title: Pulmonary embolism after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery as detected by computed tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) after coronary artery bypass surgery is ill defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery were enrolled in a prospective randomized study evaluating a new proximal aortic anastomotic device. Computed tomography was performed postoperatively about 1 week after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Computed tomography showed signs of PE in 6 patients (25%), which were bilateral in 2 cases. None of these patients had symptoms or signs of PE or deep venous thrombosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings widen the controversial issue of thromboprophylaxis after cardiac surgery and suggest that low-dose heparin may be indicated after coronary artery bypass surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardio-thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, 90029 Oulu, Finland. faustobiancari@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Jarmo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lahtinen
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ahvenjärvi
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Biancari
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ojala
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mosorin
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cresti
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lepojärvi
authors.forename: Tatu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Juvonen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery; D047549:Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome