Right ventricular function after coronary artery bypass graft surgery—a magnetic resonance imaging study

• Published in: Cardiovascular revascularization medicine Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 98 - 100
• Main Authors: Joshi, Subodh B, Roswell, Robert O, Salah, Ali K, Zeman, Peter R, Corso, Paul J, Lindsay, Joseph, Fuisz, Anthon R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-04-2010
• Subjects: Aged; Cardiovascular; Coronary Artery Bypass - adverse effects; Coronary artery bypass graft surgery; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnosis; Coronary Artery Disease - physiopathology; Coronary Artery Disease - surgery; Elective Surgical Procedures; Electrocardiography; Female; Humans; Magnetic resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; Male; Middle Aged; Right ventricular function; Stroke Volume; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ventricular Function, Right; Magnetic resonance Imaging; Right ventricular function; Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
• ISSN: 1553-8389; 1878-0938
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carrev.2009.04.002

Abstract Background A reduction in right ventricular function commonly occurs in the early postoperative period after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). We sought to determine the longer-term effect of CABG on right ventricular function. Methods Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and approximately 3 months after surgery in 28 patients undergoing elective CABG. Right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction was assessed by planimetry of electrocardiographically gated cine images. Results There was a statistically significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction from 50% to 58% ( P =.003) after CABG. RV ejection fraction also increased from 54% to 60% ( P =.002). In patients with lower baseline RV ejection fraction (below the median, < 53%), this parameter improved from 47% to 57% ( P <.001). Both on-pump (47% vs. 62%, P =.003) as well as off-pump CABG (47% vs. 55%, P =.009) lead to an improvement in RV function in patients in the initial low RV ejection fraction group. Conclusion Long-term right ventricular function was not adversely affected by CABG. An improvement in RV function occurred after surgery in patients with low baseline RV ejection fraction and was similar in patients who underwent surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.