Off versus On pump coronary artery bypass grafting; a single-center experience

Background: The debate about on-pump vs. off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) continues. The present study compared the short-term outcomes after off-pump vs. on-pump CABG. Methods: The study was conducted on 67 patients who underwent CABG from 2021 to 2022. Patients were divided into two groups according to the CABG technique. Group 1 included 33 patients who underwent off-pump CABG, and Group 2 included 34 patients who underwent on-pump CABG. The study outcomes were operative time, hospital complications, and mortality. Results: On-pump patients were significantly older than off-pump patients (64.78±7.12 vs. 59.09±6.29; p= 0.004). There were no differences in comorbidities, presenting symptoms, or ejection fraction between groups. Operative time was significantly shorter in off-pump patients (227.47±13.73 vs. 321.12±27.49; p< 0.001). Blood transfusion was lower in off-pump patients (1.06± 0.311 vs. 1.79± 0.25; p< 0.001). Bleeding was lower in off-pump patients (0.81±0.13 vs. 0.91±0.20 ml, p= 0.01). Off-pump patients had significantly shorter ICU (3.5±2.6 vs. 4.9±4.7; p<0.001) and hospital stay (7.6±4.8 vs. 9.5±6.1; p<0.001). No patient had reexploration for bleeding, wound infection, or mortality in our series. One patient had renal impairment in the on-pump group (p>0.99). Conclusion: Off-pump and on-pump CABG seem to be safe approaches for managing coronary artery disease in our institution. Off-pump could be superior to on-pump CABG regarding shorter ICU and hospital stay. Studies with data from a large number of patients are recommended

Perspective Chapter: The Toxic Silver (Hg)

In the late 1950s, residents of a Japanese fishing village known as “Minamata” began falling ill and dying at an alarming rate. The Japanese authorities stated that methyl-mercury-rich seafood and shellfish caused the sickness. Burning fossil fuels represent ≈52.7% of Hg emissions. The majorities of mercury’s compounds are volatile and thus travel hundreds of miles with wind before being deposited on the earth’s surface. High acidity and dissolved organic carbon increase Hg-mobility in soil to enter the food chain. Additionally, Hg is taken up by areal plant parts via gas exchange. Mercury has no identified role in plants while exhibiting high affinity to form complexes with soft ligands such as sulfur and this consequently inactivates amino acids and sulfur-containing antioxidants. Long-term human exposure to Hg leads to neurotoxicity in children and adults, immunological, cardiac, and motor reproductive and genetic disorders. Accordingly, remediating contaminated soils has become an obligation. Mercury, like other potentially toxic elements, is not biodegradable, and therefore, its remediation should encompass either removal of Hg from soils or even its immobilization. This chapter discusses Hg’s chemical behavior, sources, health dangers, and soil remediation methods to lower Hg levels