One-year post-CABG diastolic function worsens despite preserved ejection fraction in ischemic heart disease patients.
This observational review examined the mechanics of left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling in 96 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Measurements were compared between baseline (before CABG) and one year following the procedure. The study population consisted of patients with ischemic heart disease and coronary artery bypass grafting.
At one year post-procedure, significant changes were observed in several parameters. Myocardial stiffness, damping, peak driving forces, and resistive forces all increased (p<0.001). Concurrently, the left atrial (LA) volume index increased (p<0.001), while LA conduit strain and LA contractile strain decreased (p<0.001). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) also decreased (p<0.001). In contrast, heart rate, LV size, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), E/e ratio, and LV filling efficiency showed no change. No differences were found in LV filling mechanics when stratified by baseline LVEF group or the number of revascularized coronary arteries.
No specific adverse events or discontinuations were reported in the safety data. However, the study notes that the causes and significance of these observed changes remain to be further investigated. While the practice relevance indicates that revascularization with CABG is associated with worsened diastolic function one year after the procedure, the observational nature of the data limits causal conclusions. Clinicians should interpret these results with caution regarding long-term functional outcomes.