Beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting

Objectives: We have studied the results of 402 consecutive cases of beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and evaluated the usefulness of gastroepiploic artery (GEA) composite grafts. Methods: Between March 1993 and August 2001, 402 patients underwent beating heart CABG. They were 321 male and 81 female patients, aged 17 to 88 (mean 66) years. Beating heart CABG was facilitated by mechanical stabilization with a doughnut stabilizer, a newly designed sternal retractor and a new coronary perfusion system. Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) was performed in 206 patients (the MIDCAB Group), and beating heart CABG with median sternotomy (OPCAB) was performed in 196 patients (the OPCAB Group). Results: Definite off-pump CABG was accomplished in 381 patients. 21 patients (5%) were converted to on-pump beating heart CABG using percutaneous cardiopulmonary system via femoral vessels because of hemodynamic instability. There was 1 operative mortality (0.2%). There was perioperative myocardial infarction in 2 (0.5%), and cerebral infarction in 3 (0.7%). The rate of complete revascularization was 78% in the MIDCAB Group and 97% in the OPCAB Group. The mean number of anastomoses was 1.6 in the MIDCAB Group and 3.3 in the OPCAB Group. The early graft patency was 99.1% in a left internal thoracic artery graft, 97.0% in a right internal thoracic artery graft, 96.5% in GEA, 98.2% in a radial artery graft, and 94.2% in a vein graft. A GEA composite graft was used in 55 of the 168 patients who received GEA grafting. The mean number of anastomoses for the GEA composite graft was 1.6±0.6 per patient. The graft patency rate was 94.6% (53/56) for GEA and 98.6% (72/73) for the radial artery used as a composite graft. Conclusion: A consecutive series of beating heart CABG was performed safely and effectively with a low mortality rate and low morbidity rate. Beating heart CABG could be performed in all patients, and definite off-pump CABG was accomplished in 95% of them. In order to aim for complete revascularization, GEA composite graft was found to be effective since it required a low mean number of 1.6 anastomoses and a satisfactory patency rate at the same time. Read at the Fifty-fourth Annual-Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, Panel discussion, Osaka, October 3–5, 2001.     

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.     

A case of lateral origin of the left internal mammary artery

A 66 years old men, with left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis and aortic valve stenosis, underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to LAD with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and aortic valve replacement. His postoperative course was uneventful. But, postoperative angiogram showed that his patent LIMA graft was originated from much lateral side of the left subclavian artery. Internal mammary artery is considered the most ideal graft for CABG, but its' anomality is not well known. We present this rare case with the anomalous origin of LIMA.     

Use of MIDCAB procedure for redo coronary artery bypass

BACKGROUND: Reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures are growing in importance due to the increasing number of patients requiring another bypass operation. Conventional redo-procedures are associated with an increased mortality and morbidity. To reduce risk, minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) using the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending branch (LAD) may be preferable, when indicated, in selected patients. We report a series of patients who underwent this procedure for redo-CABG in our center. METHODS: Since April 1997, 20 male patients who had undergone prior CABG using conventional procedure, were reoperated using the LIMA to LAD through a lateral minithoracotomy on the beating heart. Nineteen patients presented for a redo-CABG; one patient required a second-time redo-CABG. Two patients required concomitant PTCA of a second vessel as hybrid procedure. We reviewed these redo cases and studied their surgical results for mortality, morbidity, operation time, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Mean operation time was 139 min (90-180). Four patients were extubated directly postoperatively; the others had a short period of ventilatory support. There was no myocardial infarction, no deaths or need of inotropic support postoperatively. No patient required re-exploration for bleeding. All patients could be mobilized and discharged early. At present, all patients are living and classified as CCS class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that MIDCAB using IMA grafts for reoperation is a safe procedure with low risk for morbidity and mortality. This surgical technique is a useful alternative to conventional redo CABG in selected patients when complete revascularisation is not indicated.     

A case report of coronary subclavian steal syndrome in a young woman

A 41-year-old woman presented with complaints of increasing angina pectoris and coldness of her left arm for 1 month. Six months ago, she had undergone triple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) including left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending artery (LAD) and two saphenous vein grafts to the diagonal branch of LAD and obtuse marginal branch of the circumflex artery. Coronary angiography revealed that contrast media injected into the saphenous vein graft coursing down the diagonal branch flowed up to LAD and drained into the LIMA opacifying the left subclavian artery. Arch angiography documented a total occlusion of the left subclavian artery. A polytetrafluoroethylene graft was anastomosed between the left common carotid and axillary artery. After operation, the symptoms disappeared and blood pressure in her left arm recovered. This complication could be prevented by identification of subclavian artery stenosis during coronary angiogram or CABG. This study may suggest that subclavian artery angiography should be performed in patients who will undergo CABG even for a young woman such as our case.     

Modification of repeat lateral minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass; left axillary artery to circumflex artery bypass

A 69-year-old man underwent triple coronary artery bypass graftings [LITA (left internal thoracic artery)-LAD (left anterior descending artery), SVG (saphenous vein graft)-PD (postac-descending artery), SVG-PL (postero-lateral artery)] 11 years previously. Recently, angina pectoris occurred due to the graft disease of SVG-PL. A repeat modified lateral minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) [left axillary artery-PL using SVG] was performed. The left axillary artery was chosen as inflow vessel for coronary artery bypass graft because of the difficult descending aorta and patent LITA-LAD. Postoperative course was uneventful. The left axillary artery to circumflex artery bypass could be one of the option of the lateral MIDCAB.     

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting for third-time coronary artery revascularization.

We performed a minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) on two patients for third-time revascularization. The first patient was a 66-year-old woman who had patent bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts and an occluded radial artery (RA) graft anastomosed to the posterolateral (PL) branch. She underwent her third revascularization for left circumflex coronary artery reconstruction with the MIDCAB technique using the right gastroepiploic artery. The second patient was a 65-year-old man who had occluded saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) on the anterior aspect of the heart, a stenotic left ITA graft to the left anterior descending artery, and a stenotic SVG to the PL branch. He underwent his third revascularization by MIDCAB using a bilateral RA-Y graft. Postoperative angiography of the two cases showed that the new grafts were widely patent.     

Modification of repeat coronary bypass grafting for the left anterior descending artery with a minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass technique

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) for reducing mortality and morbidity associated with repeat coronary artery bypass grafting (re-CABG) has been reported. In re-CABG, graft selection and operative procedures are determined according to the previous mode of CABG. METHODS: We performed three types of operations using MIDCAB techniques for rerevascularization of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) using (1) the in situ left internal thoracic artery, (2) the in situ right gastroepiploic artery, and (3) a reversed saphenous vein graft anastomosed to the left axillary artery. RESULTS: In all cases, the postoperative course was uneventful. None of the patients had any symptom of ischemia postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In re-CABG for rerevascularization of LAD, a modified MIDCAB technique using one of the above three procedures should be considered.     

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.     

The unligated left internal mammary artery side branch as the cause of angina after coronary artery bypass grafting

The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is a widely used conduit during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery because of its excellent long-term patency. Although large LIMA side branches are typically ligated during the surgery, the occurrence of a coronary steal phenomenon related to these side branches following surgery remains controversial. Advocates for occlusion of LIMA side branches in the setting of left anterior descending artery (LAD) ischemia indicate that anginal symptoms often improve and that objective measures of LAD ischemia frequently resolve. We present a patient with ischemia in the LAD distribution secondary to coronary steal from a large LIMA side branch that was successfully treated using the Embolization Coil-IMWCE-3-PDA5 (Cook Medical, Bjaeverskov, Denmark).     

Two cases of reoperative coronary bypass grafting through a small left thoracotomy]

A reoperation by a MIDCAB (minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass) was performed on 2 patients, including one who had undergone a surgical repair of a left ventricular rupture and another who had undergone a coronary artery bypass operation. In both patients, the left internal thoracic artery was isolated by a left small thoracotomy and then was anastomosed to the LAD (left anterior descending artery). One patient showed stenosis at the site of anastomosis and thus required coronary arterioplasty postoperatively, but was discharged without any further complications. When performing a reoperation by MIDCAB, complications such as injuries to the heart and patent graft during surgery and postoperative complications can be minimized by only performing a bypass to LAD. Such a bypass is usually sufficient in cases in which either marked adhesion is expected in the area of the circumflex artery or if anastomosable branches are not available in the area of the circumflex artery. This surgical technique was found to be an effective modality for a reoperation of the coronary artery, if suitable cases are carefully selected.     

Single vessel revascularization with beating heart techniques -- minithoracotomy or sternotomy?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the best surgical approach in off-pump single vessel revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). METHODS: In 256 patients a single left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to LAD bypass was performed with beating heart techniques through a left anterior minithoracotomy (minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), n=129) or a full sternotomy (off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB), n=127). RESULTS: In the OPCAB group, significantly more severe comorbidities (P=0.001) and redo-operations were noted (P<0.001). Conversion to sternotomy or CPB was necessary in five MIDCAB patients and one OPCAB patient. No cerebrovascular accident was seen in both groups. There was no hospital death in MIDCAB- and two deaths in OPCAB procedures (P=ns). There was a significant reduction in time of surgery (P=0.028) and coronary occlusion (P=0.009) in the OPCAB group. No differences in postoperative ventilation time, ICU stay and length of hospital stay were recorded between groups. Wound infections occurred in six MIDCAB patients (4.7%) and one OPCAB patient (0.8%). Early postoperative reoperation due to graft failure was necessary in three patients after MIDCAB and two patients after OPCAB (P=ns). Confirmed by angiography, the early graft patency rate was 96 and 98%, respectively (P=ns). CONCLUSIONS: Both beating heart techniques showed good results with low hospital mortality, low early complications and comparable angiographic results. Nevertheless, MIDCAB is a challenging technique as demonstrated by the longer times of surgery and coronary occlusion with a tendency towards a higher risk of conversion and wound infection. Thus, this technique should only be performed in selected patients with favourable coronary anatomy. Through a sternotomy approach, single vessel revascularization can be performed safely off-pump even in high-risk patients.     

A xiphoid approach for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: The premise for adopting minimally invasive cardiac surgery techniques for myocardial revascularization is to reduce the patient's morbidity without compromising the efficacy of conventional coronary artery bypass. However, opening the pleura has been a limitation of using these approaches. Aim: We used the xiphoid approach as an alternative to opening the pleura and to minimize pain after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: We review our surgical experience in 55 patients who underwent minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery through a xiphoid approach between October 1997 and August 1999. Thoracoscopy (n = 31) or direct vision (n = 24) were used for internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting. Mean patient age was 67 +/- 10 years and 65% were men. The mean Parsonnet score was 23 +/- 10. Performed anastomoses included left IMA (LIMA) to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery (n = 53), LIMA-to-LAD and saphenous vein graft from the LIMA to the right coronary artery (n = 1), and LIMA-to-LAD and right IMA (RIMA) to right coronary artery (n = 1). RESULTS: Postoperative complications included atrial fibrillation (12%), acute noninfectious pericarditis (12%), and acute renal failure (5%). Mean postoperative length of stay was 4 +/- 2 days. Angiography was performed in 16 patients and demonstrated excellent patency of the anastomoses. There was no operative mortality. Actuarial survival was 98% in a mean follow-up period of 11 +/- 5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass can be performed safely through a xiphoid approach with low morbidity, mortality, and a relatively short hospital stay.     

经左胸前外侧小切口冠状动脉旁路移植术

目的 评价经左胸前外侧小切口冠状动脉旁路移植术的临床疗效及远期随访结果.方法 2002年1月至2006年10月,38例单支或多支冠状动脉病变患者经左胸前外侧小切口进胸,直视下或胸腔镜辅助下,完成非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术.其中男性25例.女性13例;年龄38～78岁,平均(63.3±11.1)岁.结果 38例手术均顺利完成.20例行单纯旁路移植1支;10例先行支架植入,后行胸廓内动脉至前降支端侧吻合,其中2例行胸廓内动脉与第一对角支、前降支序贯吻合;8例行旁路移植2支,其中3例为序贯吻合,5例应用桡动脉行"Y"形吻合.术后无死亡及严重并发症.37例患者获得26～82个月随访,平均(53.2±28.5)个月;无晚期死亡,无再发心肌梗死.心功能Ⅰ级26例,Ⅱ级12例.3例心绞痛复发,2例经药物控制后症状缓解,1例经造影证实吻合口狭窄于术后2年行支架植入.结论 左前外侧小切口非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术具有较低的病死率和心脏不良事件发生率,远期结果良好.     

非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术围手术期心肌梗死发生率与移植血管血流量的关系

目的探讨冠状动脉旁路移植术（CABG）中移植血管血流量与围手术期心肌梗死（MI）发生率之间的关系,为临床提供借鉴。方法采集2010年1～6月在北京大学第一医院连续58例因冠心病接受单纯择期非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术（（）PcAB）患者的临床资料。术中均采用左乳内动脉（I,IMA）吻合于左前降支（I．AD）,其他靶血管则以大隐静脉（SV）作为旁路移植血管,在关胸前循环状态稳定条件下,应用瞬时流量测定技术测量各移植血管的血流量,并计算移植血管总血流量。根据术后是否发生围手术期MI,将患者分成两组：MI组11例,其中男7例,女4例;年龄67．4±10．3岁;非MI组,47例,其中男38例,女9例;年龄63．3±9．9岁。分析两组患者术前及术中的相关危险因素。结果MI组与非MI组的手术时间差异无统计学意义（205．44±59．6rainVS．183．4±32．4min,t=1．69l,P=0．096）。MI组与非MI组移植血管数量（3．00±1．oo支VS．2．96±0．78支,t=0．154,P=0．878）、LIMA-LAD移植血管血流量（15．40±）1．37mi／minVS．16．50±10．83mJ／min,f=0．301,P=0．764）差异均无统计学意义;MI组与非MI组移植血管总血流量（41．03土19．50ml／minVS．64．09±32．44ml／min,t=2．254,P=0．028）差异有统计学意义。移植血管总血流量〈48．5ml／min为发生MI的危险因素EoR：4．706,95％CI（1．099,20．147）]。结论移植血管总血流量可在一定程度上预测CABG后急性心肌缺血事件的发生,总血流量〈48．5ml／min的患者术后发生围手术期MI的概率将明显增加。     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting via a left thoracotomy in a patient with left main trunk disease

We report a case of multiple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) via a left thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. A 54-year-old female with unstable angina pectoris associated with left main trunk disease underwent emergency CABG. Because the patient had a history of total arch and aortic root replacement due to type A aortic dissection, a left thoracotomy approach was selected. The proximal end of the Y-shaped saphenous vein graft was anastomosed to the left subclavian artery, rather than to the descending aorta, owing to the remaining aortic dissection. The distal end of the Y-shaped saphenous vein graft was anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery and the posterolateral branch without cardiopulmonary bypass. The postoperative course was uneventful. The results of this surgery seem to indicate that off-pump CABG via a left thoracotomy is a viable technique, especially for patients undergoing repeat CABG.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting for ischemic heart disease combined with aortitis

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in a 67-year-old woman with aortitis. She had a past history of right radical mastectomy. Preoperative coronary angiogram showed diffuse stenotic lesions in both right and left coronary arteries. The pressure gradient between ascending aorta and peripheral radial artery was 90 mmHg and the cause of coronary stenosis seemed to be hypertension due to stenotic distal aorta. The aortogram showed occluded bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITA) and stenotic abdominal aorta. The cephalic artery was supplied by a large meandering artery via dilated gastroepiploic artery (GEA). And thus the GEA was not useful for CABG. Quadruple CABG was performed with mild varicose saphenous vein (saphenous vein grafts to left anterior descending artery and third branch, and sequential saphenous vein graft to right posterior descending and atrioventricular branches). It seemed to be important to demonstrate the arterial lesion of ITA and GEA before CABG in patients with aortitis.     

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass using H graft for pleural symphysis.

In November 1995, video-assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass procedure, which is defined as a combination of the thoracoscopic internal mammary artery (IMA) harvest and direct coronary bypass grafting, was introduced for patients who need minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) using IMA. In the thoracoscopic IMA harvest, the pleural adhesions or symphysis present an obstacle. We present a case where a redo patient who had complete pleural symphysis of left chest cavity precluded the thoracoscopic IMA harvest, and MIDCAB with the H graft procedure was performed.     

非体外循环冠状动脉搭桥术的技术改进──先吻合桥血管近端的“顺行序贯式”吻合术

目的探讨先吻合桥血管近端的“顺行序贳式”吻合技术住非体外循环心脏不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术（off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting,OPCABG）中应用的临床意义和价值。方法56例患者行OPCABG术中采用先吻合桥血管近端的“顺行序贯式”吻合术：先行带蒂左乳内动脉与左前降支吻合;若使用游离桥血管则先与升主动脉吻合,再与左前降支吻合。然后用大隐静脉或桡动脉进行“序贯式”吻合搭桥。结果与左前降支吻合的桥血管：带蒂左乳内动脉49支,游离左乳内动脉1支,桡动脉4支,大隐静脉2支。采用大隐静脉进行“序贯式”吻合：4个吻合口（包括近端吻合口）32例,3个吻合口15例。桡动脉进行“序贯式”吻合：4个吻合口2例,3个吻合口7冽。大隐静脉-右冠状动脉单桥5支。总搭桥207支,平均3．7支／例。术后心绞痛症状全部缓解,无围术期急性心肌梗塞。54例随访2～70个月,无新发心绞痛,无死亡病例。结论应用先吻合桥血管近端的“顺行序贯式”吻合技术,可使OPCABG更简便、安全、有效,更有益于多支病变患者,尤其是急危重症的冠心病患者。     

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB).

Recently, coronary artery bypass graft without cardiopulmonary bypass, which is named minimally invasive coronary artery bypass, has received attention from cardiac surgeons. In 1996, Calafiore introduced left anterior small thoracotomy (LAST) for coronary artery revascularization. Today, this procedure is named minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass graft (MIDCAB) and presented in many clinical reports because of its less invasiveness and economic advantage. MIDCAB is performed on LITA to LAD by LAST as a standard procedure. Now, this technique has been modified in many ways so that bypass surgery can be performed on RGEA to RCA or on circumflex artery by mini-sternotomy. Multiple-branch bypass surgery has been performed in an increasing number of patients. MIDCAB has technical difficulties to ablate the internal artery for providing bypass, with an extremely small wound left, and to reconstruct complete blood flow with this technique alone. However, combination of MIDCAB with intervention could provide reconstruction of favorable blood flow. This paper deals with the indication, surgical procedure, problems and future views of MIDCAB.