Leaking false aneurysm of right coronary saphenous vein graft: successful treatment by percutaneous coil embolisation

An unusual complication after aortocoronary bypass grafting (CABG) is described in which a false aneurysm of the saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery (RCA) developed and caused profuse intermittent bleeding through the sternotomy wound. The aetiology of this condition is uncertain but it could occur whenever a suture line is present especially in the presence of infection. The diagnosis was made non-invasively by a contrast enhanced computed tomogram and was subsequently confirmed by selective coronary bypass angiography. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully obliterated by coil embolisation of the right coronary graft, which stopped the bleeding immediately and was followed by rapid wound healing.     

Leaking false aneurysm of right coronary saphenous vein graft: successful treatment by percutaneous coil embolisation

An unusual complication after aortocoronary bypass grafting (CABG) is described in which a false aneurysm of the saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery (RCA) developed and caused profuse intermittent bleeding through the sternotomy wound. The aetiology of this condition is uncertain but it could occur whenever a suture line is present especially in the presence of infection. The diagnosis was made non-invasively by a contrast enhanced computed tomogram and was subsequently confirmed by selective coronary bypass angiography. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully obliterated by coil embolisation of the right coronary graft, which stopped the bleeding immediately and was followed by rapid wound healing.     

Progression from stenosis to occlusion in the proximal native coronary artery after coronary artery bypass grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an established treatment for multivessel coronary artery disease. However, problematic situations are occasionally encountered after CABG, such as disease progression in the native coronary artery with graft occlusion, which causes difficulty in revascularization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the native coronary artery after CABG. Between 2009 and 2012 in our institution, 351 patients underwent CABG, and 768 bypass grafts were anastomosed to non-occluded coronary arteries. Of these, 489 bypass grafts had available early postoperative angiographic results (≤6 months) suitable for assessment in this study. We defined malignant graft failure after CABG to be bypass graft occlusion and de novo complete occlusion of the target native coronary artery proximal to the graft anastomosis site. In the early angiographic results, 17 grafts were occluded (17/489; 3.5 %). Two of the grafts displayed malignant graft failure (a saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery and a saphenous vein graft to the diagonal branch) (2 of 17 occluded grafts, and 2 of 489 studied grafts). Of the patent bypass grafts, 24 involved progression to occlusion in the proximal native coronary artery (19 saphenous vein grafts, 4 left internal thoracic artery grafts, and 1 right internal thoracic artery graft). Malignant graft failure was uncommon during short-term follow-up after CABG. At the same time, disease progression in the proximal native coronary artery from stenosis to occlusion following patent bypass grafting was relatively common, especially for vein grafts.     

Successful percutaneous stenting of a right gastroepiploic coronary bypass graft using monorail delivery system: a case report.

The right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) is being successfully used as an arterial conduit in a selected group of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. However, myocardial ischemia may result due to spasm, occlusion, and stenosis of this graft. The anastamosis site at distal right coronary artery (RCA) or posterior descending artery (PDA) is the most common location for stenosis of an in situ gastroepiploic coronary bypass graft. Balloon angioplasty of such stenoses has been reported with optimal short-term results. Stent deployment would decrease the restenosis rate, so that repeat procedures could be minimized for these technically challenging lesions. We describe a case of successful deployment of a stent with monorail delivery system at the anastamotic site stenosis of an in situ gastroepiploic right coronary artery bypass graft. This percutaneous coronary intervention could prevent redo coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 49:197-199, 2000.     

Coronary and bypass graft angiography via the right radial approach using a single catheter

Transradial cardiac catheterization in patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery can be technically challenging. The presence of a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft was previously considered a relative contraindication for a right radial procedure, but there are several reports demonstrating the feasibility and safety of LIMA angiography from a right radial access. This case report demonstrates that transradial coronary and bypass graft angiography including LIMA angiography from the right radial approach is technically feasible with a single catheter. Catheter options for LIMA angiography from right radial access will also be discussed.     

Minimally invasive parasternal approach to tricuspid valve avoids repeat sternotomy

We report the case of a 68-year-old patient with severe tricuspid regurgitation who had previously undergone aortic valve replacement and right coronary artery bypass. We performed tricuspid valvuloplasty via the right parasternal route in order to reduce surgical trauma by avoiding resternotomy, trauma to the venous graft, and bleeding due to dissection of old adhesions. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged home on the 7th postoperative day.     

Dysfunction of aortocoronary bypass. Prognosis]

From 1978 to 1988, 108 patients with at least one occluded or stenosed aorto-coronary bypass graft (over 75% stenosis) underwent coronary angiography on average 31 months after the initial coronary bypass surgery. The occluded or stenosed coronary graft was either a saphenous vein (n = 126 including 9 sequentials) or internal mammary artery (n = 5). The bypassed artery was the left anterior descending (n = 66), right coronary (n = 40), left marginal (n = 25) or diagonal (n = 9). The number of occluded or stenosed grafts by patient was 1.2. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 55% (range 25 to 77%). During a mean follow-up period of 60 months after coronary angiography, there were 14 cardiac deaths and 15 non-lethal myocardial infarctions. Treatment comprised 12 angioplasties, 26 new bypass grafts and 3 cardiac transplantations. The 8 year actuarial survival was 84%. The survival without infarction at 8 years was 69%. Survival was significantly decreased to 72% when the occluded or stenosed graft was located on the left anterior descending artery. The survival without infarction at 8 years was 52% in the patients with dysfunction of left anterior descending artery grafts and 89% when the diseased graft was located on another artery (right coronary, left marginal, diagonal). Therefore, the data of this retrospective study show that coronary graft dysfunction on the right coronary, left marginal or diagonal arteries do not greatly influence life expectancy in the medium term after coronary bypass surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Off-pump bypass surgery: the early experience, 1969-1985

This is a review of 733 patients who underwent off-pump bypass surgery of the right coronary artery and left anterior descending coronary artery between 1969 and 1985. Two hundred sixty-four patients underwent single bypass of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and 79 patients underwent single bypass of the right coronary artery. Both the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries were bypassed in 390 patients. In contrast to the present-day use of mechanical devices to stabilize the target vessel, a 4-suture surgical technique was used for this purpose. This technique, which we illustrate, proved less cumbersome and made the graft anastomosis easy to perform. Our early experience (1969 through 1972) in operating on 199 patients resulted in an operative mortality rate of 4.5% (9/199). From 1973 through 1985, improved patient selection and use of the left internal thoracic artery as the conduit of choice for bypass of the left anterior descending coronary artery reduced the operative mortality rate for 534 patients to 1.3% (7/534). Routine postoperative angiograms were not performed; therefore, the graft patency rate is not available. However, an ongoing 34-year follow-up study of the 264 patients who underwent a single left anterior descending bypass showed the saphenous vein graft to be open in 64.3% (18/28) patients and the left internal thoracic graft in 92.2% (59/64) of patients studied. Seventy-four of the 264 patients in this study were still alive in 2003.     

Fibrin adhesive: clinical application in coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Fibrin adhesive was used 72 times in a group of 67 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The indications were prophylactic sealing of potential sources of bleeding, topical hemostasis (control of bleeding sites dangerous or difficult to suture), and fixation of the graft in the optimal position. The method of glue application under varying circumstances is described and the results are reported. This experience suggests that in some cases the glue expedites the operation and makes it safer. We conclude that the fibrin sealing represents a valid aid in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.     

Cardiac tamponade following coronary arterial rupture during coronary angioplasty

We describe a patient in whom percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was complicated by rupture of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with pericardial tamponade. The outcome was favorable with drastic intervention which included: occlusion of the bleeding vessel with the PTCA balloon, pericardiocentesis, and ligation of the vessel without the need of aortocoronary bypass graft.     

A large coronary artery saphenous vein bypass graft aneurysm with a fistula: case report and review of the literature.

We describe a patient who developed a large aneurysm of saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery with a fistulous communication to the right atrium. The presence of a fistulous communication of a saphenous vein graft aneurysm after coronary bypass surgery to one of the heart chambers is extremely rare. The diagnosis was made by coronary angiography and confirmed by CT and MRI. At surgery the aneurysm was ligated and excised. The fistula to the right atrium was closed. Repeat coronary artery bypass surgery with aortic valve replacement was performed at the same time without complications. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:214-216, 1999.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention of a saphenous vein graft ostial stenosis in a patient with Bentall procedure

Composite graft replacement of the aortic root and coronary reimplantation with or without coronary artery bypass surgery is the standard treatment for a variety of aortic root pathologies. Previously, percutaneous coronary intervention of either reimplanted coronary arteries or left/right coronary artery through cabrol graft has been described in post-Bentall patients. We describe percutaneous coronary intervention of a saphenous vein graft ostial stenosis in a patient with previous Bentall procedure and a vein graft to right coronary artery, which was complex and challenging.     

Infected saphenous vein coronary artery bypass graft with mycotic aneurysm. Fatal dehiscence of the proximal anastomosis.

A 33-year-old man underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery for relief of angina pectoris. His postoperative course was complicated by hemorrhage and mediastinitis. Death, which occurred after severe hemorrhage from the operative site, was shown at autopsy to be caused by dehiscence of the proximal anastomosis of the right coronary artery graft. The same graft also had a mycotic aneurysm in its midportion. Graft disruption thus appears to be a potential complication of mediastinal infection in patients with saphenous vein bypass grafts.     

Right hemothorax from leaking aortocoronary vein graft giant aneurysm

Aneurysm of the saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass graft is a rare but potentially fatal complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We report a case of an aneurysm of the saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass graft presented 7 years after redo CABG, with features of right atrial compression and right hemothorax. The patient was successfully treated surgically.     

Decreased right ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting

Decreased right ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting is a common and well-known (if not well-understood) phenomenon.We prospectively evaluated right ventricular function via echocardiographic tricuspid annular motion, tricuspid annular velocity, and right ventricular strain analysis before and after coronary artery bypass grafting. We also evaluated the effect of right coronary artery disease and revascularization on post-coronary artery bypass grafting, right ventricular function, and interventricular septal motion.We performed baseline echocardiography in 250 candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting, and we repeated echocardiography in 240 of those patients 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting. We evaluated right ventricular function via tricuspid annular motion, tricuspid annular velocity, and right ventricular strain analysis, all measured at the right ventricular free wall.Right ventricular function as evaluated by tricuspid annular motion showed a significant reduction 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting (21.7 vs 12.1 mm; P < 0.001) compared with preoperative measurements. Right ventricular tissue velocity (14.0 vs 7.0 cm/s; P < 0.001) and right ventricular strain (20.3% vs 11.6%; P < 0.001) were also significantly reduced after coronary artery bypass grafting. Interventricular septal motion was paradoxical in 97% of the patients 1 year after coronary bypass.Right ventricular function remained depressed for as long as 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting. These findings were independent of the state of the right coronary artery and the graft. It is likely that the interventricular septum is recruited to maintain right ventricular stroke volume after coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Possible contribution of pericardial tamponade to coronary artery bypass graft occlusion

We report an association between pericardial tamponade and early post-surgical occlusion of a coronary bypass graft. The presented patient developed pericarditis following myocardial infarction and bypass surgery. He was readmitted with myocardial reinfarction and cardiogenic shock 1 week after surgery. Coronary angiography revealed occlusion of a saphenous-vein graft to the right coronary artery. Concomitantly, pericardial tamponade was diagnosed on the basis of typical hemodynamics and echocardiographic findings. The patient recovered following pericardiocentesis and coronary angioplasty. We suggest a possible link between the 2 pathologies, whereby post-surgical pericarditis led to tamponade which decreased cardiac preload and resulted in systemic hypotension. Decreased coronary perfusion pressure and extrinsic compression by fluid in the pericardial space may have contributed to graft occlusion. Pericarditis and pericardial tamponade may therefore be risk factors for coronary bypass graft occlusion.     

Methylergonovine-induced spasm of saphenous vein coronary bypass graft

A case of repeated methylergonovine-induced spasm of a saphenous vein bypass graft in a 56-year-old man is presented. Prior to the operation, spasm was induced by methylergonovine in the stenosed right coronary artery. Six months after the operation, coronary angiographic studies showed induced spasm of the right coronary graft but no spasm in native vessels nor in the other graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery.     

Pedicled right internal mammary artery for reoperative off-pump revascularization of left anterior descending coronary artery

In situ right internal mammary artery is the graft of choice in reoperative off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, as well as in primary on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, unless the vessel has been used previously. However, there are not enough data about postoperative angiographic findings of the in situ right internal mammary artery in reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting with the off-pump technique. From September 1993 through January 2004, we reviewed the postoperative course and the graft patency of 12 selected patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting reoperation only for revascularization of the left anterior descending artery, by means of a pedicled right internal mammary artery graft. All patients were evaluated clinically and by postoperative coronary angiography. There were no early or late deaths during the mean follow-up period of 33.08 +/- 30.05 months (range, 1-77 months). The mean interval from the 1st operation to the 2nd operation was 74.1 +/- 57.01 months (range, 4.5-171 months). Postoperative coronary angiograms of all patients showed a 100% patency rate for both in situ grafts and composite grafts. We suggest that use of the in situ right internal mammary artery in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is a safe and reliable option for revascularizing the left anterior descending artery, especially in reoperation.     

Implications of preoperative administration of aspirin in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study on Antiplatelet Therapy

The perioperative consequences of preoperative aspirin administration were assessed in a large prospective cooperative study of 772 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The 772 patients were randomized to receive either aspirin (325 mg once a day), aspirin (325 mg three times a day), aspirin plus dipyridamole (325 and 75 mg together three times a day) (aspirin group), sulfinpyrazone (267 mg three times a day) or placebo (nonaspirin group). The therapy, except in the aspirin group, was started 48 h before the operation. In all aspirin subgroups, one 325 mg aspirin dose was given 12 h before surgery and maintained thereafter according to the assigned regimen. Patients in the aspirin group had significantly more postoperative bleeding and received more packed blood cells and blood products than did patients in the nonaspirin group. Although total operative duration and cardiopulmonary bypass duration were not different, the interval between completion of cardiopulmonary bypass and wound closure was significantly longer (p = 0.035) in the aspirin group. Thirty-one (6.6%) of 471 patients in the aspirin group and 5 (1.7%) of 301 patients in the nonaspirin group also required reoperation for control of postoperative bleeding (p = 0.002). The site of bleeding found at reoperation was not different between the two groups. There was no difference in operative mortality rates, incidence of other bleeding complications or occurrence of other post-operative complications between the two groups. Thus, antiplatelet regimens involving preoperative initiation of aspirin therapy, which has been shown to improve graft patency, increase the risk of abnormal postoperative bleeding and the need for reoperation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Combined endovascular and surgical treatment of infected carotid-carotid bypass graft.

PURPOSE: To present a complex case involving an infected carotid-carotid bypass graft that was successfully treated with a stent-graft and subsequent surgical removal of the infected graft. CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old woman presented with persistent purulent drainage of an infected and exposed carotid-carotid prosthetic bypass graft. Wound cultures revealed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. She was treated with appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy without improvement in wound drainage. Because of her comorbid conditions, a decision was made to pursue endovascular revascularization of her left and right common carotid arteries (CCA), with subsequent surgical removal of the infected prosthetic graft. The patient underwent balloon angioplasty; a 7x18-mm Omnilink stent was deployed in the innominate artery and a 7x18-mm Herculink stent in the ostial left CCA. During the same procedure, the carotid-carotid bypass graft was excluded with deployment of an 8x50-mm Viabahn stent-graft in the right CCA. Several days later, the infected and now thrombosed carotid-carotid bypass graft was surgically removed, and an area of adjacent muscle was used to patch the previously excluded connection of the bypass from the right CCA. A saphenous vein patch was used to repair the defect in the left CCA. Her postoperative course was uneventful. At 1 year, the clinical and duplex examinations revealed satisfactory wound healing and patent left and right CCAs. CONCLUSION: This case indicates that a combined endovascular and surgical approach may be a safe and effective option in the treatment of carotid-carotid bypass graft infection.