ABSTRACT Introduction: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (poAF) is a common complication of coronary artery bypass grafting, and its reasons are still the subject of research. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether QT interval is related to new onset of poAF occurrence. Methods: This study included 167 patients undergoing elective isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) surgery. Patients were divided into two groups as poAF (+) and poAF (-), according to the development of poAF, and the results of the measurements were compared between the groups. Results: PoAF was detected in 37 (22.1%) of 167 patients who underwent OPCAB surgery. When QT interval measurements were compared, preoperative and postoperative QT and corrected QT interval (QTc) values were significantly longer in the group with atrial fibrillation. Mean values of preoperative QT were 407.5±27.1 in the poAF (-) group vs. 438.5±48.5 in the poAF (+) group (P<0.001). Mean values of preoperative QTc were 419.1±14.5 in the poAF (-) group vs. 448.5±26.6 in the poAF (+) group (P<0.001). Mean values of postoperative QT were 416.3±48.3 in the poAF (-) group vs. 439.2±45.8 in the poAF (+) group (P=0.005). And mean values of postoperative QTc were 419.8±12.5 in the poAF (-) group vs. 452.0±23.3 in the poAF (+) group (P<0.001). Conclusion: QT interval measurement may be a new parameter in predicting poAF development after OPCAB surgery.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative pulmonary hypertension (PHT) on postoperative early mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: A total of 1107 patients undergoing elective first-time off-pump CABG between January 2011 and April 2022 were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. The patients were categorized into two groups according to their preoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) values. The PHT group (n=104) consisted of patients with a SPAP value >30 mmHg, while the non-PHT group (n=1003) consisted of patients with a SPAP value ≤30 mmHg. Patients’ preoperative demographics and clinical features, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were recorded and then compared between the groups. RESULTS: In the PHT group, the median age was significantly higher (66 vs. 63 years, p=0.001) and the median left ventricular ejection fraction level was significantly lower (45 vs. 50%, p=0.045) as compared to the non-PHT group. Additionally, the PHT group included a significantly greater percentage of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (22.1 vs. 7.4%, p=0.019). As perioperative early-term outcomes, complications, and mortality were considered, the groups were statistically similar, and there were no significant differences between the groups, except for the development of atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: For the first time in the literature, this study revealed that mild PHT (mean SPAP=38.9±8.7 mmHg) did not significantly affect early-term outcomes of off-pump CABG.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Vitamin D has relationships with pathogenesis and inflammation pathways in many diseases. Its deficiency may make clinicians think not only of supplementation but also of presence of other diseases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), given that reduced levels are related to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control study conducted in the cardiovascular surgery and family medicine departments of a hospital in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 280 participants were included: 140 each in the DVT and control groups. Basic clinical characteristics, comorbidities and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were recorded and then compared between the groups. Serum 25(OH)D levels were also evaluated separately in three subgroups (sufficient, insufficient and deficient). RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the DVT group than in the controls (P < 0.001). Females in the DVT group had lower 25(OH)D levels than those in the control group (P = 0.002). Nonetheless, the median 25(OH)D level (16.41 ng/ml) of the control group was still below the reference value. Logistic regression analysis showed that 25(OH)D was a significant predictor of DVT. Weight, height and body mass index, which all presented interaction, were significant in the logistic regression analysis but not in individual analyses. CONCLUSION: The serum vitamin D levels of DVT patients were lower than those of controls. If the results obtained from our study are supported by further large-scale randomized controlled trials, vitamin D replacement may be brought into the agenda for protection against DVT.