Long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting has been an established procedure for more than 20 years. This article summarizes recently published information regarding the long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting, including several analyses of large data bases that extend over periods of 15 to 20 years. Other research pertinent to the etiology of conduit occlusion and information regarding the management of patients with recurrent ischemia following coronary artery bypass grafting is discussed. The studies reviewed for the present article confirmed the beneficial effect of internal mammary artery grafting on long-term survival and defined the factors influencing long-term survival in patients with saphenous vein grafts. Other studies determined the effect of initiating aspirin postoperatively on graft patency, evaluated novel conduits for grafting, and elucidated the remodeling of saphenous vein that occurs over time in the arterial circulation.     

Adrenal function during coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE: To assess adrenal function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by means of the low-dose (1 microg) ACTH test, and to correlate the adrenal function with clinical outcome. METHODS: During a 5-Month period we prospectively included 45 patients undergoing elective CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass and without symptoms of endocrine disease. Low-dose (1 microg) ACTH tests were performed on the day before surgery (day -1), immediately after the operation (day 0), on the two subsequent days in the intensive care unit (day 1 and day 2), and on the day of discharge from the hospital. A number of clinical, hemodynamic and laboratory parameters were monitored throughout. RESULTS: On day -1, 75% of the study patients had normal stimulated plasma cortisol concentrations. Eleven patients (25%) had an impaired adrenal response to 1 microg ACTH. The stimulated plasma cortisol concentrations in patients who had an inadequate adrenal response on day -1 remained significantly reduced on day 1 (756+/-205 vs 949+/-259 nmol/l, P=0.03) (mean+/-s.d.), day 2 (644 (580-793) vs 885 (713-1087), P=0.03) (median (interquartile range)), and on the day of discharge (698+/-201 vs 854+/-186, P=0.05). In patients with a normal adrenal response in the preoperative setting peak cortisol concentrations were reached on day 1, in patients with a blunted adrenal response they were reached on day 2. There were significant correlations between the stimulated plasma cortisol concentrations and the blood loss (r=-0.50, P=0.002) and Volume balance (r=0.41, P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Occult (partial) adrenal insufficiency is common in patients undergoing CABG who are otherwise asymptomatic as regards endocrine disease. The adrenal function in these patients differs both in the magnitude of cortisol response to ACTH and in the time course, with significantly delayed peak cortisol concentrations. Adequate regulation of Volume balance and the amount of blood loss seem to correlate with adequacy of adrenal function.     

Early and long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting with severely depressed left ventricular performance

The effects of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on ventricular performance and long-term clinical status were studied in 18 consecutive patients with disabling angina pectoris and severely depressed left ventricular (LV) performance (ejection fraction [EF] 27 +/- 9%). All patients survived CABG, although 1 patient had a perioperative myocardial infarction. There was no change in LVEF at rest, 29 +/- 12%, in the other 17 patients. However, LVEF during peak exercise increased from 22 +/- 7% to 27 +/- 14% (p less than 0.05). The 17 patients were separated into 2 groups: those who increased their peak exercise LVEF by at least 10% (group A, 8 patients) and those who increased it by less than 10% (group B, 9 patients). Preoperatively, patients in group A had a higher LVEF at rest (p less than 0.001) and smaller end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes at rest (p less than 0.001) and during exercise (p less than 0.005). Preoperatively, the LVEF in group A decreased with exercise, from 36 +/- 4% to 27 +/- 5% (p less than 0.01), but was unchanged in group B (19 +/- 3% vs 17 +/- 4%, difference not significant). After CABG, patients in group A had a smaller increase in end-systolic volume with exercise than those in group B (13 +/- 7 vs 34 +/- 22 ml/m2, p less than 0.05), but the changes in end-diastolic volume with exercise were not significantly different. At 27 +/- 5 months after CABG, 5 of 8 patients in group A were asymptomatic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Initial results and long-term outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of percutaneous coronary intervention following bypass surgery(coronary artery bypass grafting: CABG) is not low, but the outcomes of patients requiring percutaneous coronary intervention after CABG are not well known. METHODS: From June 1970 to June 2000, 2,981 patients underwent CABG at our institute using 6,747 grafts including 2,875 saphenous vein graft(SVG), 3,042 internal thoracic artery(ITA), 706 gastro-epiploic artery(GEA), 122 radial artery(RA), and 2 others. Three hundred twenty-seven patients underwent subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention in 520 lesions(104 SVG, 97 ITA, 12 GEA, 8 RA, 299 native artery). The initial results and long-term outcome following percutaneous coronary intervention in these 520 consecutive procedures were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Percutaneous coronary intervention to arterial grafts were performed mainly within the early post-operative period, whereas percutaneous coronary intervention to vein grafts had two periodic peaks in the early post-operative period and at 7 years after CABG. Procedural success rate of percutaneous coronary intervention was 90% for SVG, 81% for ITA, 58% for GEA, 88% for RA, and 87% for native arteries. Restenosis rate was 56% for SVG, 30% for ITA, 83% for GEA, 83% for RA, and 49% for native arteries. Cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention with previous CABG were greater in cases of ITA, followed by native arteries, SVG, GEA and RA(p = 0.0046). In the early post-operative period, there was no significant difference between ITA and SVG. In the chronic stage, the prognosis of cardiac events after PCI for SVG was worse than for ITA. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous coronary intervention after CABG requires strategic consideration based on target-specific initial results and long-term outcome.     

Operative results of coronary artery bypass grafting in women

BACKGROUND: The relative mortality of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in women is not certain. The purpose of this study was to examine the results of primary, isolated CABG in a series of Taiwanese female patients. METHODS: Medical records of 2055 patients (188 women and 1867 men), who underwent primary, isolated CABG at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 1999, were reviewed. The mortality rate, associated with clinical and operative variables, was compared between female and male patients. RESULTS: The female patients had more diabetes (51.6% vs. 29.9%, P<0.01), more hypertension (77.1% vs. 65.0%, P<0.01), and more hypercholesterolemia (39.4% vs. 29.6%, P<0.01), as compared with men. Fewer women consumed cigarette smoking (17.0% vs. 52.1%, P<0.001). Fewer internal mammary artery grafts were used in women (43.1% vs. 57.3%, P<0.001). Nine female (4.8%) and 93 male patients (5.0%) died. There was no significant difference in hospital mortality between women and men. Other variables, including age, angina class, NYHA class, incidence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease, stenosis of left main coronary artery, number of stenotic coronary arteries, incidence of emergent operations, anastomosis number, aortic cross-clamping time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and left ventricular ejection fraction, were not significantly different between female and male patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the female patients were more frequently diabetic, hypertensive, and hypercholesterolemic, the hospital mortality of CABG in women was not significantly different from that in men. This result supports an aggressive surgical treatment for women with coronary artery disease.     

Effects of residual coronary artery disease on results of coronary artery bypass grafting

To assess the effects of residual coronary artery disease (non-revascularized coronary vessels) after coronary artery bypass grafting on symptoms and exercise left ventricular function, we categorized 77 patients into 3 groups according to the extent of residual coronary artery disease: group I (n = 17) had no residual coronary artery disease (residual score = 0); group II (n = 30) had light residual coronary artery disease (score of 1 to 9, mean 4.7); and group III (n = 30) had moderate residual coronary artery disease (score greater than or equal to 10, mean 23). Sixty patients were asymptomatic after coronary artery bypass grafting (14 in group I, 24 in group II, and 22 in group III), but the remaining patients had occasional angina pectoris. The resting left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in group I than in the remaining 2 groups (56 +/- 18% in group I, 47 +/- 19% in group II, and 43 +/- 16% in group III, P less than 0.05). The exercise left ventricular ejection fraction was also significantly higher in group I (61 +/- 16% in group I, 51 +/- 18% in group II and 45 +/- 18% in group III, P less than 0.01). The ejection fraction response to exercise was abnormal in 5 patients in group I, 15 patients in group II, and 19 patients in group III. Thus, coronary artery bypass grafting results in symptomatic improvement, even in patients with residual coronary artery disease. The presence of residual coronary artery disease, however, may be a determinant of exercise left ventricular function in these patients.     

MINI-off-pump coronary artery bypass graft: long-term results

In an effort to decrease the risks and costs associated with coronary artery bypass graft, in 1978 we repopularized off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) and expanded the technique, addressing lesions of the circumflex system and applying it to diverse clinical scenarios. In this article we describe our experience with 40 patients who received coronary revascularization through a MINI-OPCABG (Benetti technique) operation. Follow-up was achieved by direct communication with the patients or their family during 144 months. The interviews investigated survival, symptoms, long-term medical management and the need for reintervention. This group of patients had no operative mortality and 18 patients (45%) were extubated in the operating room. One patient (2.5%) experienced a perioperative myocardial infarction. During follow-up, two patients received percutaneous coronary intervention, one in the right coronary artery, the other in the circumflex system. A total of seven patients (17.5%) died. Overall, cumulative patient survival at 144 months was 82.5% (33 cases). Of the seven patients who died, four (10.0%) died of cardiac causes and 68.5% were free of symptoms. Technological advances will help to overcome the anatomical difficulties of this surgical technique, and when simplified, will allow it to be reproduced, offering patients a minimally invasive surgical alternative for the treatment of coronary disease, avoiding the limitations of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft.     

Percutaneous coronary interventions: guidelines, short- and long-term results, and comparison with coronary artery bypass grafting

An ever-growing number of patients are being referred for coronary revascularization in an attempt to reduce morbidity or to reduce mortality. Multiple randomized trials comparing percutaneous and surgical coronary revascularization have been performed. The decision to proceed with percutaneous or surgical revascularization should be based ona thorough understanding of the short- and long-term risks and benefits of each procedure in conjunction with the individual patient's coronary arterial anatomy and clinical risk profile.     

Risk analysis of urgent coronary artery bypass grafting

We analyzed the risk factors of morbidity and mortality associated with urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for impending myocardial infarcton. Among 1,428 consecutive patients who underwent isolated on-pump CABG between 1992 and 1998, a total of 126 were urgent cases. Their inhospital and long-term data were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method or logistic model. The mean number of grafts performed during urgent CABG was 3.2, and arterial reconstruction was performed in 117 (93.9%) cases. Major postoperative complicatons occurred in 64 cases (50.8%), and there were 9 inhospital deaths (7.1%). Significant predictor of inhospital death, identified by multivariate analysis, was a history of cerebral vascular accident. During a mean follow-up period of 3.1 years, there was a total of 7 remote deaths giving an actuarial 5-year survival rate of 93.5% (excluding inhospital deaths). Remote cardiac events occurred in 23 patients, giving an actuarial 5-year event-free rate of 74.8%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that risk factors influencing cardiac events were poor left ventricular function, preoperative renal dysfunction, postoperative use of intra-aortic balloon pumping, and postoperative induction of dialysis, while those influencing survival were previous myocardial infarction. Comparing elective CABG performed in the same period, the inhospital mortality of urgent cases was 33.8 times higher. Among hospital-survivors, patients after urgent CABG demonstrated fair long-term survival and future development of cardiac events. All efforts to achieve complete revascularization and frequent use of the internal mammary artery may contribute to improving the long-term results; however, careful management is necessary for patients with poor cardiac function.The paper was presented in part at the 41st Annual World Congress, International College of Angiology, Sapporo, Japan, July 3–10, 1999.     

小切口与胸骨正中切口在冠状动脉旁路移植手术中的比较

目的:比较左胸小切口冠状动脉旁路移植手术(MIDCAB)与常规正中切口冠状动脉旁路移植手术(CABG)的临床效果。方法:2012年10月至2015年12月,采用左胸小切口取左乳内动脉(LIMA)心脏不停跳CABG术45例和常规正中开胸CABG手术50例。比较术前基本情况、手术时间、出血量、术后疼痛评分、围术期心肌梗死、死亡等指标;所有患者均在术后1年时进行随访,比较术后1年的吻合口再狭窄、心绞痛、心肌梗死、脑卒中及死亡等重要终点事件发生率。结果:入选两组患者术前一般情况无显著差别。两组患者均成功施行不停跳CABG手术,围术期均无死亡。MIDCA组具有手术时间短,围术期出血少等优点。但MIDCAB组术后疼痛程度较常规正中切口CABG组大。两组在围术期心肌梗死发生、切口愈合不良发生率上差异无统计学意义。随访1年时,两组患者在心绞痛、心肌梗死、死亡、脑卒中、吻合口再狭窄等终点事件差异均无统计学意义。结论:MIDCAB术具有与传统正中切口手术一样的近中期效果,MIDCAB术安全可行,值得推广。     

Impact of age on the results of coronary artery bypass grafting

As the average age of patients undergoing cardiac surgery is increasing, the effects of age on the incidence of postoperative complications and 30-day mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting were examined. The EuroSCORE and corresponding age-stripped EuroSCORE were calculated in 6,057 patients who underwent isolated coronary bypass between January 1996 and January 2002. Both EuroSCORE and age-stripped EuroSCORE exhibited a significant increase with age in the whole group of patients and in those who were alive 30 days after surgery. The 30-day mortality and the incidence of postoperative complications increased significantly with age. A significant age-dependent increase in EuroSCORE was found in patients who died within 30 days postoperatively, whereas no age dependence was observed in the age-stripped EuroSCORE. Univariate analysis showed diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation to be significant risk factors for 30-day mortality; atrial fibrillation was also found to significantly affect 30-day mortality on multivariate analysis. In view of the increasing co-morbidity and age-dependent organ changes in the elderly, specific preventive and therapeutic measures are needed in this group of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.     

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.     

Early and late results of coronary artery bypass grafting in the elderly

This study is a review of our experience with elderly patients, who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Of 357 patients who underwent elective CABG from April 1982 to May 1986, 50 patients (14.0%) were 65 years old or older. The incidence of preoperative cardiac conditions in the elderly was almost the same as that in patients less than 65 years of age. The incidence of noncardiac preoperative conditions in the older patients, such as diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, concomitant malignant disease, atherosclerotic lesion of the ascending aorta, was significantly higher than that in the younger age group. Early surgical mortality was 4.0% (2 cases) in the older group, and 1.3% (4 cases) in the younger group. There was no significant difference in statistics. The incidence of major postoperative complications was not significantly different between the two age groups, except that of cerebral infarction, which was significantly higher in the elderly group (6.0% vs 0.3%, p less than 0.001). The rate of a long postoperative hospital stay was also significantly higher in the older group (43.8% vs 30.0%, p less than 0.05). Long-term results, such as late mortality, symptom-free rate and graft patency, showed no significant differences between the two age groups. It is concluded that CABG can be performed in selected older patients with relatively low mortality and morbidity. Special attention should be paid to prevent perioperative cerebral infarction.     

同期行冠状动脉旁路移植术与瓣膜手术23例

目的分析同时行冠状动脉旁路移植术和心脏瓣膜手术的治疗效果。方法23例患者同时行瓣膜手术与冠状动脉旁路移植术,平均年龄63.3(41～81)岁。瓣膜病变8例为风湿性,10例为瓣膜退行性病变,5例为缺血性二尖瓣反流。术前心功能(NYHA)Ⅱ级6例、Ⅲ级13例、Ⅳ级4例。手术在中度低温体外循环下进行,心脏停跳后,先做静脉桥的远端吻合,然后置换瓣膜。静脉桥与升主动脉的近端吻合在升主动脉一次阻断下或心脏复苏后完成。乳内动脉的吻合在换瓣后心脏复苏前完成。5例行二尖瓣成形,18例行瓣膜置换(使用生物瓣与机械瓣者分别为7例及11例,其中主动脉瓣置换12例、二尖瓣置换4例、双瓣置换2例)。结果术后呼吸机使用时间平均28.2(11￣247)h,平均ICU停留3.1(1￣34)d。4例患者因发生低心排综合征而行主动脉内球囊反搏(IABP),其中死亡1例。1例发生脑梗塞,1例置入永久起搏器。术后心功能Ⅰ级15例、Ⅱ级7例,均较术前明显改善。随访3￣55个月,术后均无心绞痛发作,未发生与抗凝相关的出血或血栓、栓塞事件。1例术后第4年死于恶性肿瘤。结论冠状动脉旁路移植术同时行瓣膜手术是安全、有效的。彻底纠治瓣膜病变、充分心肌再血管化和心肌保护是手术成功的关键。     

Early and mid-term results of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting

Introduction

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICABG) is a less invasive method of performing surgical revascularization. This technique coupled with use of off pump technique of surgical revascularization makes it truly less invasive. This method is highly effective even in high-risk patients. Results of this procedure are comparable to standard off pump technique and are better than percutaneous coronary intervention utilizing drug-eluting stent. We present an early and mid-term result of the use of this technique.

Method

We enrolled 33 patients for analysis operated between 2008 and 2012. Operation was performed utilizing off-pump technique of coronary artery bypass grafting through a minimal invasive incision. Left internal mammary artery graft was done for single vessel disease and radial artery was utilized for other grafts if required. Median follow up of 2.5 years (6 months–4 years) is available.

Results

Median age was 58.5 years (41–77) and all were male. Single vessel disease was present in 7, double vessel in 14 and triple vessel disease in 12 patients. All the patients had normal left ventricular size and function. There was no operative and 30-day mortality. Conversion to median sternotomy to complete the operation was done in 6.6% (2 out of 33 patients). One patient had acute myocardial infarction and there were no deaths during follow up.

Conclusion

MICABG is a safe and effective method of revascularization in low risk candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting.     

体外循环与非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术早期疗效分析

目的:探讨体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术(CCABG)和非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术（OPCABG）早期疗效的差异。方法: 采集自2003年10月~2008年1月我院单纯冠状动脉旁路移植术5325例临床资料,分为CCABG组（343例）与OPCABG组（4 982例）。对两组患者各项术前因素、术中因素、手术死亡率及并发症进行比较。结果: OPCABG组实际手术死亡率（1.7％）明显低于CCABG组（6.7％）,P<0.01;术后二次开胸止血、肾功能不全等并发症的发生率及ICU停留时间、呼吸机辅助时间、术后住院时间都低于CCABG组（P<0.05,P<0.01）。风险调整后CCABG组手术死亡率仍高于OPCABG组6个百分点,术后并发症的发生率均略高于OPCABG组（P<0.05）。结论: CCABG与OPCABG早期临床疗效均令人满意,后者更好一些。     

Complete arterial coronary artery bypass grafting versus conventional revascularization--early results

BACKGROUND: Complete arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) offers the potential to improve long-term results. However, an increased perioperative risk has been controversially discussed. New operative techniques (skeletonization of the ITA/ T-grafts/utilization of the radial artery (RA)) may decrease perioperative risk. We compared the outcome after conventional with that after complete arterial CABG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three consecutive groups of patients were analyzed. In group I (n = 50), CABG was performed using left ITA and vein grafts. The other two groups received complete arterial CABG with either both ITA's (group II; n = 52) or left ITA and RA (group III; n = 52). RESULTS: A mean of 3.9+/-0.8 (I) versus 4.2+/-0.8 (II) and 3.9+/-0.9 (III) anastomoses were performed per patient (ns). Mean operating time was significantly prolonged in group II (II: 252+/-54; p<0.0001; vs. I: 191+/-36; III: 203+/-33). Mean ischemic time was significantly prolonged in group II and III (II:65+/-20; p<0.0001; III: 68+/-16; p<0.0001; vs. I: 51+/-15). Mean bypass time (I: 83+/-23; II: 95+/-41; III: 91+/-21), the rate of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality (I: n = 0; II: n = 2; III: n = 0; ns) showed no significant differences. Conclusions: Complete arterial CABG using modern surgical techniques is as safe as the conventional surgical approach using left ITA and vein graft.     

Concomitant aortoaxillary bypass and coronary artery bypass grafting

The optimal revascularization strategy for patients with subclavian and coronary artery disease has not been established. This study assessed the mid-term clinical outcome of concomitant aortoaxillary bypass and coronary artery bypass grafting in 5 patients. A ring-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene graft was attached to the ascending aorta and led to the proximal segment of the axillary artery via the pleural cavity. Patients were followed up for 2-10 years (mean, 5.4 +/- 3.4 years). Postoperative aortography and angiography demonstrated patent aortoaxillary and coronary bypass grafts in the short-term follow-up of all patients. Two patients with Takayasu aortitis needed re-operations for recurrent angina and annuloaortic dilatation. Another patient required removal of the aortoaxillary bypass graft because of infection, and subsequently underwent a left femoroaxillary bypass one year after the original procedure. Subclavian steal phenomenon did not occur. Aortoaxillary bypass with coronary artery bypass may be an effective option for patients with co-existing subclavian and coronary artery disease.