Advances in coronary heart disease surgery in Latin America.
BACKGROUND
The beginnings of coronary artery bypass graft in Latin America could be set in the year 1971. Since then, improvements in technique and greater experience have resulted in a rapid increase in the rate of interventions performed in the region.


RESULTS
Searches through PubMed and Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud, as well as personal communications from specialists from Latin America, have been the source of information. Articles were selected by their content related to the theme, and the authors' nationality and information is mainly from Latin America. Demographic information of the population of Latin America denotes higher age averages, and this implies an increase in the severity of comorbidities in patients who undergo surgery. Longer life expectancy and improvements in medical therapy have implied that patients survive a first intervention beyond the expected time a bypass persists patent. Wall vessel properties of arterial conduits, plus a better anastomotic technique, seem to be the current solution to worsening in the coronary health of patients who undergo revascularization surgery in Latin America.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite scarce economic investment in medical sciences, many academic groups contribute to the exploration of therapeutic pharmacological combinations and inclusively apply genetic strategies.
Gurfinkel
Enrique P
EP
Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Favaloro Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina. epgurfinkel@ffavaloro.org
Lernoud
Veronica S
VS
Laguens
Ruben P
RP
Favaloro
Roberto R
RR
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002314:Cardioplegic Solutions; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000601:surgery; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D002314:Cardioplegic Solutions; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors