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The First Results of the Secondary Prevention after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

G.Chapidze, S.Kapanadze, N.Dolidze, Z.Bakhutashvili 
Emergency Cardiology Center

Key words: Coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass, revascularization.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remains the procedure of choice for patients with diffuse disease, left main coronary artery disease and for a large number of patients with multivessel  disease, among whom the completeness of revascularization is the major objective with regard to long-term prognosis. Unfortunately, after CABG procedure, rapid development of arteriosclerosis may cause stenosis  and occlusion in the venous grafts. This problem is actual for our clinic, where already around 190 bypass operations were performed.

Subsequently, as the maintenance of CABG results is not less important that the method of myocardial revascularization, there is the urgent necessity to establish a system for secondary coronary prevention and prophylaxis of coronary insufficiency.

            The research was carried out in 127 patients who in 2001-2002 underwent CABG operations. The frequency of the main risk factors, drug therapy, dynamics in functional class of angina, left ventricular ejection   fraction and parameters of lipid profile were studied. Among the main risk factors hyperlipidemia was prevailing - it was found in 81% of patients. Particular attention was paid to the elevated levels of LDL-C (78%) - the most important risk factor for development of stenosis and occlusion  in coronary arteries and bypass   grafts. We observed 0-1 risk factor in 69% of cases, 2 and more-in 31%. Aspirin and statins were the first line agents in patients after direct myocardial revascularization. Aspirin use was almost universal-94% of patients receiving it. Statins were used in 84% of cases. There were 2 cases of occlusion of vein grafts diagnosed by angiography 10 months post CABG. These 2 patients had II-III functional class of angina. In 32 patients left ventricular ejection fraction measured by echocardiography was increased by 6%.

            Lipid parameters were defined in 34 patients prior to and 1,5,9 and 11 weeks post bypass surgery. According to our investigations one week after CABG there were highly significant percent reductions in TC, LDL-C, TG and HDL-C (31%, 34%, 35% and 12%, respectively). From week 5 there was a marked tendency of to lipid increase and only 11 weeks after operation all atherogenic lipid fractions return to their baseline levels. The data obtained suggest that blood lipids should be assessed 5 to 11 weeks post CABG, as all parameters of lipid profile may be depressed after this major surgical procedure. Measurements made earlier than 5 to 11 weeks post bypass for initiation of lipid lowering therapy should be viewed with respect to these observations.

            In conclusion for the future: These are the first results of our study, as direct myocardial revascularization is a brand new method of treatment used in our country. The end-points that need secondary prevention after CABG are: cardiac death, recurrent coronary events and also recurrent coronary revascularization by surgical or percutaneous means.

 

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