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(Circulation. 2007;115:1147-1153.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.

Heart Disease in Latin America

Advances in Coronary Heart Disease Surgery in Latin America

Enrique P. Gurfinkel, MD, PhD; Veronica S. Lernoud, MD; Ruben P. Laguens, MD; Roberto R. Favaloro, MD

From the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Favaloro Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Reprint requests to Enrique P. Gurfinkel, MD, PhD, Av. Belgrano 1746, (1093), Fundacion Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail epgurfinkel{at}ffavaloro.org

Received February 27, 2006; accepted April 18, 2006.

Background— The beginnings of coronary artery bypass graft in Latin America could be set in the year 1971. Since then, improvements in technique and greater experience have resulted in a rapid increase in the rate of interventions performed in the region.

Methods and Results— Searches through PubMed and Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud, as well as personal communications from specialists from Latin America, have been the source of information. Articles were selected by their content related to the theme, and the authors’ nationality and information is mainly from Latin America. Demographic information of the population of Latin America denotes higher age averages, and this implies an increase in the severity of comorbidities in patients who undergo surgery. Longer life expectancy and improvements in medical therapy have implied that patients survive a first intervention beyond the expected time a bypass persists patent. Wall vessel properties of arterial conduits, plus a better anastomotic technique, seem to be the current solution to worsening in the coronary health of patients who undergo revascularization surgery in Latin America.

Conclusions— Despite scarce economic investment in medical sciences, many academic groups contribute to the exploration of therapeutic pharmacological combinations and inclusively apply genetic strategies.

Key Words: cardiopulmonary bypass • coronary disease • epidemiology • revascularization