Current status of coronary artery surgery

After a decade of experience with direct coronary artery surgery, certain conclusions have been made regarding its benefits and indications. Conclusion one is that the operation is highly successful in eliminating or alleviating angina; two, it improves exercise tolerance, and three, it prolongs life in patients with significant left main coronary artery disease. The proper selection of patients and the current technique of operation are also presented. Presented at the 79th Annual Congress of the Japan Surgical Society, Sapparo, 1979 May.     

Surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm

Two successful cases of the surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm (non-Kawasaki disease) were reported. The first case had a saccular aneurysm on the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) #14. Resection of the LCx aneurysm was performed subsequent to single vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the distal portion of LCx#14 under the cardioplegic cardiac arrest. The second case had aneurysms on both the left anterior descending artery (LAD) #7 (fusiform) and the LCx#11 (saccular). After double vessel CABG to LAD#7 and LCx#11, ligation or resection of two aneurysms was performed successfully. Postoperative courses have been uneventful with good angiographic results achieved. Since these surgical procedures demonstrated safety, the patients are expected to achieve a good long-term prognosis.     

Surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm

Two successful cases of the surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm (non-Kawasaki disease) were reported. The first case had a saccular aneurysm on the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) #14. Resection of the LCx aneurysm was performed subsequent to single vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the distal portion of LCx#14 under the cardioplegic cardiac arrest. The second case had aneurysms on both the left anterior descending artery (LAD) #7 (fusiform) and the LCx#11 (saccular). After double vessel CABG to LAD#7 and LCx#11, ligation or resection of two aneurysms was performed successfully. Postoperative courses have been uneventful with good angiographic results achieved. Since these surgical procedures demonstrated safety, the patients are expected to achieve a good long-term prognosis.     

Coronary artery and graft spasm after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

We report a case of a 52-year-old man with severe coronary artery and graft spasm after triple-vessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Emergent coronary angiography was performed to identify the location and severity of the spasm. Intracoronary injections of several vasodilators failed to relieve the spasm. Observational treatments including intra-aortic balloon pump and inotropic drugs to increase coronary flow were performed until the spasm resolved. The patient recovered and was discharged. A follow-up coronary angiography revealed patent native coronary artery and bypass grafts without evidence of residual spasm.     

Coronary stenting for coronary artery narrowing in a heart transplant recipient

Transplant atherosclerotic coronary disease remains the leading cause of death in heart transplant recipients. We report the first case of coronary stent implantation in a heart graft for epicardial focal stenosis. Due to the lower rate of restenosis after stenting in the native coronary artery, we suggest that coronary stenting be considered an acceptable, first intention therapeutic option instead of angioplasty alone whenever possible.     

影像学诊断先天性左冠状动脉主干闭锁

目的探讨影像学诊断先天性左冠状动脉主干闭锁(LMCAA)的可行性。方法回顾性分析6例LMCAA患者,男3例、女3例,1例成人、5例婴幼儿。6例均接受超声心动图、多排螺旋CT(MDCT)及心血管造影检查。结果 1例超声提示左冠状动脉内径偏细,起源显示欠清晰,不除外左冠状动脉异常起源于肺动脉;1例超声提示左冠状动脉近段发育细,似壁内走行、开口狭窄;另4例超声仅提示二尖瓣脱垂并大量反流,冠状动脉未探及异常。5例经MDCT明确诊断为左冠状动脉主干闭锁,1例不除外左冠状动脉主干开口重度狭窄或闭锁。6例经心血管造影检查均明确诊断为LMCAA。结论 LMCAA属罕见先天性心脏病,超声可提示该病;CT对多数患者可明确诊断;心血管造影检查是诊断LMCAA的金标准。     

Coronary artery spasm after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery spasm (CAS) in the immediate postoperative period has been recognized as a possible cause for perioperative myocardial ischaemia after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It varies in severity and can be associated with circulatory collapse and death. The purpose of this study was to present our experiences on CAS after off-pump CABG and detail its management. METHODS: The case reports of three patients with similar clinical presentations of ischaemic heart disease who underwent CABG using an off-pump technique are reviewed. Severe manifestations of CAS in the immediate postoperative period with documented angiographic findings are presented. RESULTS: Three patients (two men and one woman) with angina pectoris were diagnosed with coronary artery disease using coronary angiography. The elective off-pump CABG was uneventful; however, severe manifestation of myocardial ischaemia with abrupt onset developed at the intensive care unit. All three patients underwent immediate coronary angiography to verify the diagnosis of CAS. Apart from intracoronary nitroglycerine infusion and medical support with inotropic agents, extracorporeal membranous oxygenation was carried out because of severe haemodynamic deterioration in one case, while support was required with intraaortic balloon pumping in another. All three patients made a full recovery. CONCLUSION: Coronary artery spasm can severely complicate the postoperative course for patients undergoing off-pump CABG, leading to myocardial ischaemia or infarction, life-threatening arrhythmias, persistent hypotension and even cardiac arrest. Early awareness and diagnosis of CAS with the establishment of appropriate management strategies may prevent its potentially lethal consequences.     

Grade of left main coronary artery stenosis does not influence long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass surgery

Objective. To assess if grade of left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis influences early or long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Design. Among all 1 384 patients with LMCA stenosis at Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden during 1990–1999, 131 deaths occurred within 5 years of surgery (cases). Matched controls (n=146) were randomly selected from all surviving LMCA patients taking gender, age and year of surgery into account. Angiographies were classified for grade of LMCA stenosis before the operation. Results. High-grade LMCA stenosis was equally common among cases and controls (50 vs. 45%). The odds ratio (OR) of mortality 5 years after the operation in patients with high-grade versus low-grade LMCA stenosis based on the matched pairs was 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–2.0) and after multivariable adjustment using information on all subjects the OR was 1.0 (95% CI 0.6–1.7). For early and one year mortality similar odds ratios were observed but with wide confidence intervals. Conclusions. Grade of LMCA stenosis does not appear to influence early or long-term mortality after CABG performed during 1990–1999.     

Surgical treatment of coronary artery aneurysms

Introduction

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are rare. We present our experience with the surgical treatment of patients with CAAs.

Methods

Between March 2000 and October 2016, 15 patients with CAA underwent surgery.

Results

Mean age of patients was 60 ± 16 years and 47% (n = 7) were male. Kawasaki syndrome was present in two (13%) patients and 7% (n = 1) patients had Marfan syndrome. Isolated CAAs were found in 73% (n = 11) and involvement of multiple vessels was present in 27% (n = 4) of patients. Coronary arteries (CA) affected by aneurysms were: 19% (n = 4) left main stem, 33% (n = 7) left anterior descending, 14% (n = 3) left circumflex, and 33% (n = 7) right coronary artery. The majority of patients (93%, n = 14) were operated on pump with a mean cross‐clamp time of 51 ± 23 min. 53% (n = 8) of patients received total arterial CA bypass grafting, while the remaining patients (47%, n = 7) received venous ± internal thoracic artery grafts. Resection/ligation of CAA was performed in 27% (n = 4) of patients. In‐hospital mortality was 0% (n = 0). Follow‐up was complete for 100% of patients and comprised a total of 80 patient‐years. During follow‐up, only one patient (7%) required re‐intervention.

Conclusion

Surgical treatment of CAA has good short‐ and long‐term results.     

Massive coronary spasm of the native coronary system after coronary artery bypass grafting: Two patients with different outcomes

We report the cases of two patients who developed a massive spasm of the native coronary system in the immediate postoperative period, following a coronary artery bypass grafting operation with different outcomes. The first patient was hemodynamic stable and it was manifested as ischemic electrocardiographic changes in different leads (ST elevation or depression). He was treated with intracoronary and intravenous administration of nitroglycerin and calcium channel blocker and had a favorable outcome. The second patient died due to multiorgan failure and hemorrhagic shock, after the implantation of a central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.