Combined off-pump coronary revascularization: ascending aorta to carotid bypass

A 76-year-old man with symptomatic cerebral vascular disease and coronary artery disease was treated with simultaneous off-pump bypass and cerebral revascularization. With the emergence of off-pump coronary artery operation as a viable option for coronary revascularization we believe that this procedure will become our method of choice for combined cerebral and coronary artery disease.     

Simultaneous lung resection for cancer and myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting)

Backround

Patients with resectable lung cancer and unstable coronary heart disease are at high risk of postoperative death or severe cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to present the early results of radical lung resection for cancer with simultaneous myocardial revascularization on the beating heart (off-pump coronary artery bypass [OPCAB]).

Methods

From 1999 to 2002, thirteen patients (9 men and 4 women, aged 54 to 71 years, mean age 64 yrs) with resectable lung cancer and unstable angina or a recent history of myocardial infarction, were operated on. All of them underwent coronary angiography and neither coronary angioplasty nor stenting were feasible. Eight lobectomies, three pneumonectomies, and two wedge resections were carried out together with aortocoronary graft implantation (mean number of grafts: 1.7 per patient). Myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass (OPCAB) preceded the lung resections. The preferred approach to the heart and lung was by sternotomy.

Results

There were no postoperative deaths in this group of patients. The most frequent postoperative complication was prolonged air leakage and one patient required respiratory support for two days. In one patient, significant blood loss was observed with a need for rethoracotomy. Transient supraventricular cardiac arrhythmias occurred in three patients. None of the patients showed evidence of myocardial ischemia after surgery. Patients were followed up for 7 to 36 months. None had acute myocardial infarction. In one patient, who underwent lobectomy, local recurrence was found. In another patient, who underwent pneumonectomy, distant metastases occurred in the third year of observation.

Conclusions

Lung resection carried out simultaneously with OPCAB is a safe and effective method for the treatment of lung cancer and myocardial ischemia.     

Global myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass using innovative techniques for myocardial stabilization and perfusion

BACKGROUND: In off-pump coronary bypass grafting (CABG), invasiveness is reduced but technically perfect anastomosis is jeopardized by cardiac motion and the need to hurry to reduce the time of ischemia. Also, a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality is ungrafted circumflex coronary artery disease. We have devised a means of overcoming these shortcomings and performing multivessel CABG. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of our technique. METHODS: One hundred patients with severe triple-vessel disease underwent multivessel off-pump CABG. For cardiac stabilization, a combination of local pericardial stabilization sutures and lifting and rotating the heart by means of posterior pericardial sutures were used. For myocardial perfusion, a technique of retrograde coronary sinus perfusion by arterial blood from the ascending aorta was used. RESULTS: Each patient received an average of 3.8 grafts (range 3 to 5). Complications included conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in 1 patient and a perioperative myocardial infarction in the same patient. In all other patients we were able to perform a satisfactory grafting in all territories with no operative mortality. Rapid recovery allowed 95% of our patients to resume normal activity within 1 month. A predischarge graft angiogram in 35 patients showed 97.8% patency. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that off-pump CABG with our techniques is effective and safe. Early clinical outcome and excellent patency rates suggest its more widespread use in selected cases.     

Brachiocephalic revascularization: a comparison between carotid-subclavian artery bypass and axilloaxillary artery bypass.

Sixty-seven patients who underwent carotid-subclavian bypass (CSBP) (28 CSBPs only and eight with carotid endarterectomy) or axilloaxillary artery bypass (n = 31) with polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were followed up for a mean of 69.2 and 71.9 months, respectively. Indications for surgery in the CSBP group included hemispheric transient ischemic attack (TIA)/cerebrovascular accident in five, nonhemispheric TIA in seven, upper extremity ischemia in 15, and combined TIA and arm ischemia in nine patients. In the axilloaxillary artery group, two patients had hemispheric TIA, five had nonhemispheric TIA, 12 had upper extremity ischemia, and 12 had combined TIA and arm ischemia. Graft patency was determined clinically and confirmed by segmental Doppler pressures, duplex ultrasonography, or angiography. The 30-day mortality rate was approximately 3% in both groups. The 30-day complication rate was 3% for the axilloaxillary artery group and 8% for the CSBP group (not statistically significant). Relief of symptoms was achieved in 100% of patients in both groups; however, 20% of the patients in the axilloaxillary artery group had a recurrence of symptoms, in contrast to 5.6% in the CSBP group. The cumulative 10-year primary and secondary patency rates, calculated by life-table analysis, were 66% and 84.6% for the axilloaxillary artery procedures and 93.8% and 93.8% for the CSBP procedures, respectively (statistically significant). Concomitant carotid endarterectomy with CSBP did not influence graft patency. In conclusion, both bypasses have comparable morbidity and mortality rates; however, the CSBP has a statistically significantly better primary patency rate than the axilloaxillary artery bypass. Therefore CSBP should be the procedure of choice and the axilloaxillary artery bypass should be restricted to high-risk patients.     

升主动脉粥样硬化患者的冠状动脉旁路移植

目的 总结冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病合并升主动脉粥样硬化患者冠状动脉旁路移植手术的特点。方法 22例患者中,13例采用非体外循环、心脏不停跳下冠状动脉旁路移植术(59％);9例采用低温体外循环(41％),其中5例在深低温、低流量并间断停循环条件下不阻断升主动脉行旁路-升主动脉近端吻合。结果 20例康复出院,术后早期死亡2例;并发症有肺部感染、心绞痛、室颤、急性心肌梗死和血胸,无神经系统并发症。结论 减少术中升主动脉操作是防止升主动脉损伤和减少并发症的关键。应用带蒂动脉旁路、旁路远端序贯吻合和近端Y形吻合可避免或减少旁路-升主动脉吻合;低温体外循环加左心室引流时,可不阻断升主动脉行旁路远端吻合;深低温、低流量并间断停循环下行旁路-升主动脉吻合,可避免阻断和部分阻断升主动脉,利于控制并发症。     

Endotoxemia in coronary artery bypass surgery: a comparison of the off-pump technique and conventional cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVES: The endotoxemia associated with cardiac surgery is thought to be dominantly influenced by the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. The objectives of this study were to assess the relative contribution of cardiopulmonary bypass on endotoxemia apart from cardiac surgical access and to improve our understanding of the potential benefits of off-pump procedures. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were followed up prospectively. The patients were divided into 2 equal groups: those who underwent bypass grafting through a sternotomy incision without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump group) and those who underwent bypass grafting through a sternotomy incision with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB group). Blood sampling for endotoxin, lactate, and cardiac index measurements were performed during the following time points: (1) after sternotomy; (2) during the coronary occlusion period in the off-pump group and during aortic clamping in the CPB group; (3) after removal of the coronary occlusion sutures in the off-pump group and after removal of the aortic clamp in the CPB group; (4) 30 minutes after the completion of all distal anastomoses in the off-pump group and immediately after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass in the CPB group; (5) 1 hour postoperatively; and (6) 12 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Endotoxin and lactate levels were significantly (P <.05) lower in the off-pump group at all sampling time points, except after sternotomy. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study has shown that endotoxemia during coronary artery bypass surgery seems mainly to be associated with cardiopulmonary bypass procedure. The relatively lower endotoxin levels observed in off-pump surgery might contribute to improved postoperative recovery.     

Management of porcelain aorta and calcified great vessels in coronary artery bypass grafting with off-pump and no-touch technology

A 69-year-old woman presented with postinfarct unstable angina and decreased ventricular function secondary to significant left main coronary artery stenosis in combination with total right coronary artery occlusion. We did successful off-pump coronary revascularization in this patient with severely calcified ascending aorta and great vessels, subtotal aortobiiliac stenoses, a history of previous stroke, and right carotid endarterectomy.     

Apicoaortic valved conduit is a good alternative for aortic stenosis with porcelain aorta after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

We report a case of aortic stenosis with porcelain aorta using an apicoaortic valved conduit after 'aortic no touch' off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Apicoaortic valved conduit is a good surgical option for this patient to avoid re-entry through the sternum, injury to patent graft and manipulation of the porcelain ascending aorta.     

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.     

Complete revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting with and without cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of complete revascularization on the beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as compared with the standard operation with CPB in elective low-risk patients with multivessel disease has not been clearly demonstrated in a prospective trial. METHODS: Eighty selected low-risk patients were enrolled. In preoperative study with coronary angiography, the decision was made whether complete revascularization without CPB could be performed. Patients were randomly assigned to receive CABG either with (n = 40) or without CPB (n = 40). Randomization criteria were age, sex, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Completeness of revascularization as well as short- and mid-term clinical outcome in a 13.4 +/- 6.5 month follow-up period were monitored. RESULTS: Twenty-six of 40 (65%) patients undergoing CABG without CPB underwent complete revascularization. In 5 of these patients (12.5%) suitable vessels were discarded for technical reasons and 9 patients (22.5%) were switched to CABG with CPB owing to the deeply intramyocardial course of target vessels (n = 5) or to hemodynamic instability (n = 4). In the group of patients operated on with CPB, 34 of 40 patients (85%) received complete revascularization. In 6 patients (15%) suitable vessels were discarded for technical reasons. Mean number of bypass grafts was 3.1 +/- 0.8 with CPB and 2.6 +/- 0.5 without CPB (p = 0.043). Clinical outcome and hospital stay were comparable in both groups. No patient died during the study period. No myocardial infarction was observed. Three patients undergoing CABG without CPB underwent successful PTCA 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: CABG without the use of CPB is effective for complete revascularization in the majority of selected low-risk patients. Nevertheless, it has to be stated that the rate of incomplete revascularization in this early series of CABG without CPB is higher, and compromises the basic principle of complete revascularization.     

Subclavian artery revascularization: a comparison between carotid-subclavian artery bypass and subclavian-carotid transposition

Extrathoracic revascularization has become the most popular form of surgical treatment of symptomatic subclavian disease. Despite the many theoretical advantages, subclavian-carotid transposition (SCT) has not gained wide popularity. During a 15-year period, 46 patients underwent carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB) or SCT for symptoms referable to occlusion of the subclavian artery. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 148 months (mean, 46.9 months). Seven-year actuarial patency rate was 100% for SCT and 86% +/- 7% for CSB (p = NS). Mean operative time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly reduced for SCT (p less than 0.05). After CSB a continuous deterioration of the hemodynamic status of the reconstruction was noted, whereas there were no significant changes after SCT (p less than 0.05). Whenever feasible, SCT should be considered the operation of choice for patients with symptomatic severe subclavian artery disease.     

Clinical applications of femoral vein-to-artery cannulation for mechanical cardiopulmonary support and bypass

Femoral vein-to-artery partial and total cardiopulmonary bypass was employed in 117 patients. The technique was utilized for (1) preoperative circulatory support in the presence of florid heart failure or shock; (2) circulatory support, cooling, and reinfusion of excessive blood losses from inadvertent but anticipated injury of a cardiac chamber or of great vessels during exposure of the heart; (3) elective intracardiac procedures through a left thoracotomy; and (4) partial cardiopulmonary bypass for operations on the descending thoracic aorta. The femoral vein-to-artery peripheral cannulation provided satisfactory flows in most of these patients. Details of technique and indications in a wide variety of clinical situations are presented.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with an atherosclerotic ascending aorta

OBJECTIVES: We review the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with a severe atherosclerotic ascending aorta. METHODS: Subjects were 31 patients averaging 69.4 +/- 6.9 years old studied from 1990 through 1998. Ascending aortic lesions were assessed using epiaortic echo and 2 types of aortic nonclamping techniques applied. In 29 patients operated on in the early years, bypass grafting was conducted on the hypothermic fibrillated heart in 22 and on the beating heart in 7. The remaining 2 underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting more recently. For cases with multivessel disease, we used composite grafting. RESULTS: Three patients developed mild stroke and 5 died within 30 days of surgery--4 from multiple emboli (1 accompanied by a stroke) and 1 from perioperative myocardial infarction. One hospital death occurred due to brain damage and multiorgan failure following unexpected rupture of a saphenous vein graft. No cardiac deaths occurred in the late stage of our series. Actuarial survival was 73.0% for 3 years and 68.0% for 5 years. Freedom from cardiac events was favorable in the remaining 25 survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome was suboptimal for the risks involved. Recent technical advances, including coronary surgery on the beating heart with or without cardiopulmonary bypass using variable in-situ or free arterial grafts, associated with adequate evaluation of systemic atherosclerosis, should improve this outcome.     

Integrated approach for revascularization in multivessel coronary artery disease and porcelain aorta

We report two cases in which combined beating heart revascularization of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and percutaneous angioplasty of the non-LAD target arteries were adopted after the intraoperative detection of porcelain aorta and impossibility to complete surgical revascularization. This type of strategy preserves the benefits of surgical LAD grafting and complete revascularization and results in a simple and low-risk technical procedure in an otherwise challenging setting.     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: comparison between standard CABG and off-pump CABG

We have performed 321 cases of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), between October 15 1995 and November 20 2000. We have evaluated the operative results of 142 cases (44.2%) of conventional CABG and 179 cases (55.8%) of off-pump CABG performed during this period. The average numbers of bypassed grafts was 3.53 for conventional CABG, and 1.62 for off-pump CABG. The total number of 369 grafts were anastomosed to 501 coronary arteries for conventional CABG, and 283 grafts were anastomosed to 290 coronary arteries for off-pump CABG. RESULTS: Although two saphenous veins were occluded, the early postoperative patency rate was 100% for conventional CABG using RITA, LITA, GEA and RA. Three site of stenosis in 18 LITAs and 2 in 16 RITAs were recognized in off-pump CABG without the use of stabilizers. One site of stenosis in 130 LITAs and 3 string signs in 44 GEA were recognized in off-pump CABG with the use of stabilizers. Postoperative angiography in 52 off-pump CABG cases at one year later showed no new lesion. CONCLUSION: The use of stabilizers and LIMA suture enables adaptation of the MIDCAB procedure to a wider range of coronary artery bypass procedures, and a higher graft patency can be expected.     

Axillary artery cannulation: routine use in ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement

Background

Ideal perfusion during ascending aorta-arch surgery should allow easy implementation of antegrade cerebral perfusion while avoiding atheroembolization or false lumen perfusion in dissections. We report favorable experience with direct axillary artery cannulation.

Methods

Between 1999 and 2003, 284 patients with a mean age of 62.2 years (25 to 85), underwent axillary artery cannulation using a right angle wire-reinforced catheter. During this interval, attempted axillary cannulation was abandoned in only 14 patients because of inadequate backflow or other complications. Eighty-five patients were female. Severe aortic arteriosclerosis or degeneration was present in 209, aortic dissection in 63, and Marfan disease or aortitis in 12. The Bentall procedure was done in 144 patients, arch replacement in 86, the Yacoub procedure in 18, thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair in 16, and coronary artery bypass grafting in 20. Reoperations were at 30.2%.

Results

Adverse outcome (hospital death or permanent stroke) occurred in 6.6% (n = 19). Thirteen patients (4.6%) died before hospital discharge, and 13 patients (4.6%; 9 of whom died) suffered permanent stroke. Transient neurologic dysfunction occurred in 9.2% (n = 26). Mean duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest, used in 246 patients, was 26 ±7 minutes. Mean duration of antegrade cerebral perfusion, used in 139 patients, was 47 ± 23 minutes. In 93%, the right axillary artery was cannulated. Complications included 2 cases (0.7%) of brachial plexus injury (one transient), and 3 (1%) of localized dissection.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that axillary artery cannulation, successful in 95% of patients, may be the optimal technique for reducing perfusion-related morbidity and adverse outcome in operations for acute dissection, atherosclerotic, and degenerative aneurysmal disease. It deserves serious consideration in all patients older than 65 requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Cannulation of the ascending aorta for cardiopulmonary bypass. Experience with 9,000 cases.

The Cleveland Clinic team has now accumulated experience with cannulation of the ascending aorta for arterial return in more than 9,000 patients. Since adoption of this technique, only one lethal dissection has occurred and other related complications have been minimal. Technique, surgical pitfalls, contraindications, and complications of ascending aortic cannulation are discussed in this communication.