Emergency Coronary Artery Bypass and Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Abstract

During the past 12 years, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has undergone remarkable growth as a revascularization modality in the care of patients with coronary artery obstructive disease.¹ With the increasing number of institutions offering coronary angioplasty services, an increasing number of cardiac surgical services will be involved in the surgical support of angioplasty patients. Since 4% to 7% of coronary angioplasty procedures result in acute ischemic complications necessitating emergency coronary artery revascularization, the cardiac surgery team must be familiar with the medical and surgical problems associated with this group of patients in their often difficult and urgent clinical circumstances.² To be successful in managing these failed angioplasty patients, it is essential to establish and maintain cooperative teamwork among the caregivers: the physician who performs the angioplasty, the cardiac anesthesiologist, the cardiac surgeon, the perfusionist, and the operating room nurses.