doppler assessment of the average mitral annulus diastolic velocity (Em). Isovolumic relaxation and E-wave deceleration time were corrected for heart rate (IVRTcHR and DTcHR). Left ventricular (LV) relaxation time (τ) and LV operating stiffness (LVOS) were calculated. Overall and independent from operation type and preload, CABG decreased IVRTcHR (107 ± 20 vs. 93 ± 15 ms) (P < 0.01) and τ (54 ± 10 vs. 45 ± 10 ms) (P < 0.01), increased Vp (49 ± 22 vs. 75 ± 37 cm/s) (P < 0.01), and increased Em (6.6 ± 2.0 vs. 7.3 ± 1.3 cm/s, P = 0.06), indicating improved relaxation. LVOS increased (0.13 ± 0.06 vs. 0.22 ± 0.05 mmHg/mL) (P < 0.01), compatible with an impaired compliance. A similar improvement in relaxation and impairment in compliance were observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: Myocardial relaxation improved the day after CABG irrespective of the use of cardiopulmonary bypass with cardioplegic arrest. Impairment in compliance could not be prevented by the avoidance of cardioplegia.