Aortic valve replacement after midline-crossed internal thoracic artery grafting

In the presence of a midline-crossed internal thoracic artery graft, a median sternotomy may jeopardize the graft and compromise hemodynamics. We report successful aortic valve replacement using a "staircase" thoracotomy and hypothermic axillary perfusion with balloon aortic occlusion in 2 men who had patent right internal thoracic artery grafts that was previously anastomosed to the left anterior descending coronary artery.     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass via left thoracotomy in patient with infective pancreatic fistula after surgery for bile duct carcinoma; report of a case

A 62-year-old man with infective pancreatic fistula after surgery for bile duct carcinoma underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) through left thoracotomy to avoid the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and the postoperative mediastinitis, since this patient has infective pancreatic fistula close to the xiphoid process. The coronary arterial revascularizations were performed: left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending branch and saphenous vein graft to descending thoracic aorta. The aortic mechanical anastomosis device, aortic connector, was utilized the proximal anastomosis of saphenous vein graft so as to avoid aortic clamp, while the distal anastomoses were completed with stabilizer and apical retraction device. Postoperative angiogram showed both grafts were patent. No signs of infection or recurrence of malignant neoplasm was observed. OPCAB via left thoracotomy is one of useful options for patients in whom median sternotomy is not suitable approach for myocardial revascularizations.     

Reoperative off-pump coronary artery bypass via left thoracotomy with porcelain aorta; left axillary artery to circumflex artery bypass; report of a case

A 62-year-old man who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) [left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-left anterior descending (LAD), saphenous vein graft (SVG) right coronary artery (RCA)] 13 years previously developed angina pectoris and congestive heart failure because of occlusion of SVG and native vessels. Coronary angiography (CAG) revealed that inflow to the coronary artery remained only from LITA. Repeat off-pump CABG (OPCAB) with SVG to the circumflex artery via left thoracotomy was performed. The proximal end of SVG was anastomosed to the left axillary artery because of the porcelain aorta and the patent LITA graft. The patient developed no complications and was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 21. OPCAB for circumflex artery by left thoracotomy is an effective and safe approach in redo CABG, particularly in instances of patent LITA.     

非体外循环下双侧乳内动脉Y型桥的冠状动脉旁路移植术125例

目的总结非体外循环下采用双侧乳内动脉Y型桥进行完全心肌血运重建的冠状动脉旁路移植手术125例的近期疗效。方法2002年10月至2005年12月,完成125例不停跳非体外循环下双侧乳内动脉Y型桥的冠状动脉旁路移植手术,术中采用带蒂半骨骼化的方法分别取材左、右侧的乳内动脉,将左、右乳内动脉端侧吻合成Y型桥;在非体外循环下,应用序贯吻合的方法进行冠状动脉搭桥手术。结果全组125例患者共搭桥413支,平均搭桥支数3．3支／例。术中流量测定桥血管均通畅。全组患者无围手术期死亡。结论非体外循环下双乳内动脉Y型桥的冠状动脉旁路移植手术是安全、有效的方法,可以实现全动脉化的完全心肌血运重建,又避免手术中对升主动脉的操作,近期效果满意。     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting via partial sternotomy. An alternative to left anterior small thoracotomy.

Four patients, who were considered to be inappropriate candidates for left anterior small thoracotomy, underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting via partial sternotomy. Under a median skin incision over the lower half of the sternum, the sternum below the second rib was cut in an "inverted L" (or "C") shape. Without cardiopulmonary bypass, the left internal thoracic artery was anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery in all patients, and a saphenous vein graft was anastomosed to the right coronary artery in one of them. Partial sternotomy has some advantages as an alternative to left anterior small thoracotomy, in that it enables multiple-bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass and conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass, should it be come necessary, would be relatively uncomplicated.     

Redo-OPCAB via left thoracotomy using symmetry aortic connector system: a report of two cases

Left thoracotomy is an established approach for redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This approach has also been successfully used in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). Traditionally, the grafts have been anastomosed proximally to the descending thoracic aorta or the left subclavian artery. Recently, proximal connectors have been introduced by various manufacturers for use on ascending aorta during primary CABG and OPCAB. One such device is the Symmetry aortic connector system (St. Jude Medical, Minneapolis, MN). These devices have obviated the need for partial occluding clamps for the construction of the proximal anastomoses and hence are extremely useful when the aorta is heavily calcified. We used this device successfully in two patients undergoing redo-OPCAB, where the proximal anastomosis was constructed on the descending aorta. In so doing, we also used the shortest possible length of vein graft since the descending aorta at that level was much closer than the left subclavian artery. This can be an additional factor in redo-operations where the availability of vein can be an issue.     

Reoperative coronary artery bypass via left thoracotomy.

The patient was a 49-year-old woman. When she was 39 years old, she underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery, saphenous vein graft to first diagonal branch). At the age 48, she had effort angina. On coronary angiography, triple-vessel disease was found, and she was treated conservatively. Progression of the disease was confirmed with detection of the left circumflex artery associated with jeopardized collateral to the right coronary artery showing total occlusion. The patient underwent reoperation. Since the left internal thoracic artery was patent despite occlusion of the saphenous vein graft, the approach of left thoracotomy was employed. Under cardiopulmonary bypass with ventricular fibrillation and left vent through left atrial appendage, the right radial artery was anastomosed to the left circumflex artery from the descending thoracic aorta, and the right gastroepiploic artery was anastomosed to the right coronary artery (4AV branch). Patency of the bypass was confirmed postoperatively. We consider this operative technique was especially useful for reoperation in cases of a patent internal thoracic artery in which left thoracotomy can be conducted safely.     

Bilateral radial arterial T graft and the left thoracotomy approach for second redo coronary artery bypass grafting.

We herein report a case of third coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using a bilateral radial artery T graft. There were patent grafts on the anterior aspect of the heart other than the occluded left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. A T shaped bilateral radial artery conduit was anastomosed from the left subclavian artery to the LAD and first diagonal branch through a left thoracotomy approach. Postoperative angiography demonstrated excellent flow of radial artery conduits. Left thoracotomy with the use of a bilateral radial artery T graft is a useful substitute for anterior re-sternotomy entry in redo CABG.     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for the circumflex coronary artery via the left thoracotomy in redo CABG with the patent left internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending artery.

Five patients had undergone off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as redo CABG via the left thoracotomy for the lesions of the left circumflex coronary arteries. In all patients, the internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts to the LAD were well patent and acting significantly important in coronary circulation, however, ischemia due to the lesion of the LCX was significant. The saphenous vein grafts or the radial artery grafts were used as the materials of the grafts. The proximal ends of these grafts were anastomosed to the descending aorta. The procedures were completed successfully in all the patients and the excellent patency was shown angiographycally even in the long-term period after the surgery. Necessity of graft surgery only for the LCX lesion would be a rare occasion for a surgeon; however, these results suggest that the procedure is simple and less risky, which would encourage the surgeon to perform it in clinical situation.     

Reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass

Between October 1995 and Feburary 1997, 2 men and 4 women aged 53 to 75 years (mean, 66.3) underwent reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass. Isolated reoperative circumflex or intermediate artery bypass was performed through a left thoracotomy (n=2), reoperative bypass to the left anterior descending coronary aretery was performed through a median sternotomy (n=3), and bypass to the right coronary artery was performed through an upper median laparotomy (n=1). Single coronary bypass grafting utilizing arterial grafts (left internal thoracic artery: 3, right gastroepiploic artery: 3) was performed in all cases. There were no operative deaths. All cases required neither cathecolamine nor intraaortic balloon pumping). Peri/post operative blood transfusion was necessary in only one case. Postoperative coronary angiography revealed that the 6 arterial grafts were patent. Reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass can be performed with low perioperative morbidity and mortality, easy postoperative management, satisfactory graft patency, and good symptomatic improvement.     

Off-pump redo coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: Conventional redo coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with significant morbidity. The danger of reoperation is mainly in reopening the sternum and in the manipulation of the heart and the old grafts. Therefore, off-pump redo coronary artery bypass grafting with a patient-specific approach in selected cases seems an ideal technique. METHODS: Between October 1995 to September 1999, 50 patients with mean age of 61.8+/-8 years underwent reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass. Isolated left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending artery (LAD) anastomosis was carried out in 25 cases through left anterior minithoracotomy. In 1 patient LIMA was grafted on a previous vein graft to LAD, which was critically stenosed proximally but distal anastomosis was patent. In another case LIMA was grafted to Ramus intermedius branch. Midsternotomy approach was used to carry out LAD and right coronary artery grafting in 21 cases. In 2 patients a posterolateral thoracotomy approach was used to bypass obtuse marginal branches without cardiopulmonary bypass; in these cases proximal anastomosis was performed on the descending aorta. RESULTS: Mortality rate was 4% (2 deaths). Two patients sustained perioperative myocardial infarction. No patient was reexplored for hemorrhage and 38 patients did not require homologous blood transfusion. Sixteen patients underwent check angiogram and all of them were found to have patent redo grafts. Cardiac recovery room stay was 22+/-7 hours and hospital stay 5+/-2 days. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients, reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed without cardiopulmonary bypass with a low perioperative morbidity and mortality and satisfactory graft patency.     

MIDCAB for redo patients using the LITA-RA composite graft

Redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with higher mortality, low-output syndrome, perioperative myocardial infarction than primary CABG. Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) technique avoids the manipulation of old graft and injury of the adhesive heart in redo operation. We performed the MIDCAB procedure for 2 redo cases using the left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-radial artery (RA) composite graft. The LITA-RA composite graft was anastomosed to the left anterior descending branch (LAD) through small left anterior thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative coronary artery graphy shows the widely patent of new graft. The MIDCAB procedure using the LITA-RA composite graft is safe and useful to regulate the bypass graft length and avoid the widely harvest of LITA in redo operation.     

机器人非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植与支架置入杂交手术

目的 总结"达芬奇S"(da Vinic S)机器人下非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植与支架置入杂交手术技术特点和优势.方法 2007年1～8月使用da Vinic S机器人系统,完成非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植共42例,其中10例因双支冠脉病变,在机器人旁路手术后行支架置入术.病人平均年龄为(62.3±12.1)岁,其中男8例,女2例.病人冠状动脉造影均显示严重的前降支病变,并合并有回旋支或右冠状动脉的局限性狭窄.所有病人肺功能良好,无胸膜炎和左侧胸腔手术史.机器人手术过程中无需正中开胸,仅左侧胸壁打直径为1 cm的器械臂孔3个,术者于da Vinic S系统的操作台前、三维成像系统下遥控机器人全程游离乳内动脉;其中4例直接行全机器人非体外行循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术(TECAB),另6例于左侧胸壁第4肋间作6～8cm的小切口,在心脏跳动下行乳内动脉和前降支的吻合(SVST).术后1周左右经股动脉常规行回旋支或右冠状动脉支架置入术.置入术中行乳内动脉造影评价再血管化效果.结果 病人术后恢复顺利,并成功接受支架置入术,乳内动脉旁路血管通畅,无并发症发生.结论 应用机器人微创冠脉旁路手术和支架置入杂交手术治疗冠心病,可最大限度的减小手术创伤并实现完全再血管化.     

Minimally invasive direct redo coronary artery bypass grafting.

Redo coronary artery bypass grafting due to graft failure and the progression of new lesions has been increasing in frequency recently. We are often forced to revascularize only the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in very elderly patients with a high risk to median sternotomy. We performed reoperative minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCABG) in seven patients. The target sites were as follows: LAD, 7; first diagonal branch, 1; and the graft material was the left internal thoracic artery (LITA), 7; and saphenous vein graft (SVG), 1. Complete revascularization was accomplished in all patients, by including hybrid therapy in three patients and axillo-coronary bypass grafting with SVGs in two patients. Postoperative angiography showed all patent grafts and all patients were discharged. During a mean follow-up period of 2.4 years (range: 0.5 to 3.5 years), all were free from cardiac events, except for one patient who had recurrent angina due to failure of a previously patent graft 3 years after redo MIDCAB. These results suggest that MIDCABG via left antero-lateral thoracotomy is an effective and safe technique in redo cases, as well as an alternative procedure for hybrid revascularization that combines minimally invasive revascularization of LAD with additional catheter interventional therapy.     

Reoperative minimally invasive axillocoronary artery bypass to the obtuse marginal branch

A 73-year-old man was admitted with unstable angina, having severe coronary artery disease involving 3 vessels. He had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting to the left anterior descending artery and the obtuse marginal branch using saphenous vein grafts in 1979. Computed tomography showed severe calcium deposition and atherosclerosis in the ascending and descending aorta. We conducted axillocoronary artery bypass to the obtuse marginal branch and left internal thoracic artery as an in situ graft to the left anterior descending artery without cardiopulmonary bypass. Grafts were satisfactory and clinical results good.     

Re-coronary artery bypass grafting using a MIDCAB technique in a patient with a patent RITA-LAD graft]

In a patient with a patent RITA-LAD (right internal thoracic artery-left anterior descending artery) graft, re-CABG (re-coronary artery bypass grafting) with re-median sternotomy has been a high risk procedure. A 56-year-old male underwent 4-CABG (RITA-LAD, LITA-Dx, SVG-PL, and SVG-RCA) nine years ago. Coronary angiography showed that the RITA-LAD graft was well patent, but there was 95% stenosis distal to RITA-LAD anastomosis site. We performed re-CABG (right gastroepiploic artery-LAD; RGEA-LAD), using MIDCAB (minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass) technique with neither re-median sternotomy nor cardiopulmonary bypass. The right gastroepiploic artery was harvested through a small upper median laparotomy and anastomosed to LAD through a small left anterior thoracotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. This technique seems to be useful for re-revascularization of the LAD in a patient with a patent RITA-LAD graft.     

Off-pump redo coronary artery bypass grafting from descending aorta to the posterolateral area through a left thoracotomy in patients with a patent internal thoracic artery graft

The patients were a 73-year-old man (Case 1) and 56-year-old man (Case 2) who developed angina pectoris and heart failure. Case 2 showed chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. These patients whowed posterolateral myocardial ischemia with a patent internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending artery. Left ventricle ejection fraction was 29% and 33%, respectively. Catheter intervention was unsuccessful, so we performed revascularization from the descending aorta to coronary arteries with saphenous vein grafts via a left thrracotomy using an off-pump technique. In case 2, proximal anastomosis was constructed with the Symmetric aortic connector. This procedure appeared to be a very safe and useful method as an option for redo coronary artery bypass grafting in the posterolateral area in patients with patent old grafts and poor left ventricular function.     

Off-pump obtuse marginal grafting with local stabilization: thoracotomy approach in reoperations.

BACKGROUND: Redo coronary surgery in patients with patent internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts may be hazardous. A thoracotomy approach has been used to graft the circumflex branches to avoid injury from sternal re-entry. Combining this approach with off-pump revascularization techniques may be useful. METHODS: Seven consecutive patients who had undergone prior coronary revascularization developed symptoms attributable to lateral wall ischemia. Five of them had patent IMA grafts. These patients underwent off-pump obtuse marginal grafting using local immobilization techniques via a thoracotomy approach. Inflow was from the descending aorta in 6 patients and splenic artery in 1. RESULTS: Obtuse marginal grafting was successfully performed in all cases without need for cardiopulmonary bypass. CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump obtuse marginal grafting via the thoracotomy route may be useful in redo coronary surgery, particularly in instances of patent IMA grafts.     

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting after renal transplantation: a case report

Twelve years after receiving a renal transplant, a 50-year-old woman developed asthmatic symptoms. Chest CT revealed a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. She had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention to treat the left anterior descending artery 10 years earlier. Coronary artery angiography revealed restenosis of the left anterior descending artery (99%, #6 in-stent). Because cardiopulmonary bypass may cause problems for transplanted kidney, we performed off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery) and thoracic endovascular graft placement to treat the aortic aneurysm. Considering that the artery of the transplanted kidney was attached to the right iliac artery, and then the left common femoral artery was selected as the access root for GORE TAG(?) endografts (34 × 200 and 34 × 150 mm) (stentgrafts were deployed for the descending aortic artery). Postoperative angiography showed a patent bypass graft. Postoperative CT confirmed the absence of endoleaks. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged without complications. Ischemic heart disease and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm in recipients of kidney transplants can be treated using off-pump coronary bypass grafting and thoracic endovascular graft placement. The transplanted kidney was protected without using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).     

Simultaneous Esophagectomy and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Report of a Case

We successfully performed off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) with concomitant esophagectomy in a 77-year-old man with esophageal cancer and severe stenosis of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed via median sternotomy and esophagectomy was done via the left thoracoabdominal approach. The patient was discharged with a patent graft 8 weeks after surgery. The benefits of OPCAB include that it is less invasive and heparinization can be avoided. This case report demonstrates that simultaneous OPCAB and esophagectomy is advantageous for a selected population with surgically correctable coronary artery disease and resectable esophageal cancer.