Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is associated with significant oxidative stress, particularly during periods of ischemia and reperfusion. For this reason, researchers have explored whether antioxidant support before surgery may influence postoperative outcomes.
Research published in the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia (December 2008; 22(6):832–839) examined the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation in patients scheduled for CABG surgery. In this randomized study, 30 patients received either a placebo or 150–180 mg of CoQ10 per day for seven to ten days prior to surgery.
Compared with the placebo group, patients receiving CoQ10 experienced shorter hospital stays, fewer reperfusion-related arrhythmias, reduced need for blood products (and less mediastinal drainage), and less postoperative myocardial dysfunction.
Additional research published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (January 2005; 129(1):25–32) evaluated 121 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. Sixty-two patients received 300 mg of CoQ10 daily for two weeks before surgery, while 59 received a placebo.
Mitochondrial tissue obtained from patients in the CoQ10 group demonstrated more efficient mitochondrial respiration and faster recovery from hypoxia compared with tissue from the placebo group. The authors concluded that CoQ10 supplementation improved mitochondrial resilience and reduced oxidative stress associated with cardiac surgery.
