Pulmonary embolism after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery as detected by computed tomography.
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.
Lahtinen
Jarmo
J
Division of Cardio-thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, 90029 Oulu, Finland. faustobiancari@yahoo.it
Ahvenjärvi
Lauri
L
Biancari
Fausto
F
Ojala
Risto
R
Mosorin
Martti
M
Cresti
Riccardo
R
Lepojärvi
Martti
M
Juvonen
Tatu
T
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