Coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistulas.

Twelve patients with a total of 14 coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistulas were discovered at the time of diagnostic coronary angiography. Six patients had severe coronary artery disease, five patients had normal coronary arteriography, one patient had insignificant coronary artery disease, and one patient had rheumatic heart disease. Only two patients had characteristic continuous murmurs; one patient had a normal coronary angiogram, and the second patient had severe coronary artery disease. Ten fistulas originated from the left anterior descending artery, three from the right coronary artery, and one from the left circumflex artery. The fistulas were either composed of one large (five fistulas) or one or more small channels (seven fistulas) or poorly defined plexiform channels (two fistulas). Hydrogen studies performed in two patients were negative and dye dilution curves performed in all patients were normal. In only four out of the six patients with severe coronary artery disease, the fistulas originated from a diseased vessel and in each case the origin was proximal to the narrowing. The pathogenesis and functional role of these fistulas is largely unknown.     

Interosseous artery as an access artery in case of late radial artery occlusion

We report a new technique of arterial access through the ipsilateral interosseous artery in a case of late radial artery occlusion (RAO). RAO, although not frequent, is a limiting iatrogenic complication after transradial intervention (TRI) and precludes repeat use of the same radial artery for future procedures. Our technique involves obtaining access to the ipsilateral radial artery (RA) in the distal postocclusion segment and use of collateral channel between this segment and the interosseous artery (IOA) for advancing a guidewire and sheath in the IOA lumen and in brachial artery thereafter. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Coeliac artery aneurysm: aorto-hepatic artery reconstruction.

Aneurysms of the coeliac axis are rare. Up to 1997, 137 cases had been reported. Here we present a coeliac aneurysm which involved the origin of the splenic, left gastric, and common hepatic arteries. After making a midline incision, infra-diaphragmatic control of the aorta was obtained. The aorta was clamped for 25 minutes to resect the aneurysm. The defect at the origin of the coeliac axis was closed with 1.5 cm PTFE patch. The distal segments of the splenic and left gastric arteries were ligated. A 6-mm ringed PTFE graft was interposed between the infra-renal aorta and the proper hepatic artery. The control arteriogram showed a good arterial flow. The patient recovered uneventfully after surgery with normalisation of hepatic function.     

Single right coronary artery with absence of the left main coronary artery,left anterior descending artery,and circumflex artery

Single coronary artery is an extremely rare congenital coronary anomaly in which the entire coronary arterial system arises from a solitary ostium. The Lipton's classification is used for single coronary artery anomalies. Herein, we present a 72‐year‐old woman with single coronary artery anomaly admitted with atypical chest pain. Coronary angiography and multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography findings were shared.     

CT evaluation of renal artery embolism with ectopic artery

We present an 80-year-old woman, with a history of well-controlled hypertension and atrial fibrillation, who suffered from back pain and elevated blood pressure for 2 weeks prior to admission. At physical examination, a low-pitched systolic heart murmur was heard in the tricuspid area and there was mild tenderness in the left lower quadrant. Laboratory studies revealed an elevated hematocrit, lactate dehydrogenase, and liver aminotransferase. Macroscopic hematuria was present in urine and 20% eosinophils were detected with Hansel's stain method. Assuming a possible vascular embolic episode, angiography of the renal arteries was performed, which revealed an obstructive pattern in the presence of a left duplicate system.     

Carotid artery involvement in patients of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: Patients with concomitant critical carotid and coronary artery disease are at risk of major neurological events while undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The presence of carotid artery stenosis increases the stroke rate in the perioperative period. In an effort to reduce the stroke rate, many institutions perform routine preoperative noninvasive assessment of the carotid arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of 1,200 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in the last 2 years. Carotid Doppler was normal in 186 patients (15.5%), and showed <30% stenosis in 796 (66.3%), 30%-50% in 110 (9.2%), 50%-70% stenosis in 64 (5.3%) and critical (>70%) stenosis in 44 (3.7%) patients. Conventional risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, smoking and family history were not independent predictors of carotid artery stenosis. However, diabetes as a risk factor had a significant association with carotid artery disease (79.6% v. 43.8%, p<0.02). There was a trend towards increased prevalence of carotid artery stenosis in patients with > or = 2 risk factors (84.3% v. 68.8%). Patients with significant carotid artery stenosis had severe coronary artery disease (triple-vessel disease 93.3%, left main coronary artery disease 12.0%). Out of 44 patients with critical carotid artery stenosis, 27 were subjected to carotid angiography. Doppler findings correlated well with angiography. Seventeen patients underwent carotid artery intervention. None had any perioperative neurological events. A total of 5 (0.4%) patients had a major stroke. Coronary artery bypass grafting was done in 27 patients with critical stenosis without any intervention. The stroke rate (11.1%) was higher in these patients compared to patients with < 70% carotid artery disease or post-carotid intervention (2.5%) patients. Thus, untreated >70% carotid artery stenosis was associated with a higher stroke rate. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler screening of the carotid artery is helpful in detecting the subgroup of patients at increased risk of stroke. Patients with critical carotid artery stenosis should be subjected to angiography. Prophylactic intervention may reduce the occurrence of stroke in the perioperative period.     

A hyperdense artery sign and middle cerebral artery dissection

We describe a rare case of spontaneous middle cerebral artery (MCA) dissection that caused cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which also presented with a hyperdense artery sign. A hyperdense artery sign of the MCA in acute cerebral infarction strongly indicates thromboembolic MCA occlusion, which is often treated with thrombolytic therapy. However, thrombolytic therapy for intracranial artery dissections has both risks and benefits, due to the association of artery dissections with SAH. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that an MCA dissection can also cause cerebral infarction with a hyperdense artery sign, particularly in young patients presenting with headache.     

Tracheo-innominate artery fistula in children with high-lying innominate artery

Tracheo-innominate artery fistula (TIF) is an uncommon but frequently fatal complication of tracheostomy. Significant airway hemorrhage usually occurs after premonitory bleeding. When massive bleeding occurs, immediate control of arterial bleeding, control of the airway and subsequent definite treatment are the principles for saving lives. Without prompt surgical intervention, the outcome of this complication is grave. Physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion of TIF in any patient with a recent tracheostomy and subsequent tracheal hemorrhage.     

Sequential radial artery grafting three-vessel coronary artery disease

Our objective was to compare the results of revascularization by sequential radial artery (RA) grafting with a left anterior descending left internal mammary artery (LIMA)-RA t-composite grafting technique. Patients were grouped as those with proximal anastomoses performed on the ascending aorta (Group A; n = 38), and those with proximal anastomoses performed on the LIMA as t-grafts (Group T; n = 13). Neither of the two groups revealed any mortality. The average number of grafts was lower in Group T (2.23 +/- 0.43 in group T and 2.85 +/- 0.69 in group A, p < 0.05). The results of the control coronary artery angiographies were superior in Group A. The patency rate of the RA grafts was 96.8% in Group A. Of the 20 distal anastomoses performed with RA grafts in 8 patients from Group T, nine (45%) were found to be patent. The patency rates of RA grafts with sequential distal anastomoses were found to be better when the proximal anastomosis was performed on the ascending aorta rather than on the LIMA. In conclusion, sequential distal anastomosis of RA grafts seem to be safe and effective when proximal anastomoses are performed on the ascending aorta.     

Coronary artery bypass with bovine internal mammary artery graft

Ten of 1,025 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery received one or two bovine internal mammary artery grafts. Surgery consisted in quadruple coronary bypass in 1 case, triple coronary bypass in 3 cases and double coronary bypass in 6 cases using 4 autologous saphenous vein grafts, 6 autologous internal mammary artery grafts and 13 bovine internal mammary artery grafts. It was necessary to use bovine internal mammary artery grafts because of total bilateral venous stripping in 5 patients, diffuse, bilateral varicose veins in 4 patients and because of the insufficient length of the vein in 1 patient. Short and medium-term (12 months) angiographic studies of the bovine grafts showed 5 occluded grafts, 2 proximal graft stenoses, and 1 patient graft up to the time of his death of extracardiac causes, with a maximum follow-up of 13 months. One of these 10 patients died in the early postoperative period of extracardiac causes with a patent bovine coronary graft. Another patient died in the 5th postoperative month during reoperation motivated by occlusion of the two implanted bovine coronary grafts. The other 8 patients are alive and stable from the coronary view point. Bovine internal mammary artery grafts may be used to manage an acute episode of coronary insufficiency by providing the time for the collateral circulation to develop but it does not provide a complete and durable method of revascularisation. Their use should therefore be reserved for exceptional cases.     

Coronary artery surgery: conventional coronary artery bypass grafting versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Coronary revascularization has become the principal treatment modality in patients with severe coronary artery disease. The broader application of percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with multivessel disease and the recent introduction of drug-eluting stents have both lead to a decline in the number of patients referred for surgical revascularization. Conventional coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass is an excellent treatment, however less invasive surgical approaches such as off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting have appeared in the past few years. The exact role of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is still vaguely defined and being critically evaluated. Our aim is to provide an objective review of the recent literature in regard to surgical outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: A critical review of all relevant clinical series from May 2003 to May 2005 was conducted. Current prospective data suggests that both techniques have similar rates of mortality, in regard to morbidity, multiple prospective studies suggest a decrease in stroke rates for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction does not appear to differ between techniques. When analyzed carefully, the results presented herein seem to indicate that both techniques provide similar rates for long-term patency and freedom from surgical reintervention. SUMMARY: Coronary artery bypass grafting and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting are both safe and beneficial in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. It appears that elderly patients with additional co-morbid risk factors may benefit most from off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. It has become increasingly apparent that off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed safely in reference centers.     

Single coronary artery anomaly: right coronary artery originating from the mid left anterior descending artery

We present three cases of a single coronary artery that is the anomalous RCA originating from the mid LAD artery. These cases are rare. We discuss how to make accurate diagnosis and select appropriate treatment.     

Coronary artery steal via large coronary artery to bronchial artery anastomosis successfully treated by operation.

We report a patient with a large coronary artery to bronchial artery anastomosis causing angina by coronary steal. Angina was refractory to medical treatment, but successfully relieved by surgical ligation of the anastomosis.     

Coronary artery to bronchial artery anastomosis in Takayasu's arteritis

A 27-year-old woman presented with ischemia of the left arm and dizziness together with acute lateral wall myocardial ischemia. Physical examination showed narrowing of the arteries to the head and neck and upper limbs suggesting Takayasu's arteritis. Angiography demonstrated pulmonary and systemic involvement. There was complete occlusion of the right upper lobe pulmonary artery and a large collateral artery from the circumflex coronary artery which anastomosed with the right bronchial artery. This anastomotic channel has not to our knowledge been described Takayasu's arteritis.     

Ulnar artery catheterization with occlusion of corresponding radial artery.

The transradial approach to coronary angiography has become a popular technique. Because of potential advantages, the transulnar approach has also recently been described. We report a successful case of transulnar catheterization with documented occlusion of the radial artery and normal inverse Allen test in a patient with limited vascular access.     

Left main coronary artery compression from right pulmonary artery stenting

Complications related to pulmonary artery stenting include stent migration, jailing of vessels, vessel rupture, and compression of surrounding structures. Compression of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) as a result of stent placement in the right pulmonary artery (RPA) is extremely rare. We present two patients post repair of congenital heart disease who suffered LMCA compression following RPA stenting. The first patient experienced acute coronary insufficiency in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, whereas the second patient had a more chronic course. We also present a third patient who had a CT angiogram that demonstrated a close spatial relationship between the RPA and the LMCA. Based on our previous experiences, we felt that this patient was at significant risk for LMCA compression if the RPA were stented. Coronary compression is rare complication of pulmonary artery stenting but should be considered in cases with history of repaired congenital heart disease. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Coronary artery disease

In the six patients described here the shoulder-hand syndrome proved to be a painful, disabling condition leading in some instances to long standing, and in one case possibly permanent, trophic changes of the hand. Its appearance requires thorough study of the patient and evaluation of the cardiac status. For the present it must be regarded in cases like ours as a non-traumatic, non-cardiac, idiopathic disorder acting through a disturbed neurovascular mechanism. If the differentiation of this clinical picture serves only to avoid unsuitable therapy and to provide a better insight into the prognosis, its recognition as a special entity is justified.     

Ostial renal artery stent placement for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease

To test the utility of endoprosthetic treatment for ostial renal artery stenosis, and to examine blood pressure and its treatment, serum creatinine, and restenosis rate, 44 ostial renal stent placements were performed in 30 patients with concomitant coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, and the indication for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) therapy. There was a marked decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (163 ± 30 to 145 ± 17 and 93 ± 18 to 83 ± 10 mm Hg; P < 0.008) with a decrease in number of medication (3.2 ± 0.9 to 2.8 ± 1.0; P = 0.005). In 5 out of 8 patients not receiving an ACE inhibitor, this drug could be added. Serum creatinine changed from 1.46 ± 0.7 mg/dl to 1.39 ± 0.58 mg/dl (P = ns). Three patients showed restenosis (12.5%). Ostial stenting lowers blood pressure, decreases antihypertensive drugs and increases medication flexibility. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:1–8, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.