The evolution of carotid and coronary artery disease after operation for carotid stenosis

We followed 278 consecutive patients undergoing carotid artery surgery between January 1985 and December 1989 using a computerized surveillance program file with automatic carotid and coronary artery follow-up investigations every six months. Combined postoperative neurologic mortality and morbidity was 1.7%. During the mean follow-up period of 30 months, 10 patients died, four due to myocardial infarction. Actuarial rates of survival and freedom from cerebral vascular accidents at 36 months were 94% and 95.8%, respectively. No fatalities due to cerebral vascular accidents occurred during follow-up. Eleven patients had myocardial infarction, an actuarial rate of 6% at 36 months: 18 patients experienced angina pectoris, while seven sustaned silent electrical myocardial ischemia. Findings on myocardial angioscintiscans and coronary artery arteriograms led to four aortocoronary bypasses and seven percutaneous coronary artery dilatations. Duplex scanning documented three asymptomatic carotid restenoses of 80%, which were operated upon, and 32 contralateral carotid artery stenoses ranging between 80% and 99%, 24 of which were asymptomatic. Twenty-eight patients underwent secondary contralateral carotid artery revascularization. No one with contralateral carotid artery stenosis < 80% experienced a carotid artery ischemic event. These results clearly show the value of cardiac and neurologic surveillance of patients operated on for carotid artery stenosis.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 18–19, 1990, Nancy, France.     

Head and Neck Magnetic Resonance Angiography Before Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Purpose To evaluate the incidence of vascular lesions in the head and neck by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and investigate the factors correlated with severe stenosis.Methods Elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in 413 patients at our center between May 1997 and April 2001. We used MRA to detect head and neck vascular lesions, then evaluated the occlusive lesions and determined their prevalence.Results Neck MRA was performed in 335 patients and head MRA was performed in 335 patients. We found 60% stenosis or total occlusion of the extracranial carotid and vertebral artery in 43 patients (12.8%) and 60% stenosis or occlusion of the intracranial carotid and basilar artery, or stenosis accompanied by poor peripheral perfusion or occlusion of the cerebral arteries in 45 patients (13.4%). Occlusive lesions of the neck were significantly correlated with mean age, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and old myocardial infarction. Occlusive lesions of the brain were significantly correlated with age, hypertension, PVD, and left main trunk disease.Conclusions We found an equal incidence of intracranial and extracranial vascular lesions. Thus, searching for intracranial lesions is just as important as searching for extracranial lesions before CABG.     

Exercise and carotid atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Both carotid atherosclerosis or increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) are common manifestations of generalized atherosclerosis, closely associated with increased risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. Despite the predominant involvement of physical activity in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation strategies, its role in carotid atherosclerosis progression is less evaluated. The aim of our study was to review the literature for the contribution of increased physical activity or structured exercise to the prevention and treatment of carotid atherosclerosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: A systematic review was performed of all cross-sectional, interventional, prospective or retrospective, clinical studies. Using the following terms: carotid atherosclerosis, intima-media thickness, physical activity, exercise, life-style, stroke, cardiovascular risk factors, we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from 1985 to 2007. Carotids ultrasonography and relevant quantitative indexes were prerequisites for our search. RESULTS: The majority of cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that physical inactivity is associated with increased carotid IMT, while structured lifestyle interventions have conferred inconsistent results on the progression of carotid thickening. The increment of cardiorespiratory fitness and the modification of numerous cardiovascular risk factors, such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and obesity provide plausible mechanisms by which exercise training may suppress the evolution of carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: It remains questionable whether long-term exercise can decelerate the development of carotid atherosclerosis. Perhaps increased physical activity suppresses the overall cardiovascular risk and hence curtails the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. If carotid artery disease is regarded as a coronary artery disease equivalent, it is reasonable to recommend similar patterns of physical activity in patients with subclinical or manifest carotid atherosclerosis as for those with coronary atherosclerosis.     

Coronary Artery Spasm

Coronary artery spasm is a transient reduction in lumen diameter of an epicardial coronary artery of sufficient degree to produce objective evidence of myocardial ischemia in the absence of any significant increase in heart rate or blood pressure. In this article are summarized pathophysiological observations, the coronary angiographic anatomy of patients with coronary spasm, etiologic considerations, methods to provoke coronary artery artery spasm and their clinical usefulness, the role of coronary artery spasm in patients with clinical angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, and finally, the role of coronary artery spasm in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery.     

A review of coronary artery bypass grafting distal to the total obstruction

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) distal to the total obstruction has been carried out in 10 patients during 17 month period. There were neither operative deaths nor perioperative myocardial infarction. All patients were free from angina pectoris postoperatively. There were 13 completely obstructed coronary arteries. CABG was successfully placed on 9/9 (100%) of the distal artery filled with collaterals including thread-like caliber, but 0/4 (0%) without opacification suggesting no collaterals. The graftability to the left anterior descending branch was 6/6 (100%), to the circumflex system was 3/5 (60%), and to the right coronary system was 0/2 (0%). Postoperative regional ejection fraction and cardiac index improved significantly. In conclusion, CABG distal to the total obstruction should be performed in case of the distal lumen opacified by collaterals. Especially CABG to the left anterior descending artery might be worth-while.     

非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术加颈动脉内膜剥脱术治疗冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄

目的总结非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术（OPCAB）加颈动脉内膜剥脱术（CEA）治疗冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄的临床经验,探讨治疗方法和效果。方法回顾性分析2003年1月至2009年12月期间南京医科大学附属南京第一医院121例冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄患者同期行OPCAB和CEA治疗的临床资料,其中男81例,女40例;年龄62~72岁（67.2±4.5岁）。均为3支冠状动脉病变,左主干病变3例。单侧颈动脉狭窄（≥50%）95例,双侧狭窄（≥50%）26例。术后观察围手术期脑卒中、心肌梗死、心绞痛及其他并发症的发生情况,并进行随访。结果所有患者均行单侧CEA,其中左侧71例,右侧50例,颈动脉阻断时间20.5±7.0 min。在OPCAB中,每例远端吻合口数为2.9±0.3个。围术期无死亡,无心绞痛、心肌梗死和脑卒中发生,手术前后自觉神经精神症状好转87例,无明显变化32例,加重2例。随访121例,随访率100%,随访时间67.5±12.5个月。患者生活质量良好,无脑卒中、新发生的心肌梗死和新发生的神经精神症状。结论同期行OPCAB和CEA治疗冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄是较好的治疗方法,能显著减少OPCAB术后脑卒中的发生,而远期疗效尚待积累手术经验、远期随访观察,并进一步的研究阐明。     

Perioperative morbidity and mortality in combined vs. staged approaches to carotid and coronary revascularization

Between 1986 and 1994 we identified 57 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during the same hospitalization. Simultaneous CABG and CEA was performed in 28 patients (mean age 70.5 years, 58% male). Indications for CABG in these patients were myocardial infarction in two, crescendo angina in 19, congestive heart failure in two and left main or triple-vessel coronary artery disease noted during carotid preoperative evaluation in five. Indications for CEA were transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 12, crescendo TIA in six, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in five, and asymptomatic stenosis in five. There were no postoperative myocardial infarctions or perioperative deaths. Two patients developed atrial fibrillation, and four patients had CVAs (two were ipsilateral to the side of CEA). Twenty-nine patients underwent staged procedures (i.e., not performed concomitantly but during the same hospitalization). Indications for CABG and CEA were comparable to those in the group undergoing simultaneous procedures. In 17 patients CEA was performed before CABG. There was a single CVA, the result of an intracerebral hemorrhage. Five of the 17 patients had a myocardial infarction and two died; one patient had first-degree heart block requiring a pacemaker. Four additional patients developed atrial fibrillation, one of whom required cardioversion. The remaining 12 patients had CABG followed by CEA. There were no CVAs, myocardial infarctions, arrhythmias, or deaths in this subgroup. These data demonstrate that the performance of simultaneous CABG and CEA procedures is associated with increased neurologic morbidity (14.3%), both ipsilateral and contralateral to the side of carotid surgery in contrast to staged CABG and CEA (3.4%). In addition, when staged carotid surgery preceded coronary revascularization in those with severe coronary artery disease, the combined cardiac complication and mortality rate was significantly higher than when coronary revascularization preceded CEA. This evidence suggests that when CABG and CEA must be performed during the same hospitalization, the procedures should be staged with CABG preceding CEA. Presented at the Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, New Orleans, La., June 10, 1995.     

Immediate and long-term results of coronary artery bypass operation in hemodialysis patients

This study evaluated the early and late results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients on long-term maintenance hemodialysis (chronic HD) at Teikyo University Ichihara Hospital between January 1996 and June 2000. Thirty-six patients on chronic HD underwent CABG. There were 26 males (72%) and 10 females (28%) ranging from 41 to 81 years (mean +/- SD, 61.8 +/- 9.2 years) of age. Twenty-one patients (58%) had unstable angina, 14 (39%) stable angina, and 1 acute myocardial infarction. Eleven patients (31%) had urgent or emergency CABG. The average graft number was 2.5 +/- 0.8 (arterial graft 1.3 +/- 0.7/patient). Six patients had concomitant cardiac operations. Three patients underwent re- or a second re-CABG. Five patients underwent off-pump CABG. Principally, HD was performed during cardiopulmonary bypass and was followed by continuous hemodiafiltration in the early postoperative period. The early mortality was 11%; 25% in emergency and urgent CABG and 4% in elective CABG. In the follow-up period between 1 and 53 months (mean +/- SD 21.9 +/- 15.1 months), 4 patients died, and 9 patients developed recurrence of angina pectoris (6, occlusion of saphenous vein graft and 3, native coronary progression). Six patients had coronary intervention. The postoperative angiogram showed that all arterial grafts were patent, but the patency of the vein grafts was only 61.5%. The early results of CABG in patients on chronic HD was satisfactory. The late recurrence of angina pectoris mostly was caused by occlusion of the saphenous vein graft. In conclusion, the aggressive use of arterial grafts is crucial in CABG for patients on chronic HD.     

Reoperation for coronary artery disease in the young: early and mid-term results

Background As the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) at young age is high in Asian countries, the number of coronary reoperations in this group of patients is increasing. The aim of this study was to define the incidence, risk factors and to discuss the methods of re-revascularization and early to mid-term outcomes in these patients. Methods This study is a retrospective analysis of the data of patients who underwent primary coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) before the age of 45 years and underwent reoperation for recurrence of angina due to progression of native coronary artery disease and, or, graft occlusion. The data was also analyzed with regards to the risk factors contributing to the recurrence of the disease and the short to mid-term outcomes. During a six year period from January 1998 to October 2004, a total of 68 patients had reoperation for recurrence of angina. The mean interval of presentation following primary CABG was 12.48±3.11 years (ranged from 8 months to 16 years). Reoperation was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in 63 patients and in the remaining five patients on beating heart without using CPB. Results Reoperation accounted for 4.6% of 2478 patients who underwent CABG between January 1998 through October 2004 at our institute. Among these 114 patients, 68 patients underwent primary CABG before the age of 45 years. These 68 patients received a total of 214 grafts (3.14 grafts per patient) of which 169 grafts were re-anastamosed to previously grafted target arteries. Left internal mammary artery was used in 61 patients (89.7%) who required graft to left anterior descending coronary artery at reoperation. The early mortality was 4.4% (3 out of 68). Two patients (2.94%) had perioperative myocardial infarction and two more patients were re-explored for mediastinal bleeding. Freedom from recurrence of symptom of angina at 2 and 4 years was 98.01%, 94.5% respectively. Conclusions Redo CABG is associated with higher morbidity and mortality when compared to first-time CABG. Perioperative myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction contribute significantly to the increased risk of redo CABG.     

Single-staged operation for the patients with concomitant diseases of coronary and carotid arteries

The authors describe four cases with concomitant coronary and carotid severe stenosis operated by combined procedure. As the cerebral revascularization, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was performed for three patients, while carotid artery bypass grafting was performed for the other one. In one patient with bilateral carotid stenosis, percutaneous transluminal stenting of the right internal carotid artery was performed one day before combined left CEA and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Both perioperative myocardial infarction and neurological complication could be avoided in each case. When a CABG candidate also has significant extracranial carotid stenosis with clinical symptoms, combined cerebral revascularization and CABG is desirable.     

Unstable Coronary Artery Disease: Comparison of Medical and Surgical Treatment

In eighty-eight patients with arteriographic findings of obstructive coronary artery disease and the clinical picture of unstable angina pectoris, a decision on operative or nonoperative management was made by the attending physician. Fifty-three of them subsequently underwent aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass grafting and 35 were continued on a program of medical therapy. A marked difference in the course after the first 30 days was noted, with most of the surgically managed patients being either asymptomatic or greatly improved following coronary artery bypass. Two-thirds of the medically treated patients had persistent severe angina pectoris and none was asymptomatic in a follow-up period averaging 20 months. There were 2 late deaths in the medical group and none in the surgical group.These findings indicate that coronary artery bypass operations can be performed with low risk during the unstable phase of coronary artery disease and that relief of angina can be anticipated. In contrast, nonoperative management of unstable coronary artery disease carries an appreciable risk of death or myocardial infarction, and the majority of patients treated nonoperatively continue to experience angina.     

冠状动脉旁路移植术患者术后早期运动耐量改善的影响因素

目的　探讨冠状动脉旁路移植术 (CABG)患者术后早期运动耐量改善的影响因素 ,以提高手术疗效。方法　随机选择 30例行 CABG患者 ,术前和术后 1～ 3个月进行平板运动试验 (TET) ,以手术前后运动功量的差值为应变量 ,各项临床指标与手术情况为自变量 ,进行 L ogistic多元回归分析。　结果　无手术死亡。术后运动功量等运动耐量指标及心肌缺血指标有明显改善 (P<0 .0 0 1) ,术前左心功能、心肌梗死史、心绞痛、高血压和乳内动脉 (IMA)移植是影响手术疗效的主要因素。　结论　 CABG能显著提高运动耐量 ,改善心肌缺血 ,了解并重视这些影响因素将有助于更好地选择手术病例 ,预测手术疗效。     

体外与非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术698例

目的总结体外与非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术治疗冠心病患者的临床经验,以提高相关手术技术水平及治疗效果。方法2000年1月至2009年3月我科对698例冠心病患者行冠状动脉旁路移植术,其中男551例,女147例;年龄28.0～79.0岁,平均年龄67.2岁。典型心绞痛552例,陈旧性心肌梗死131例。心功能分级（NYHA）Ⅱ级301例,Ⅲ级339例,Ⅳ级58例。选择性冠状动脉造影显示：单支血管病变21例,2支病变87例,3支病变590例,合并左主干病变201例。行非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术346例,体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术352例。择期手术687例,急诊手术11例。结果全组共移植血管2025支,每例移植血管1～6支,平均2.9支。术中取左乳内动脉693支,游离右乳内动脉115支,左桡动脉229支,右桡动脉81支;全动脉化126例。呼吸机辅助呼吸时间0～127h,平均11.5h。应用＂快通道＂技术在手术室清醒并拔除气管内插管后回ICU38例。应用主动脉内球囊反搏28例（术前置入1例,术中、术后置入27例）。择期手术死亡25例（3.64%）,死于急性心肌梗死5例,低心排血量综合征3例,鱼精蛋白过敏2例,呼吸衰竭3例,肾功能衰竭2例,多器官功能衰竭10例;急诊手术死亡4例（36.36%）,死于低心排血量综合征3例,急性心肌梗死1例。术后新发心房颤动151例（21.63%）,其中147例（97.35%）给予补充电解质、应用抗心律失常（盐酸胺碘酮）等治疗后转为窦性心律;二次开胸止血术12例;出院时心绞痛消失511例,缓解20例。随访415例（62.03%）,随访时间1个月～8.2年,随访期间死亡3例,死于肺癌1例,交通伤1例,原因不明1例。心绞痛消失317例,复发21例。心功能分级（NYHA）Ⅱ级269例（65.29%）,Ⅲ级142例（34.46%）,Ⅳ级1例（0.24%）。结论结合中国人的病情特点,制定相应的手术方案,合理选择旁路移植血管,可保证和优化外科手术效果;主动脉内球囊反搏可?     

CT angiography of the coronary arteries

There is insufficient knowledge about secondary prevention after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Most of it is gathered from patients suffering from myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, only a minority of whom have undergone CABG. Whereas it seems clear that these patients should give up smoking and reduce low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, there is uncertainty about the optimal antiplatelet regimen and antithrombotic treatment. There are some data indicating the benefit of behaviour modification. There is room for improvement and more knowledge when it comes to secondary prevention after CABG.     

The surgical treatment of unstable angina pectoris.

Since the advent of saphenous vein bypass grafting as successful means of myocardial revascularization, a variety of coronary artery disease syndrome have come under surgical attack. The proper role of surgery in many of these coronary syndromes remains ill-defined. However, clear indications for surgical revascularization exist in patients with unstable angina pectoris, i.e., progressive angina and onset of rest pain and noctural angina in spite of adequate medical therapy. An analysis has been made of 100 consecutive patients with unstable angina pectoris who underwent myocardial revascularization over the past 2 years at the Woodruff Medical Center of Emory University. Included in this group are the following subgroups: 1) Emergency cases with pre-infarction angina (including Printzmetal angina); 2) Cases of combined valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease; and 3) Advanced coronary artery disease with certain complications of previous myocardial infarction. A discussion of the relative merits of saphenous vein grafts and internal mammary artery anastomoses is presented and indicates that the technique selected should be determined by the quality of the distal native coronary circulation. Surgical mortality and morbidity figures, patency rates of saphenous vein grafts and internal mammary artery anastomoses visualized postoperatively, and the number of patients wiht dramatic relief of angina pectoris in this series support current enthusiasms for available surgical techniques for myocardial revascularization.     

Secondary prevention after coronary artery bypass grafting--what do we know?

There is insufficient knowledge about secondary prevention after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Most of it is gathered from patients suffering from myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, only a minority of whom have undergone CABG. Whereas it seems clear that these patients should give up smoking and reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, there is uncertainty about the optimal antiplatelet regimen and antithrombotic treatment. There are some data indicating the benefit of behaviour modification. There is room for improvement and more knowledge when it comes to secondary prevention after CABG.     

Antiarrhythmic Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning in Recent Unstable Angina Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for unstable angina pectoris patients results in a higher incidence of arrhythmia and higher arrhythmic cardiac mortality. Ischemic preconditioning (IP) has proved effective in suppressing ischemia reperfusion arrhythmias in animals and in humans. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether IP protects against postoperative arrhythmias in recent unstable angina patients undergoing urgent CABG. Forty-one patients with recent unstable angina and three-vessel coronary artery disease admitted for CABG were randomized into an IP group and a control group. The IP protocol involved twice occluding the ascending aorta with a cross-clamp for 2 minutes, followed by 3 minutes of reperfusion. Twenty-four-hour continuous electrocardiography (24-h ECG) was recorded from the preoperative day to the 2nd postoperative day. The incidences of supraventricular extrasystole (SVES), ventricular extrasystole (VES), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and ventricular tachycardia (VT) were 95.2%, 85.7%, 26.2%, and 26.2%, respectively, before surgery and 100.0%, 100.0%, 88.1%, and 76.2%, respectively, after surgery. IP significantly reduced the incidence of VT and the severity of SVES, VES, SVT, and VT after surgery. The period of mechanical ventilation and the length of stay in the intensive care unit were significantly shorter in the IP group. In summary, rhythm disturbances are common in CABG patients with recent unstable angina. IP significantly reduces rhythm disturbances, including SVES, VES, SVT, and VT after CABG. The findings indicate that IP could constitute an additional myocardial protective strategy in recently unstable angina patients undergoing CABG.     

Contemporary incidence and risk factors for carotid artery disease in patients referred for coronary artery bypass surgery

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: In the past decade, there has been an increase in the amount of patients with medical co-morbidities referred for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Significant carotid artery disease in patients undergoing CABG procedures increases the risk of neurological complications. We review the results of routine carotid screening in patients undergoing CABG to determine the contemporary incidence and risk factors for carotid artery disease. METHODS: Between 2008 through 2010, 673 patients were referred for isolated coronary artery bypass surgery at a single institution. Patients were identified through a systematic review of The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Society of Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Database. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected demographic, clinical data and outcomes were performed. All patients with screening preoperative carotid duplex were reviewed. We defined the degree of carotid disease as: none to mild stenosis (<50%), moderate stenosis (50-69%), severe stenosis (70-99%). Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors. RESULTS: 559 (83%) patients underwent screening preoperative carotid ultrasonography prior to CABG. The incidence of carotid artery disease (>50% stenosis) was 36% with 18% unilateral moderate disease, 10% bilateral moderate and 8% severe disease. Risk factors associated with carotid artery disease included: advanced age, renal failure, previous stroke, peripheral vascular disease, left main coronary artery disease, and previous myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant incidence of carotid artery stenosis in patients referred for CABG. Routine screening will identify patients with carotid artery disease and may reduce the risk of postoperative stroke.     

Risk of noncardiac operation in patients with defined coronary disease: The Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) registry experience

It has been suggested that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is efficacious in patients with severe coronary artery disease before they undergo a major noncardiac operation. The Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) registry population was reviewed to identify variables affecting operative mortality and cardiovascular morbidity for noncardiac procedures, and to assess the influence of prior CABG on these surgical risks. Major noncardiac operations were performed on 1,600 registry patients between June 30, 1978, and June 30, 1981. Operative mortality for individuals without significant coronary artery disease (Group 1) was 0.5% (2/399) and for patients with such disease having CABG prior to a noncardiac procedure (Group 2), it was 0.9% (7/743) (Group 1 versus Group 2, p = 0.42). Patients with significant coronary artery disease undergoing noncardiac operation without prior CABG (Group 3) had an increased operative mortality, 2.4% (11/458) (p = 0.009). Group 2 patients had more severe angina symptoms (p less than 0.001) and more extensive coronary artery disease (p less than 0.001) on entering CASS than Group 3 patients. Postoperative chest pain occurred in 8.7% (40/458) of the Group 3 patients versus 4.5% (18/399) in Group 1 and 5.1% (38/743) in Group 2 (p = 0.004). No group differences were noted for the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction or arrhythmias.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Simultaneous revascularization for critical coronary and peripheral vascular ischemia

Patients with coronary artery disease can exhibit substantial vascular involvement, and patients with vascular disease have a high incidence of coronary disease. Simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting and treatment of vascular disease was performed in 32 patients with strong indications for surgical treatment of coronary artery disease and critical peripheral vascular ischemia operated on from 1980 until 1990. Overall hospital mortality was 3.1%; 1 patient died of myocardial infarction 2 days after urgent combined revascularization because of unstable angina pectoris and subacute occlusion of the aortoiliac bifurcation. Early mortality was 0% in patients undergoing elective operations. Eight-year actuarial survival was 87.5%. Combined procedures can be performed with acceptable risk and with encouraging long-term results in this special group of patients; they may improve prognosis in patients with diffuse atherosclerosis.