Preoperative Preparation of Patients with Multifocal Atherosclerosis for Coronary Bypass Surgery: Mechanical and Medical Methods

Abstract

Objective: to optimize preoperative preparation of patients with multifocal atherosclerosis and reduced baseline left ventricular ejection fraction for coronary bypass surgery, by providing a rationale for the use of mechanical and medical circulatory support methods. Subjects and methods. Sixty-one patients with multifocal atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (CHD), and reduced baseline left ventricular ejection fraction, who underwent coronary bypass surgery, were examined. Levosimendan was administered to 2 groups of patients: 1) 28 patients with preoperative intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation; 2) as inotropic support in 33 patients. There were central and intracardiac hemodynamic changes as evidenced by transpulmonary thermodilution and pulsed Doppler ultrasound echocardiog-raphy during different preoperative preparations. Conclusion. The use of levosimendan in patients with multifocal atherosclerosis, CHD, and planned coronary bypass surgery, by taking into account contraindications to intra-aor-tic balloon counterpulsation, makes it possible to improve central hemodynamical parameters and to reduce the degree of diastolic dysfunction, the incidence of organ dysfunctions, and the length of intensive care unit stay. Key words: coronary bypass surgery, left ventricular ejection fraction, multifocal atherosclerosis, levosimendan, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation.