title: Effects on coronary endothelial function of the Cohn stabilizer for beating heart bypass operations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of different stabilizing methods for minimally invasive beating heart coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) on coronary endothelial function are unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the effects on endothelial function of the Cohn stabilizer (used with proximal snaring by Retract-o-tape silicone air cushion) and a coronary shunt (CTS flow coil shunt) on an in vivo model of beating heart CABG. The two techniques were applied for 15 minutes on porcine epicardial coronary arteries. Control rings were taken from the same coronary artery. Endothelial function of control and instrumented arterial rings was studied in organ chamber experiments. Evaluation of endothelial coverage was performed with silver nitrate staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endothelium-dependent relaxation to serotonin and bradykinin was significantly decreased in the shunt group compared to control, Cohn stabilizer, and snare groups. There were no significant differences in the endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater endothelium-dependent relaxation with the Cohn stabilizer suggests better preservation of endothelial coverage at the site of application and reduced propensity for coronary spasm and later development of intimal hyperplasia.
authors.affiliation: Research Center and Department of Surgery, Montreal Heart Institute, Quebec, Canada. lpperrau@icm.umontreal.ca
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Perrault
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nickner
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Desjardins
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009599:Nitroprusside; D012701:Serotonin; D001920:Bradykinin