The effect of coronary artery bypass grafting on aortic functions

Background: This study aims to investigate the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on aortic functions. Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients (mean age 61.6 +/- 9.4 years) with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass by the same surgical team were included in this study. The severity of the disease was calculated by the Gensini score index. Aortic function indices such as aortic cross-sectional compliance, aortic distensibility, and aortic stiffness index were calculated by echocardiography preoperatively, and at third and six months postoperatively. Results: Aortic functions of patients with severe or extensive CAD with high Gensini score (mean 98.3 +/- 38.1) improved at postoperative period. Aortic cross-sectional compliance increased from preoperative 2.62 +/- 1.5 cm(2)/mmHg to 3.52 +/- 1.6 cm(2)/mmHg at three months (p=0.21), and to 3.79 +/- 1.5 cm(2)/mmHg at six months (p<0.01) postoperatively. Increase in aortic distensibility was measured as 3.5 +/- 2.3 cm(2)/dyne x10(-6), 4.6 +/- 2.5 cm(2)/dyne x10-6 (p=0.33), and 4.8 +/- 2.1 cm(2)/dyne x10-6 (p<0.01) preoperatively, and at three months and six months postoperatively, respectively. Aortic stiffness index decreased from 3.2 +/- 0.7 to 2.9 +/- 0.6 (p=0.20), and to 2.8 +/- 0.4 (p<0.01) preoperatively, at three months and at six months postoperatively, respectively. Conclusion: Proper revascularization via on-pump CABG with aortic cross-clamp results in a significant improvement in aortic functions.