Successful surgical management for aneurysms of single coronary artery with a fistulous connection to the right ventricle

While a coronary artery fistula with aneurysmal formation is rare, a fistula/aneurysm combination occurring in single coronary artery is even rarer. Here, we report the successful surgical correction of a right ventricular fistula with a large aneurysm of 30 mm and a daughter aneurysm within a case of single coronary artery.     

Current status of coronary artery surgery

After a decade of experience with direct coronary artery surgery, certain conclusions have been made regarding its benefits and indications. Conclusion one is that the operation is highly successful in eliminating or alleviating angina; two, it improves exercise tolerance, and three, it prolongs life in patients with significant left main coronary artery disease. The proper selection of patients and the current technique of operation are also presented. Presented at the 79th Annual Congress of the Japan Surgical Society, Sapparo, 1979 May.     

Coronary artery and graft spasm after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

We report a case of a 52-year-old man with severe coronary artery and graft spasm after triple-vessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Emergent coronary angiography was performed to identify the location and severity of the spasm. Intracoronary injections of several vasodilators failed to relieve the spasm. Observational treatments including intra-aortic balloon pump and inotropic drugs to increase coronary flow were performed until the spasm resolved. The patient recovered and was discharged. A follow-up coronary angiography revealed patent native coronary artery and bypass grafts without evidence of residual spasm.     

Massive coronary spasm of the native coronary system after coronary artery bypass grafting: Two patients with different outcomes

We report the cases of two patients who developed a massive spasm of the native coronary system in the immediate postoperative period, following a coronary artery bypass grafting operation with different outcomes. The first patient was hemodynamic stable and it was manifested as ischemic electrocardiographic changes in different leads (ST elevation or depression). He was treated with intracoronary and intravenous administration of nitroglycerin and calcium channel blocker and had a favorable outcome. The second patient died due to multiorgan failure and hemorrhagic shock, after the implantation of a central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.     

Surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm

Two successful cases of the surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm (non-Kawasaki disease) were reported. The first case had a saccular aneurysm on the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) #14. Resection of the LCx aneurysm was performed subsequent to single vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the distal portion of LCx#14 under the cardioplegic cardiac arrest. The second case had aneurysms on both the left anterior descending artery (LAD) #7 (fusiform) and the LCx#11 (saccular). After double vessel CABG to LAD#7 and LCx#11, ligation or resection of two aneurysms was performed successfully. Postoperative courses have been uneventful with good angiographic results achieved. Since these surgical procedures demonstrated safety, the patients are expected to achieve a good long-term prognosis.     

Surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm

Two successful cases of the surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm (non-Kawasaki disease) were reported. The first case had a saccular aneurysm on the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) #14. Resection of the LCx aneurysm was performed subsequent to single vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the distal portion of LCx#14 under the cardioplegic cardiac arrest. The second case had aneurysms on both the left anterior descending artery (LAD) #7 (fusiform) and the LCx#11 (saccular). After double vessel CABG to LAD#7 and LCx#11, ligation or resection of two aneurysms was performed successfully. Postoperative courses have been uneventful with good angiographic results achieved. Since these surgical procedures demonstrated safety, the patients are expected to achieve a good long-term prognosis.     

Challenging surgery of giant right coronary aneurysm associated with coronary sinus fistula

Coronary artery fistula is a rare congenital or acquired anomaly. It involves an abnormal connection between the coronary artery and the cardiac chambers or the large thoracic vessels. In some cases, the feeding coronary artery can become extremely dilated. The treatment includes a transcatheter or a surgical intervention depending on the complexity of the anomaly. We present the surgical treatment of the coronary artery to coronary sinus fistula, which includes the complete exclusion of the giant right coronary artery and followed by triple bypass surgery.     

Similar survival 15 years after coronary artery surgery irrespective of left main stem stenosis

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate 15-year survival after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to grade left main stenosis (LMS) and right coronary artery (RCA) obstruction. Design. Coronary angiographic findings were prospectively collected in 977 patients who had CABG for stable angina during 1994–1995 and were included in the Swedish Coronary Revascularization – Swedish Council of Technology Assessment study. Results. Significant LMS was present in one fifth of the patients and significant RCA obstruction was found in 61% of those with LMS and in 68% of patients without LMS. The patients were categorized as no LMS (Group I), LMS without RCA obstruction (Group II) or significant LMS with significant right coronary artery (RCA) obstruction (Group III). Early mortality did not differ in the three groups and was 1.2, 1.2% and 0.8% in group I, II and III, respectively. Corresponding survival at 15 years was similar 51%, 47% and 47%, respectively. In multivariable analysis older age, smoking, severe angina, positive stress test, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ejection fraction < 50% were risk factors for death at 15 years. Conclusions. Death 15 years after CABG correlated to clinical variables but was not predicted from presence of LMS with or without significant associated RCA obstruction.     

Use of an audible ultrasonic flowmeter to locate deeply buried coronary arteries for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

In patients with coronary arteries that are deeply buried in the myocardium and fat, it is difficult and sometimes risky to expose them for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB), leading to unavoidable conversion to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (C-CABG) to ensure their safety. We have developed a new search procedure for these coronary arteries using a dedicated ultrasonic flowmeter with a small tip probe for OPCAB. This technique enables the identification of intramuscular and intra-fat coronary arteries that are less diseased and thus more suited for bypass surgery instead of switching to C-CABG. We believe this procedure will not only improve the quality of OPCAB but also expand its indication.     

Concomitant severe carotid and coronary artery diseases: a separate management or concomitant approach

Objective: To systematically compare outcomes between patients with asymptomatic carotid artery diseases (>80% stenosis) that had undergone staged carotid endarterectomy (CEA) before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) vs simultaneous CEA and CABG. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Ovid from their inception up till August 2018 was performed to identify all studies comparing staged CEA followed by CABG to simultaneous CEA and CABG. Primary outcome measure was postoperative stroke, and secondary measures were myocardial infarction (MI) and 30‐day mortality rates. Results: A total of 67 953 patients were analyzed from 11 articles. There was higher rate of previous stroke in the staged cohort (2.64% vs 2.32%; odds ratio [OR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI; 0.66, 0.99]; P = .040). There was no difference in previous MI (P = .57) or unstable angina (P = .08) among both cohorts. Postoperatively, there were higher stroke rates (3.64% vs 2.83%; OR, 0.72; 95% CI [0.62‐0.89]; P < .0001), operative mortality (4.32% vs 3.58%; OR, 0.90; 95% CI [0.83‐0.98]; P = .02), and 30‐day mortality (4.40% vs 3.58%; OR, 0.86; 95% CI [0.78‐0.96]; P = .006) in the simultaneous cohort. However, length of stay was significantly shorter in the simultaneous cohort (11.9 days vs 12.6 days; weighted mean difference 3.14 [0.77‐5.51]; P = .009). There were no significant differences in 1‐year mortality (P = .33), MI rates (P = .08), and rates of transient neurological deficits (P = .06). Conclusion: The results from this study favors staged CEA with CABG with lower incidence of postoperative stroke, operative, and 30‐day mortality. A larger study, ideally a randomized controlled trial, is required to address the superiority of each technique.     

The 2021 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions guideline for coronary artery revascularization. A worldwide call for consistency and logic

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Initial Experience Using an Intraluminal Shunt During Revascularization of the Beating Heart

Background. For decades, surgeons have relied on extracorporeal circulation and induced cardiac asystole to provide a bloodless, motionless field in which to construct coronary bypass grafts. However, the technique of coronary grafting without heart-lung support is now being revitalized. The current resurgence of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and the advent of less invasive incisions make it imperative that technical advances be applied to maximize the safety of these procedures.

Methods. This report describes an inexpensive intraluminal shunt that maintains coronary perfusion, prevents ischemia, reduces backbleeding, and molds the suture line to prevent accidental missuturing of the posterior coronary wall.

Results. In 63 patients, saphenous grafts were placed to the left anterior descending (49), diagonal (9), and right coronary artery (27) without extracorporeal circulation using an intraluminal shunt. There were no deaths (0% mortality) and one perioperative infarction (1.5%). Complication and graft patency rates were comparable with those obtained by conventional techniques.

Conclusions. Temporary intraluminal shunting greatly facilitates the surgeons' operative environment by permitting safe and precise construction of coronary artery grafts on the beating heart in a bloodless field. Intraluminal shunting may have future implications on the ability to perform safe and reproducible grafting on the beating heart through minimally invasive or endoscopic approaches.     

Congenital coronary artery fistulas: clinical considerations and surgical treatment

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery fistulas are uncommon abnormalities that can cause significant cardiac morbidity. Indications for operation vary, particularly, for asymptomatic patients. Early surgical correction is indicated because of the high incidence of late symptoms and complications. METHODS: From January 1981 to December 2001, all 15 patients who underwent surgical management of congenital coronary artery fistulas at the Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, China were included in the present retrospective study. RESULTS: Twelve patients were symptomatic at the time of the diagnosis. Coronary artery fistulas involved the right coronary artery in five patients, left coronary artery in nine, and both the right and the left coronary arteries in one. Coronary artery fistula drained into the right ventricle in seven patients, right atrium in three, pulmonary artery in two, left ventricle in one, left atrium in two, and coronary venous sinus in one. The value of pulmonary blood flow/systemic blood flow ranged from 0.98 to 2.1. Six patients had associated cardiac anomalies. All patients received surgical correction. Nine patients received cardiopulmonary bypass during operation. There was zero operative mortality and operative morbidity was low. All patients had a stable condition and were asymptomatic during a mean postoperative follow-up of 13.3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical treatment for coronary artery fistulas is safe and effective. The risk of operative correction appears to be considerably less than the potential for development of serious and potentially fatal complications, even in asymptomatic patients.     

Grade of left main coronary artery stenosis does not influence long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass surgery

Objective. To assess if grade of left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis influences early or long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Design. Among all 1 384 patients with LMCA stenosis at Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden during 1990–1999, 131 deaths occurred within 5 years of surgery (cases). Matched controls (n=146) were randomly selected from all surviving LMCA patients taking gender, age and year of surgery into account. Angiographies were classified for grade of LMCA stenosis before the operation. Results. High-grade LMCA stenosis was equally common among cases and controls (50 vs. 45%). The odds ratio (OR) of mortality 5 years after the operation in patients with high-grade versus low-grade LMCA stenosis based on the matched pairs was 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–2.0) and after multivariable adjustment using information on all subjects the OR was 1.0 (95% CI 0.6–1.7). For early and one year mortality similar odds ratios were observed but with wide confidence intervals. Conclusions. Grade of LMCA stenosis does not appear to influence early or long-term mortality after CABG performed during 1990–1999.     

OPCAB surgery is cost-effective for elderly patients

Abstract

Objective. To determine the cost-effective operative strategy for coronary artery bypass surgery in patients above 70 years. Design. Randomized, controlled trial of 900 patients above 70 years of age subjected to coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients were randomized to either on-pump or off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Data on direct and indirect costs were prospectively collected. Preoperatively and six months postoperatively, quality of life was assessed using EuroQol-5D questionnaires. Perioperative in-hospital costs and costs of re-intervention were included. Results. The Summary Score of EuroQol-5D increased in both groups between preoperatively and postoperatively. In the on-pump group, it increased from 0.75 (0.16) (mean (SD)) to 0.84 (0.17), while the increase in the off-pump group was from 0.75 (0.15) to 0.84 (0.18). The difference between the groups was 0.0016 QALY and not significantly different. The mean costs were 148.940 D.Kr (CI, 130.623 D.Kr–167.252 D.Kr) for an on-pump patient and 138.693 D.Kr (CI, 123.167 D.Kr–154.220 D.Kr) for an off-pump patient. The ICER base-case point estimate was 6,829,999 D.Kr/QALY. The cost-effectiveness acceptability curve showed 89% probability of off-pump being cost-effective at a threshold value of 269,400 D.Kr/QALY. Conclusions. Off-pump surgery tends to be more cost-effective than on-pump surgery. Long-term comparisons are warranted.