intraoperative findings of severity of coronary artery disease: the importance of low - density lipoprotein cholesterol control

the correlation between severity and extent of coronary artery disease (cad) and lipid measurement was assessed in 152 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (cabg). tfie severity and extent of cad was determined under direct vision of a cardiac surgeon during the cabg. patients were divided into two groups: 1. those with very severe and diffuse cad that all their coronaries were severely diseased. 2) those with less severe cad that their involvement limitted to certain coronary branches. patient with all coronary involvement revealded significantly higher mean level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (ldl-c). tliese paitents had also higher mean levels of total cholestrol (tc) and lower mean high density lipoprotein (hdl-c); but these differences were not statistically significant. only 18% of our patients had desirable lipid levels-after cabg. we concluded that higher (ldl-c) levels may related with more severe cad. however, this is a cross-sectional study; so a carefali controlled prospective study is recommended. because new studies revealed that lower (ldl-c) levels (ldl <100) mgldl help to maintenance of graft's patency, more attention to ldl-c control after cabg is necessary.