Roughly thirty percent of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients develop atrial fibrillation (AF) in the five days following surgery, increasing the risk of stroke, prolonging hospital stay three to four days, and increasing the overall cost of the procedure. Current pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic means of AF prevention are suboptimal, and their side effects, expense, and inconvenience limit their widespread application. An accurate method for identifying patients at high risk for postoperative AF would allow these methods to be focused on the patients on which its utility would be highest. The main objective of this research was to develop a Bayesian network (BN) which could model/predict/assign risk of the occurrence of atrial fibrillation in CABG patients using retrospective data. A secondary objective was to develop an integrated framework for more advanced methods of feature selection and fusion for medical classification/prediction. We determined that the naïve Bayesian network classifier used with features selected by a genetic algorithm is a better classifier to use, given our cohort. The naïve BN allows for reasonable prediction despite being presented with patients with missing data points as might occur in the hospital. This classifier achieves a sensitivity of 0.63 and a specificity of 0.73 with an AUC of 0.74. Furthermore, this system is based on probabilities that are well understood and easily incorporated into a clinical environment. These probabilities can be altered based on the cardiologists prior knowledge through Bayesian statistics, allowing for online sensitivity analysis by doctors, to perceive the best treatment options. Contributions of this research include: - An accurate, physician-friendly, postoperative AF risk stratification system that performs even under missing data conditions, while outperforming the state of the art system, - A thorough analysis of previously examined and novel pre- and postoperative clinical and ECG features for postoperative AF risk stratification, - A new methodology for genetic algorithm-built traditional Bayesian network classifiers allowing dynamic structure through novel chromosome, operator, and fitness definitions, and - An integrated methodology for inclusion of doctor s expert knowledge into a probabilistic diagnosis support system.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Clinical Science) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-91). Free to UCD affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Não há evidência conclusiva da vantagem da revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio (RCM) ou angioplastia percutânea coronária (APC) sobre o tratamento clínico (TC) em pacientes sintomáticos, com doença arterial coronária (DAC) multiarterial e função ventricular esquerda (FVE) preservada. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os resultados em longo prazo da RCM ou APC com o TC em pacientes portadores de DAC em múltiplos vasos e FVE preservada. Os desfechos primários do estudo foram a combinação de morte por qualquer origem, infarto do miocárdio não fatal (IAM) e angina refratária com necessidade de intervenção mecânica. O desfecho secundário foi o estado anginoso ao final do estudo. Todos os eventos foram analisados de acordo com o princípio de intenção de tratar. De 2.077 pacientes elegíveis para randomização dentre 20.769 pacientes avaliados para participar do estudo, 611 foram efetivamente randomizados para se submeterem à RCM (n=203), APC (n=205) ou TC (n=203). Em 10 anos de seguimento desfechos primários ocorreram em 37,9% dos pacientes submetidos à RCM em comparação a 56,1% dos submetidos à APC e 69% dos que receberam TC (p<0,0001). Não foi encontrada nenhuma diferença com relação à morte por qualquer origem entre RCM (25,1%), APC (23,9%) e TC (31%) (p=0,230). Intervenção mecânica por causa de angina refratária foi necessária em 38,9% dos que receberam TC, comparada a 40% dos submetidos à APC e 7,4% dos que se submeteram à RCM (p<0,0001). Em adição, 20,7% dos pacientes que receberam TC tiveram IAM, em comparação a 13,2% dos submetidos à APC e 9,9% dos submetidos à RCM (p=0,008). Pacientes submetidos à TC tiveram maior incidência de morte por origem cardíaca (20,7%) do que os submetidos à APC (14,1%) e RCM (10,8%) (p=0,021), no entanto, essa diferença só foi significativa entre RCM e TC (p=0,009). Nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada na incidência de AVE entre os três grupos de tratamento (p=0,303). Ao final do seguimento, angina estava presente em 14,8% dos pacientes alocados para TC em comparação a 9,3% dos submetidos à APC e 6,4% dos submetidos à RCM (p=0,022). A RCM reduziu de modo significativo e independente a incidência de eventos combinados em comparação ao TC (HR=0,449; IC95%=0,346 - 0,583) e à APC (HR=0,560; IC95%=0,431 0,726), sobretudo à custa de redução da intervenção mecânica em comparação ao TC (HR=0,162; IC95%=0,113-0,232) e à APC (HR=0,150;IC95%=0,111-0,228). A RCM também reduziu significativamente a incidência de IAM e o estado anginoso em comparação ao TC (HR=0,467; IC95%=0,280 0,780; p=0,013 e HR=0,397; IC95=0,200 0,785; p=0,009, respectivamente). O estudo revelou que os três tipos de tratamento alcançaram índices elevados e semelhantes de sobrevivência em 10 anos de seguimento. Todavia, a cirurgia foi superior ao tratamento clínico na prevenção do infarto do miocárdio não fatal, na diminuição da incidência de angina e na prevenção da intervenção mecânica guiada por angina refratária. A angioplastia e o tratamento clínico mostraram resultados semelhantes em relação ao alívio dos sintomas anginosos e na prevenção dos eventos combinados definidos como morte por qualquer origem, infarto do miocárdio não fatal e a necessidade de intervenção mecânica / There was no conclusive evidence that coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is superior to medical therapy (MT) alone in symptomatic patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), and preserved left ventricular function. The objective of this study is to compare the long-term results of CABG or PCI versus MT in patients with multivessel CAD and preserved left ventricular function. The primary end-points were the combination (MACE) of overall mortality, non fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and refractory angina requiring revascularization. Secondary end-point was the angina status at the end of follow-up. All events were analyzed according to the intention to treat principle. From 2.077 eligible patients for randomization among 20.769 patients screened for the trial, 611 could be randomized to CABG (n=203), PCI (n=205), and MT (n=203). At 10-year follow-up, MACE occurred in 69% of patients who underwent MT, compared to 56% treated with PCI, and 37.9% receiving CABG (p<0.0001). There were no statistical differences in overall mortality among the three groups (31% in MT, 23.9% in PCI, and 25.1% in CABG; p=0.230). Mechanical intervention driven by refractory angina were necessary in 38.9% of patients in the MT, compared to 40% in the PCI, and 7.4% in the CABG group (p<0.0001). In addition, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were experienced by 20.7% of patients receiving MT, in comparison to 13.2% of patients submitted to PCI and 9.9% of those submitted to CABG (p=0.008). Patients who underwent MT had higher cardiac mortality (20.7%), than patients receiving PCI (14.1%) or CABG (10.8%) (p=0.021), however this difference was significant only between CABG and MT (p=0,009). No statistical differences were observed in the incidence of stroke among the three groups of treatment (p=0.303). At the end of follow-up angina was present in 14.8% of MT patients, compared to 9.3% of PCI patients, and 6.4% of CABG patients (p=0.022). CABG independently reduced the incidence of MACE in comparison to MT (HR=0.449; CI95%=0.346 0.583) and PCI (HR=0.560; CI95%=0.431 0.726). This reduction is mainly driven by reduction in the rate of mechanical intervention in comparison to MT (HR=0.162; CI95%=0.113-0.232), and PCI (HZ=0.150; CI95%=0.111-0.228). CABG also reduced the incidence of AMI and angina status in comparison to MT (HR=0.150; IC95%=0.280 0.780; p=0.013; HR=0.397; IC95%=0.200 0.785; p=0.009, respectively). Our study has shown that the three treatment options yielded comparable and elevated rates of survival in 10-year follow-up. However, CABG was superior to MT in the prevention of AMI, in the reduction of the angina incidence, and in the prevention of mechanical intervention. Angioplasty and MT have shown similar results in relation to angina alleviation and prevention from MACE defined as the combination of all cause mortality, AMI, and the need of mechanical intervention

O enxerto de artéria torácica interna tem demonstrado capacidade de remodelamento devido a interação com o leito arterial coronariano. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a influência dos fatores clínicos e angiográficos no remodelamento dos enxertos, definido como variação no calibre vascular. Casuística e métodos: No período entre 1983 e 1999, 356 pacientes realizaram cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio utilizando a artéria torácica interna esquerda para o ramo interventricular anterior e a artéria torácica interna direita para um ramo da circunflexa. Trinta e dois pacientes foram submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia pós-operatória, a qual foi posteriormente analisada com o aplicativo CASS II®. Este estudo observacional apresentou acompanhamento médio de 42 meses(6-204 meses). As variáveis angiográficas analisadas foram os diâmetros proximal e distal dos enxertos arteriais (variável dependente), área coronariana, pontuação de fluxo TIMI, diâmetro de estenose proximal, fluxo dominante distal e ramos patentes. Fatores de risco cardiovascular também foram incluídos. Resultados: O modelo de regressão linear múltiplo demonstrou um R2ajustado=0,69 (p=0,0001) para o modelo a direita e R2ajustado=0,46 (p=0,002) para a esquerda. Os enxertos apresentaram diâmetros proximal e distal de 2,67mm ±0,085 e 2,232mm ±0,085 à esquerda; 2,458mm ±0,088 e 2,010mm ± 0,091 (média±EP) à direita, respectivamente (p>0,05). Nenhuma variável clínica obteve correlação significante estatisticamente. A área coronariana apresentou coeficiente de beta=0,42 (0,14-0,6/IC-95%) e diâmetro de estenose proximal de 0,55 (0,40-0,65/IC-95%) para o remodelamento do lado direito. A área coronariana demonstrou coeficiente de beta=0,54 (0,3- 0,68/IC-95%) para o remodelamento do lado esquerdo. Conclusões: A artéria torácica interna não demonstrou diferença de calibre em relação a lateralidade (esquerda vs direita). O diâmetro de estenose proximal da artéria coronária revascularizada demonstrou correlação positiva com o remodelamento dos enxertos do lado direito. A área da artéria coronária revascularizada foi a única variável de influência para o remodelamento bilateral dos enxertos / Internal thoracic artery grafts has demonstrated capacity for remodeling due to interaction with the coronary artery bed. The goal was to analysis the influence of clinical and angiographic factors in this remodeling as defined as grafts caliber variation. Methods: In a period from 1983 to 1999, 356 patients underwent to coronary artery bypass surgery using the left internal thoracic artery anastomosed to interventricular anterior branch and the right internal thoracic artery to circumflex branches. Thirty two patients were submitted to postoperative coronary angiography which was further analysed by CASS II® software. The mean follow-up of this observational study was 42 months(6- 204 months). Angiographic variables analyzed was proximal and distal diameters of arterial grafts(dependent variable), coronary area, TIMI flow grade, proximal stenosis diameter, dominant distal flow and patent branches. Cardiovascular risk factors were included indeed. Results: The multiple regression model demonstrated R2adjusted=0.69 (p=0.0001) for right side and R2adjusted=0.46 (p=0.002) for left side. The grafts presented proximal and distal diameters of 2.67mm ±0.085 and 2.232mm ±0.085 from left side; 2.458mm ±0.088 and 2.010mm ±0.091 (mean±SE) from right side respectively (p > 0,05). None of the clinical variables had statistical significant correlation. The coronary area presented as a beta coefficient=0.42 (0.14-0.6/CI-95%) and proximal stenosis diameter of 0.55 (0.40-0.65/CI-95%) for right side remodeling. The coronary area shown a beta coefficient=0.54 (0.3- 0.68/CI-95%) for left side remodeling. Conclusions: The internal thoracic artery did not demonstrate difference in caliber about its laterality (left vs right). The proximal stenosis degree of the bypassed coronary artery demonstrated positive correlation with remodeling for the right side grafts. Bilateral grafts remodeling was only explained by positive correlation with the bypassed coronary area

Objective: To perform systematic review of the effects of screening for coronary artery calcium (CAC), a subclinical marker of coronary artery disease (CAD), on behavioral or lifestyle modification, risk perception, and medication adherence. Methods: We searched through CINAHL, PsychInfo, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials, and PubMed (Medline) for studies on the effects of CAC screening in asymptomatic individuals across three major domains: behavioral modification, risk perception for CAD, and medication adherence. We extracted data from the retrieved studies, assessed and synthesized the information. Results: Of the 15 retrieved studies, three were randomized control trials and 12 were observational studies. CAC score was ascertained either as total score, quartiles, or standardized Agatston's ordinal scale. While all the 15 studies involved issues related to behavioral and medication adherence, four involved risk perception of CAD. Although no standardized approach was used in these studies, CAC screening enhanced medication adherence in 13 of the 15 studies, while the others were mixed. Conclusion: CAC screening improved medication adherence and could likely motivated individuals for beneficial behavioral or lifestyle changes to improve CAD. The mixed results suggest the need for further research because screening for subclinical atherosclerosis has significant implications for early detection and prevention of future cardiovascular events by aggressive risk factors modification.

The purpose of this study was to compare patients who underwent on- vs. off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery managed with a fast-track protocol. Between September 2012 and December 2018, n = 3505 coronary artery bypass surgeries were managed with a fast-track protocol in our specialized post-anesthesia care unit. Propensity score matching was applied and resulted in two equal groups of n = 926. There was no significant difference in ventilation time (on-pump 75 (55–120) min vs. off-pump 80 (55–120) min, p = 0.973). We found no statistically significant difference in primary fast-track failure in on-pump (8.2% (76)) vs. off-pump (6% (56)) groups (p = 0.702). The secondary fast-track failure rate was comparable (on-pump 12.9% (110) vs. off-pump 12.3% (107), p = 0.702). There were no significant differences between groups in regard to the post-anesthesia care unit, the intermediate care unit, and the hospital length of stay. Postoperative outcome and complications were also comparable, except for a statistically significant difference in PACU postoperative blood loss in on-pump (234 mL) vs. off-pump (323 mL, p < 0.0001) and red blood cell transfusion (11%) and (5%, p < 0.001), respectively. Our results suggest that on- and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in fast-track settings are comparable in terms of ventilation time, fast-track failure rate, and postoperative complications rate.

Activation of A3 adenosine receptors has been shown to protect the myocardium from ischaemia reperfusion injury in a number of animal models. The PI3K - AKT and MEK1/2 - ERK1/2 cell survival pathways have been shown to play a critical role in regulating myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury. In this study we investigated whether the A3 adenosine receptor agonist 2-CL-IB-MECA protects the myocardium from ischaemia reperfusion injury, when administered at reperfusion or post reperfusion and whether the protection involved the PI3K – AKT or MEK 1/2 – ERK1/2 cell survival pathways. In the Langendorff model of ischaemia reperfusion injury isolated perfused rat hearts underwent 35 minutes of ischaemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion. Administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA (1nM) at reperfusion significantly decreased infarct size to risk ratio compared to non-treated ischeamic reperfused control hearts. This protection was abolished in the presence of the PI3K inhibitor Wortmannin or MEK1/2 inhibitor UO126. Western blot analysis determined that administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA (1 nM) upregulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In the adult rat cardiac myocyte model of hypoxia/reoxygenation cells underwent 6 hours of hypoxia and 18 hours of reoxygenation. Administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA (1 nM) at the onset of reoxygenation significantly decreased cellular apoptosis and necrosis. Administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA (1nM) in the presence of the Wortmannin or UO126 significantly reversed this anti-apoptotic effect and anti-necrotic effect. Our data further showed that 2-CL-IB-MECA protects myocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via decreasing cleaved-caspase 3 activity that was abolished in presence of the PI3K inhibitor but not in the presence of the MEK1/2 inhibitor UO126. Administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA (100nM) at the onset of reperfusion also significantly decreased infarct size to risk ratio in the ischaemic reperfused rat heart compared to controls that was reversed in the presence of Wortmannin or Rapamycin. This protection was associated with an increase in PI3K-AKT / p70S6K / BAD phosphorylation. 2-CL-IB-MECA (100nM) administered at reoxygenation also significantly protected adult rat cardiac myocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury 28 in an anti-apoptotic and anti-necrotic manner. This anti-apoptotic/necrotic effect of 2-CL-IB-MECA was abolished in the presence Wortmannin. Furthermore, that this protection afforded by 2-CL-IB-MECA (100nM) when administered at reoxygenation was associated with a decrease in cleaved caspase 3 activity that was abolished in the presence of the Wortmannin Interestingly, postponing the administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA to 15 or 30 minutes after the onset of reperfusion significantly protected the isolated perfused rat heart from ischaemia reperfusion injury in a Wortmannin and UO126 sensitive manner. This protection was associated with an increase in AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Administration of the A3 agonist 2-CL-IB-MECA 15 or 30 minutes after the onset of reoxygenation significantly protected isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes subjected to 6 hours of hypoxia and 18 hours of reoxygenation from injury in an anti-apoptotic/necrotic manner. This anti-apoptotic was abolished upon PI3K inhibition with Wortmannin or MEK1/2 inhibition with UO126. The anti-necrotic effect of 2-CL-IB-MECA when administered 15 or 30 minutes post-reperfusion was not abolished in the presence of the inhibitors. Delaying the administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA to 15 or 30 minutes after reoxygenation was associated with a decrease in cleaved-caspase 3 activity that was abolished in the presence of Wortmannin but not in the presence of the MEK 1/2inhibitor UO126. Collectively, we have demonstrated for the first time that administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA at the onset of reperfusion protects the ischaemic reperfused rat myocardium from lethal ischaemia reperfusion injury in a PI3K and MEK1/2 sensitive manner. Delaying the administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA to 15 or 30 minutes after the onset of reperfusion of reoxygenation also significantly protects the isolated perfused rat heart from ischaemia reperfusion injury and the adult rat cardiac myocyte from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in an anti apoptotic / necrotic manner. Furthermore, that this protection is associated with recruitment of the PI3K-AKT and MEK1/2 – ERK1/2 cell survival pathways.

3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), a stable end product arising from the interaction of proteins and reactive nitrogen species such as peroxynitrite, is produced during periods of oxidative stress. 3NT is, therefore, of interest as a potential biomarker in a variety of disease states where oxidative stress is known to be involved in the pathology, for example intermittent claudication. The aim of this thesis was to develop sensitive and specific immunoassays to assess the levels of 3NT in plasma samples from claudicants and to investigate the protein nitration profile. Clinical data and plasma samples were collected from claudicant (n=33) and control (n=6) subjects. Analysis of data confirmed the difficulty of using parameters such as ankle brachial index (ABI) in diagnosis, supporting the need for investigations into potential biomarkers. Development of indirect and competitive ELISAs using electrochemically nitrated bovine serum albumin as the standard revealed that the detection of 3NT was dependent on the antibody being able to access the 3NT-residues within the protein. Various denaturing conditions and different types of microtitre plate were utilised during development. Initially the presence of 3NT in claudicant or control whole plasma samples could only be detected using dot blot immunodetection. Affinity purification techniques for the fractionation of the plasma proteins were therefore applied. Subsequently, 3NT-containing plasma proteins were found to be present in all of the claudicant and control samples using the developed competitive ELISA. Proteomic analysis of the 3NT-affinity purified samples, using MALDI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS, confirmed the presence of human serum albumin, serotransferrin and apolipoprotein A1 and A2 precursors within those protein bands staining immunopositive for 3NT on SDS-PAGE gels. The identification of apolipoprotein A1 within 3NT-immunopositive bands confirms previous reports suggesting the oxidative modification of HDL may contribute to the link between inflammation and the pathology of atherosclerosis.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a common treatment for patients with coronary artery disease. A potential complication of CABG is myocardial ischemia or infarction. In this thesis, a method - based on laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) - for detection of intra- and postoperative ischemia by myocardial perfusion monitoring is evaluated. LDF is sensitive to motion artifacts. In previous studies, a method for reduction of motion artifacts when measuring on the beating heart has been developed. By using the ECG as a reference, the perfusion signal is measured in intervals during the cardiac cycle where the cardiac motion is at a minimum, thus minimizing the artifacts in the perfusion signal. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the possibilities to use the ECG-triggered laser Doppler system for continuous monitoring of myocardial perfusion in humans during and after CABG surgery. Two studies were performed. In the first study, changes in myocardial perfusion during CABG surgery were investigated (n = 13), while the second study focused on postoperative measurements (n = 13). In addition, an ECG-triggering method was implemented and evaluated. It was found that the large variations in myocardial perfusion during CABG surgery could be monitored with the ECG-triggered laser Doppler system. Furthermore, a perfusion signal of good quality could be registered postoperatively from the closed chest in ten out of thirteen patients. In eight out of ten patients, a proper signal was obtained also the following morning, i.e., about 20 hours after probe insertion. The results show that respiration and blood pressure can have an influence on the perfusion signal. In conclusion, the results indicate that the method is able to detect fluctuations in myocardial perfusion under favourable circumstances. However, high heart rate, abnormal cardiac motion, improper probe attachment and limitations in the ECG-triggering method may result in variations in the perfusion signal that are not related to tissue perfusion. / Varje år utförs omkring 4500 kranskärlsoperationer i Sverige. En allvarlig komplikation som kan uppstå efter operationen är otillräcklig blodförsörjning till hjärtmuskeln. Den här licentiatavhandlingen handlar om utveckling och utvärdering av en metod, baserad på laserdopplerteknik, för att kunna upptäcka nedsatt blodperfusion i hjärtmuskeln på ett tidigt stadium. Laserdopplertekniken är känslig för rörelsestörningar. I tidigare studier har en metod för reducering av rörelsestörningar vid mätning på slående hjärta tagits fram. Med EKG:t som referens mäts blodperfusionen i de faser under hjärtcykeln då hjärtats rörelse är som minst, vilket minskar bidraget av rörelsestörningar i blodperfusionssignalen. I den här avhandlingen undersöks om metoden kan användas för kontinuerlig övervakning av hjärtmuskelns blodperfusion på patienter under och efter hjärtoperationer. Två studier har genomförts: en där hjärtmuskelns perfusion mättes i olika faser under kranskärlsoperationer och en där mätproben lades in i hjärtmuskeln under operationen och mätningar gjordes under det första dygnet efter operationen. Det visade sig vara möjligt att följa förändringar i hjärtmuskelns blodperfusion under operation. Det var även möjligt att registrera en perfusionssignal av god kvalitet efter operationen då bröstkorgen var stängd. Hos åtta av tio patienter erhölls en bra signal även morgonen efter operationen, dvs. ca 20 timmar efter att proben lades in. Resultaten visar också att andning och blodtryck kan ha en påverkan på blodperfusionssignalen. Slutsatsen av arbetet är att det går att se variationer i hjärtmuskelns blodperfusion med EKG-triggad laserdoppler under vissa förutsättningar. Signalen är dock i många fall svårtolkad på grund av att t ex hög hjärtfrekvens, onormal hjärtväggsrörelse eller ändrad probposition sannolikt kan ge variationer i perfusionssignalen som inte är relaterade till blodflödesförändringar. / Report code: LIU-TEK-LIC-2007:35.

Thesis (MScPhysio (Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Study Aim: To describe the profile and selected outcomes of CABG patients admitted in the Cape metropolitan area. Design: A prospective descriptive study design with a multicentre observational approach was followed. Method: All patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery, whether elective or emergency, during a three-month period (15 August–15 November 2005) were included in the study. Demographic data, pre-operative medical status, intra-operative, as well as post-operative information were collected using a self-designed structured initial assessment form (SIA). Means and standard deviations were calculated where applicable. Relationships between different variables were analyzed by means of: ANOVA, correlations, linear and logistic regressions. Where it appeared that the ANOVA assumptions were violated, non-parametric bootstrap techniques were employed. Results: Two hundred and forty five patients were admitted to the seven hospitals which provide CABG surgery in the Cape metropolitan area in the allotted period. The profile of patients admitted to private and state institutions were similar. The mean age of the sample was 60 (±10). The mean LOS of the total cohort was 12 (±5.5) days, with patients in the state hospitals staying longer 13.4 days (± 7.1). Patients who were older than 60 were twice as likely to have a LOS >12days (odds ratio = 2.49; 95% confidence interval = 1.33 to 4.65). The development of a pleural effusion or pneumothorax was associated with an increased LOS (p<0.01). At least one PPC was reported in 65% of the population. A mortality rate of only 3% was reported. Conclusion: Patients in this cohort were younger than in developed countries. An age greater than 60 years was a predictor of an LOS >12days in the current cohort. Patients were most likely to develop a PPC on day three after CABG surgery. Physiotherapeutic intervention, if any, would be well aimed at those patients older than 60 years of age. Screening of patients in the first three post-operative days for the development of PPCs is also advised.