Enter Your Email Address to Receive a
Copy of MedicExhange Member Demograhpics

MAQUET Cardiovascular LLC announces study results showing significantly reduced stroke rate in coronary artery bypass patients when aortic clamping is avoided

MAQUET Cardiovascular LLC, a leading provider of cardiovascular technologies, announced that study results published March 25, 2010, in the Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery demonstrated that perioperative strokes can be minimized in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients by utilizing a "clampless" technique consisting of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) in combination with the unique HEARTSTRING Proximal Seal System to maintain hemostasis during the attachment of grafts to the aorta (proximal anastomosis)
.
These findings are based on a retrospective analysis of 414 consecutive patients who underwent OPCAB with one or more proximal anastomoses constructed using HEARTSTRING technology at University Hospital Regensburg, Germany. OPCAB has been shown to offer many benefits to patients, especially those at higher risk for complications.  However, clamping and other types of mechanical manipulation of the ascending aorta may reduce the potential benefits of OPCAB. 

"The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of stroke in patients treated with a clampless approach," said first author Dr. Michael Hilker, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg. Patients in this study had a stroke rate one-third lower than would have been expected given their risk factors. According to Dr. Hilker, "Our findings demonstrate that a clampless approach to CABG using HEARTSTRING can reduce the stroke rate in a large cohort of patients."

During CABG, aortic manipulation causes atherosclerotic plaque to break loose and be transported as emboli to the brain via the bloodstream. These emboli are a recognized cause of neurologic injury and cognitive dysfunction. Although cannulation and cross clamping of the aorta are avoided during an OPCAB procedure, a partial or "side-biting" clamp may be used to isolate a portion of the aorta from blood flow to allow the surgeon to attach the bypass graft. The HEARTSTRING device eliminates the need for a partial clamp by providing a seal that prevents blood from entering the surgical field during construction of the proximal graft to the aorta.

"Stroke is a devastating complication of CABG for patients and their families.  We are pleased to be able to offer innovative solutions such as HEARTSTRING technology in order to help clinicians optimize their cardiac surgery outcomes," said Patrick Walsh, President of MAQUET Cardiovascular's  Cardiac Surgery Business Unit. 

Source: MAQUET Cardiovascular