. Forty patients were randomized
soft snare (n = 20). Hemodynamic measurements were recorded
distal anastomosis.
Results. Grafting of the left anterior descending coronary artery
anastomosis was associated with a significant decrease in stroke
volume, cardiac index, and mean arterial pressure, and an increase
in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and systemic vascular
resistance in the snare but not in the shunt group. During grafting
of the posterior descending coronary artery there was a marked
decrease in stroke volume and cardiac index, and an increase
in central venous pressure in both groups, and an increase in
heart rate, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary
wedge pressure, and systemic vascular resistance only in the
snare group. The most extensive changes were observed during
the circumflex coronary artery anastomosis with a reduction
in stroke volume, cardiac index, and mean arterial pressure,
and an increase in central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary
wedge pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, and systemic vascular
resistance in both groups. In all settings, these changes were
transient and recovered after the heart was returned to its
anatomical position in the shunt group, whereas stroke volume
and cardiac index remained reduced, and systemic vascular resistance
was elevated in all settings in the snare group.
Conclusions. Stabilization of the left anterior descending coronary artery to perform the anastomosis resulted in temporary hemodynamic changes, which are prevented by the use of an intracoronary shunt. The hemodynamic deterioration during the construction of the posterior descending coronary artery and circumflex coronary artery anastomoses is transient in the shunt group, whereas the snaring technique is associated with an impairment of early functional recovery.