Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography for evaluation of internal mammary artery graft in coronary bypass surgery

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed to evaluate graft patency in 60 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting with the internal mammary artery (IMA). Sixty IMA grafts with 62 distal anastomoses, and 84 saphenous vein grafts with 85 distal anastomoses were evaluated by intraarterial DSA with an image frequency of 4 frames/sec. A No. 4 Fr. angiography catheter was introduced percutaneously into the left brachial artery and contrast medium was injected both into the subclavian artery for opacification of the IMA grafts and into the ascending aorta for opacification of aortocoronary saphenous vein grafts. Bypass grafts were defined as patent when grafts were opacified through their entire course, including anastomotic sites. Fifty-nine IMA grafts with 61 distal anastomoses (98%) and 76 saphenous vein grafts with 77 distal anastomoses (91%) were patent. The overall patency rate for total grafts was 94%. In 4 patients, DSA showed a "string sign" in the IMA graft which was patent but narrowed at its distal segment. In 5 patients, large first intercostal branches were opacified. Intraarterial DSA with the retrograde brachial approach is not difficult, and is an excellent low risk method of evaluating the patency of IMA and saphenous vein grafts. DSA provided information about functional patency as well as anatomical patency of the IMA graft.     

乳内动脉-大隐静脉Y型复合桥血管的术中即时血流量测定及中期通畅率随访

目的 探讨乳内动脉(left mammary thoracic artery,LIMA)-大隐静脉(saphenous vein,SV)Y型复合桥血管的术中即时血流量以及术后中期通畅率。 方法 选择2013年1月到2015年12月24例在上海新华医院心胸外科接受非停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术(off-pump coronary artery bypass graft, OPCAB)的患者作为研究对象,均在术中应用Y型复合桥血管(LIMA-SV)。术中使用TTFM进行桥血管血流测定。出院后1年复查冠状动脉血管造影(CTA)评估桥血管通畅率。 结果 所有患者均接受OPCAB。平均吻合移植血管2.5 ±0.5支。术中无中转体外循环。住院期间无死亡患者。SV单根组和SV序贯组之间Y型复合桥血管主干(近端LIMA)的平均血流无明显差异(P>0.05)。两组之间远端LIMA(LIMA-LAD)平均血流也无明显差异(P>0.05)。而SV序贯组的SV主干的平均血流要高于SV单根组(24.6 ± 9.8 ml/min vs 19.2 ± 5.7 ml/min, P=0.056)。两组之间不同靶血管的PI值无明显差异。术后1年冠状动脉CTA显示,所有桥血管的总通畅率为96.7% (59/61)。其中LIMA桥的通畅率为100% (24/24),SV桥的通畅率为94.6% (35/37)。 结论 LIMA-SV Y型复合桥血管能够为SV和远端LIMA提供足够的血流,中期通畅率良好,对不能获取右乳内动脉或桡动脉且合并升主动脉钙化的患者是一种良好的替代方案。     

Routine intraoperative angiography improves the early patency of coronary grafts performed on the beating heart

OBJECTIVES: The techniques of performing coronary revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass are rapidly evolving. However, concern remains regarding the accuracy of coronary artery anastomoses performed on the beating heart. This report reviews the use of intraoperative angiography in the critical appraisal of "off-pump" coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. PATIENTS: Intraoperative angiography was performed in 24 consecutive patients undergoing CABG surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass. In all, 24 left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafts and 18 saphenous vein bypass grafts were assessed for patency, anastomosis quality, distal and proximal runoff, and correct placement. RESULTS: All of the saphenous vein-to-coronary artery anastomoses were widely patent, although two patients (8%) required revision of their LIMA grafts on the basis of angiographic findings. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative angiography permits the surgeon to immediately appraise the CABG and to revise, if necessary, any graft abnormality, thus potentially eliminating the need for early repeated surgery. The practice of routine intraoperative angiography is likely to improve the outcome of CABG surgery on the beating heart.     

Early postoperative occlusion of a left internal mammary artery bypass graft with subsequent restoration of patency.

Total occlusion of a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) bypass graft is a rare complication, and reversal of a documented occlusion has not been reported. This is a case of an early postoperative occlusion of a LIMA graft that was found to be patent 4 months later. A patient with three vessel disease (including a moderate lesion in the proximal left anterior descending artery and a severe lesion in its mid-portion) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with a LIMA to the mid-left anterior descending artery (LAD) and saphenous vein grafts to the right coronary and left circumflex arteries. Coronary angiography 3 months after surgery revealed a totally occluded internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts. The patient then underwent a successful angioplasty of the more distal lesion in the LAD. She subsequently returned with recurrent angina. Repeat coronary angiography revealed rapid progression of the disease in the proximal LAD with the more distal angioplasty site being widely patent. Selective arteriography of the internal mammary artery at that time revealed a patent vessel. Thus, the internal mammary graft is a physiologically active conduit that is dependent on flow dynamics. Competitive flow through the nonobstructive native LAD in combination with impedance of flow through the internal mammary artery due to a severe lesion in the LAD distal to the anastomosis led to a functionally occluded LIMA. When the obstruction in the proximal LAD progressed and the distal obstruction was successfully angioplastied, the flow dynamics in the internal mammary improved, allowing for its dilatation and restoration of patency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Can Late Supraclavicular Echo Doppler Reliably Predict Angiographical String Sign of Lima to Lad Area Grafts?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether supraclavicular ultrasonography of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending (LAD) area grafts can reliably predict (distal) string sign grafts on arteriography. METHODS: Fifty-five patients (42 M, 61 +/- 7 years) with the LIMA to LAD area grafting were prospectively studied. Control arteriography was performed at 1.4 +/- 0.8 years postoperatively. Angiography demonstrated in 46 patients (group I) functional grafts, in 4 patients (group II) sequential distal string sign grafts and in 5 patients (group III) total string sign grafts. Ultrasonography was performed at 1.8 +/- 0.8 year postoperatively and compared with control angiography. Data were tested by unpaired t- and ANOVA tests. The diagnostic accuracy was assessed by the area under the curve of the Receiver Operator Characteristic. A formula was developed to predict the probability of (distal) string sign phenomena of sequential as well as single LIMA grafts. RESULTS: Between the groups all duplex parameters showed a highly significant linear relation (p < or = 0.004) and all parameters between group I and III are significantly different with high Area Under Curve values. The model for the probability of (distal) string sign grafts fitted best with diastolic and systolic peak velocities as the most discriminative factors for (distal) string sign grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative supraclavicular duplex as a method to assess the patency of LIMA to LAD area grafts allows discriminating functional grafts from (distal) string sign grafts.     

Detection of patency of internal mammary artery grafts to the left anterior descending artery by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography

BACKGROUND: To determine whether a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is patent, we examined the flow of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven patients with CABG (LIMA to distal LAD) were enrolled in the study. The flows from each subject were analyzed by three criteria: mosaic flow at the anastomosis site, distal anterograde flow (ante flow), and proximal retrograde flow (retro flow). RESULTS: On angiography, 79 grafts were patent and eight were not. TTDE study of 79 patent grafts demonstrated mosaic, ante, and retro flow in 63 (79.7%), 74 (93.7%), and 35 grafts (49.4%), respectively. The averaged diastolic peak velocity of ante flow was 26.3 +/- 11.0 cm/sec, significantly higher than that (4.8 +/- 7.1 cm/sec, P < or = 0.0001) in eight patients without patent grafts. These eight patients had no mosaic or retro flow and only three had ante flow. The accuracies to predict patency were 81.6%, 90.8%, and 49.4% for mosaic, ante, and retro flows, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of mosaic, retro, or sufficient ante flows strongly indicated the patency of LIMA to the LAD. When symptoms are possible to be derived from the occlusion of CABG to LAD, TTDE is a promising method to examine whether a LIMA to LAD bypass is patent.     

Early postoperative occlusion of a left internal mammary artery bypass graft with subsequent restoration of patency

Total occlusion of a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) bypass graft is a rare complication, and reversal of a documented occlusion has not been reported. This is a case of an early postoperative occlusion of a LIMA graft that was found to be patent 4 months later. A patient with three vessel disease (including a moderate lesion in the proximal left anterior descending artery and a severe lesion in its mid-portion) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with a LIMA to the mid-left anterior descending artery (LAD) and saphenous vein grafts to the right coronary and left circumflex arteries. Coronary angiography 3 months after surgery revealed a totally occluded internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts. The patient then underwent a successful angioplasty of the more distal lesion in the LAD. She subsequently returned with recurrent angina. Repeat coronary angiography revealed rapid progression of the disease in the proximal LAD with the more distal angioplasty site being widely patent. Selective arteriography of the internal mammary artery at that time revealed a patent vessel. Thus, the internal mammary graft is a physiologically active conduit that is dependent on flow dynamics. Competitive flow through the nonobstructive native LAD in combination with impedance of flow through the internal mammary artery due to a severe lesion in the LAD distal to the anastomosis led to a functionally occluded LIMA. When the obstruction in the proximal LAD progressed and the distal obstruction was successfully angioplastied, the flow dynamics in the internal mammary improved, allowing for its dilatation and restoration of patency. Therefore, an angiographically occluded internal mammary graft may be only functionally occluded and reversible even when the occlusion is demonstrated several days apart.     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using a bilateral internal mammary artery Y graft

Objectives To evaluate the outcome of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) using a bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) Y configuration graft to achieve total arterial myocardial revascularization. Methods From October 2002 to December 2008, 208 patients (196 males and 12 females) underwent OPCABG using a BIMA Y configuration graft. The average age of the patients was 56.5 ± 11.3 years, with an age range of 33–78 years. A total of 167 (80.2%) cases had triple-vessel disease. Left main stem disease was found in 33 (15.9%) cases, and double-vessel disease was found in 8 (3.9%) cases. The semi-skeletonization technique was used to harvest the two internal mammary arteries (IMAs), and then the free right internal mammary artery was connected end-to-side to the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) in situ to complete the Y configuration graft. Off-pump and sequential anastomosis methods were used to perform coronary artery bypass surgery in all patients. Graft patency was assessed intra-operatively with the HT311 transit time flowmeter. Results A total of 728 distal anastomoses were performed in 208 patients, with the average being 3.5 ± 1.3 per person. No one died or experienced recurrent angina within 30 days after the operation. Conclusions OPCABG using the BIMA Y graft was safe and effective to achieve total arterial revascularization. This method avoids surgical operation on the ascending aorta and other incisions.     

Coronary artery revascularization using both ITAs as free conduits in patients with three-vessel disease--the lambda graft

BACKGROUND: There is little information on using internal thoracic arteries (ITA) as free conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting. This study examines the results using both ITAs as free grafts in a lambda configuration implanting the common trunk into the ascending aorta. METHODS: Over a 6-year period, 317 patients underwent coronary artery revascularization with both ITAs as free grafts in a lambda configuration. RESULTS: An average of 4.9 distal anastomoses per patient was performed. There were 4 deaths (three early and one late). The mean NYHA class improved from preoperatively 2.8 to 1.1 at the last check. All 16 patients with suspected recurrent angina or a pathologic exercise test were restudied by angiography. Segmental graft stenosis or occlusion was found in 13 (in only one at aortic anastomosis). Five patients underwent late PTCA, and two underwent coronary reoperation. The six-year actuarial survival was 98% (90 % CL+/- 2 %), intervention-free survival 96 % (90 % CL +/- 2 %). CONCLUSION: Revascularization using both ITAs as free grafts in a lambda configuration gives good early and mid-term results for up to 6 years. The aortic ITA anastomosis can be considered safe.     

Coronary revascularization surgery with arterial conduits. The technic, results and 4-year follow-up in 1023 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the present study was to analyze the in-hospital and mid term results obtained in 1,023 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in whom a combination of arterial grafts was used: radial arteries (RA) and one or both internal mammary arteries (IMA). METHODS: From May 1995 to May 1998, 1,023 consecutive patients underwent CABG alone, using arterial conduits (AC) (one or two IMA and RA) for myocardial revascularization. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was employed as an "in situ" graft, and the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) as a free graft or "in situ" both in combination with the RA. The latter was connected to the LIMA through a T or Y anastomosis, or emerged directly from the ascending portion of the aorta. RESULTS: An average of 3.2 bypasses per patient were performed. The LIMA was used in 100% of the patients. The RIMA was used in 21.7% and the RA in 100% of the cases. Operative mortality was 2.5% (26 patients) and 32 (3.1%) suffered perioperative acute myocardial infarction. The first 62 patients were angiographically re-studied before discharge, and a 98.4% patency of the AC used was found. Mean follow up time was 25.0 +/- 9.6 months (range, 1 to 48 months). CONCLUSIONS: a) myocardial revascularization procedures using a combination of mammary and RA grafts are safe; b) in-hospital and mid term morbidity and mortality are not higher than those observed with saphenous vein grafts; c) it is possible to achieve complete myocardial revascularization with only AC, even in patients with impaired left ventricular function, and d) AC can be used in elderly patients.     

微创经左胸小切口非体外循环单支、多支冠状动脉旁路移植术33例

目的 探讨左侧肋间小切口非体外循环单支、多支冠状动脉旁路移植术的安全性和可行性。方法 回顾性分析2014年5月~2019年10月左胸前外侧小切口非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术33例资料。单支病变17例,多支病变16例。左胸前外侧小切口6cm-10cm,直视下获取左乳内动脉(LIMA),完成LIMA-左前降支(LAD)吻合,升主动脉（Ao）-大隐静脉(SVG)序贯-对角支(D)或中间支（ICA）-钝缘支(OM)-后降支(PDA)或左室后支(PLV)共2~4支旁路移植血管吻合。结果 全组LIMA-LAD桥32例,Ao-SVG-LAD 1例。Ao-SVG-D 2例,Ao-SVG-OM 2例、Ao-SVG-OM-PDA 2例,Ao-SVG-ICA-PDA 3例,Ao-SVG-D-OM-PDA 4例,Ao-SVG-D-OM-PLV 3例。33例手术均顺利完成,围术期无死亡、心肌梗死、脑卒中、呼吸衰竭、肾功能衰竭、切口感染等并发症。术后呼吸机时间7h~18 h(9.14±3.82)h;ICU时间6h~20 h（12±8）h。术后住院5d~11d(8±3)d。出院时复查冠状动脉CT,33例均提示左乳内动脉桥、大隐静脉序贯桥通畅性良好。随访3个月~3年,平均8个月,无死亡、心绞痛和心肌梗死。30例复查冠状动脉, LIMA桥、SVG序贯桥通畅性良好。结论 左侧肋间小切口非体外循环下多支冠状动脉旁路移植术安全可行。     

Right coronary revascularization by coronary-coronary bypass with a segment of internal thoracic artery

In certain coronary artery bypass grafting operations, the internal thoracic artery is not by itself adequate for complete arterial revascularization. Which graft should be used for revascularization of the right coronary artery is still a matter of debate. From August 2000 through July 2005, we performed coronary-coronary bypass grafting on 48 patients (77.1% men, 22.9% women), whose mean age was 57.2 years (range, 40-75 yr). After completion of the internal thoracic artery anastomoses, we performed coronary-coronary bypass grafting with a remaining (distal) segment of the left (or, rarely, the full length of the free right) internal thoracic artery. The proximal and distal anastomoses of the internal thoracic artery to the right coronary artery were end-to-side. We preferred to use the right coronary ostium as the proximal anastomosis site where possible; otherwise, we used a disease-free segment of the right coronary artery. A total of 192 anastomoses were performed (mean, 4.15 per patient); all used the bilateral internal thoracic arteries as conduits. There were no in-hospital deaths or perioperative myocardial infarctions. The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 46 months (mean, 9.6 mo). Follow-up angiography was performed in 24 patients (50%). The mean time to coronary angiography was 16.5 months (range, 7 days-2 years). The patency rate was 100%. We conclude that coronary-coronary anastomosis by means of a distal segment of the internal thoracic artery can help to achieve complete arterial revascularization in selected patients.     

Comparison of sequential left internal thoracic artery grafting and separate left internal thoracic artery and venous grafting

Objectives

The superiority of left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafting to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is well established. Patency rates of 80%–90% have been reported at 10-year follow-up. However, the superiority of sequential LITA grafting has not been proven. Our aim was to compare patency rates after sequential LITA grafting to a diagonal branch and the LAD with patency rates of LITA grafting to the LAD and separate vein grafting to a diagonal branch.

Methods

A total of 58 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients, operated on between 01/2000 and 12/2002, underwent multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) between 2006 and 2008. Of these patients, 29 had undergone sequential LITA grafting to a diagonal branch and to the LAD (“Sequential” Group), while in 29 the LAD and a diagonal branch were separately grafted with LITA and vein (“Separate” Group). Patencies of all anastomoses were investigated.

Results

Mean follow-up was 1958±208 days. The patency rate of the LAD anastomosis was 100% in the Sequential Group and 93% in the Separate Group (p=0.04). The patency rate of the diagonal branch anastomosis was 100% in the Sequential Group and 89% in the Separate Group (p=0.04). Mean intraoperative flow on LITA graft was not different between groups (69±8ml/min in the Sequential Group and 68±9ml/min in the Separate Group, p=n.s.).

Conclusion

Patency rates of both the LAD and the diagonal branch anastomoses were higher after sequential arterial grafting compared with separate arterial and venous grafting at 5-year follow-up. This indicates that, with regard to the antero-lateral wall of the left ventricle, there is an advantage to sequential arterial grafting compared with separate arterial and venous grafting.     

非体外循环下“Y”型全动脉桥的冠状动脉旁路移植术

目的 :总结非体外循环下 (off pump)应用左侧乳内动脉与桡动脉“Y”型动脉桥 (Y arterialgraft)冠状动脉旁路移植术的临床经验。方法 :2 0 0 2年 9月至 2 0 0 4年 1月连续对 4 2例冠心病患者行非体外循环下“Y”型全动脉桥的冠状动脉旁路移植术 (YAG OPCABG)。男性 31例 ,女性 11例 ,年龄 (6 6 5±8 4 )岁。手术在全麻非体外循环心脏跳动下进行 ,所有患者均在第三肋间左心耳处行桡动脉与左侧乳内动脉 (LIMA)的“Y”型端侧吻合 ,LIMA与前降支 (LAD)吻合而桡动脉与对角支或钝缘支及后降支或左心室后侧支序贯吻合。应用瞬时血流测定仪测定血管内流量。结果 :全组无死亡 ,无围手术期心肌梗死。 1例后降支行再吻合 ,其余吻合口均通畅并有较好的流量及搏动指数。随访 2～ 17个月 ,生活质量好。结论 :YAG OPCABG具有创伤小 ,全动脉的优点 ,具有良好血流的LLMA并不能影响“Y”桥分支血流量 ,可取得良好的近期临床效果。     

Usefulness of flow reserve in the left internal mammary artery to determine graft patency to the left anterior descending coronary artery

Two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography (DE) and intravascular Doppler-tipped guidewire (flowire) have been used to measure flow in aortocoronary conduits at rest and during hyperemia, but they have not been compared. We investigated which flow velocity parameters obtained with these 2 different techniques can predict left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft patency. Twenty-nine patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting referred for evaluation of symptoms of coronary artery disease were studied after cardiac catheterization using the flowire and DE. Proximal LIMA graft flow velocity was measured at rest and during hyperemia produced by 140 microg/kg/min of intravenous adenosine infusion over 6 minutes with both methods. Normal LIMA grafts and left anterior descending artery (LAD) distal to the anastomosis were present in 16 patients, whereas 13 had >70% graft or native vessel stenosis. The coronary flow velocity reserve (r = 0.79) and the diastolic-to-systolic velocity ratio during hyperemia (r = 0.73) correlated very well between the 2 techniques. Among the variables obtained with the 2 techniques, the intragraft coronary flow velocity reserve measured by both methods was the only independent predictor of graft/recipient LAD patency. This variable had a sensitivity and specificity of 86% at a cutoff point of 2.07 with the flowire method and 83% at a cutoff point of 1.54 with DE. The areas below the receiver-operating characteristic curves were 0.91 and 0.93, respectively. Coronary flow velocity reserve measurements obtained with DE appears a reliable noninvasive method for assessing LIMA graft and/or LAD distal to the anastomosis patency in patients after bypass surgery and correlate very well with those directly obtained by intravascular Doppler.     

Takayasu's arteriopathy with associated occlusion of right coronary artery, brachiocephalic trunk and left subclavian artery and aortic regurgitation. Cardiovascular approach leading to a successful outcome - a case presentation

In a 37 year-old woman with Takayasu's arteriopathy angiography revealed occlusion of right coronary artery (RCA), brachiocephalic trunk and left carotid artery (LCA), as well as aortic regurgitation. She underwent a complex cardiovascular surgery consisting of aortic valve implantation, RCA grafting and implantation of vascular bifurcated graft anastomosed between ascending aorta and brachiocephalic trunk and LCA. The multi-slice computed tomography performed two weeks after the operation revealed preserved grafts patency.     

Assessment of the distal anastomosis of coronary artery bypass grafts with a 2D T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequence and correlation to conventional coronary angiography

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the patency of the distal anastomoses of coronary artery bypass grafts and to detect graft stenoses and occlusions with a magnetic resonance (MR) spin echo sequence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five patients with 481 distal anastomoses were examined with a 1.5 T MR scanner and coronary angiography. A 2-dimensional T2-weighted breath-hold half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo sequence (Haste) was performed. All images were evaluated independently by a radiologist and cardiologist and compared to the conventional coronary angiography. The observers were blinded to the coronary angiography findings, but informed in regard to the surgical graft anastomosis. RESULTS: With the Haste sequence, 76% of the distal anastomoses were recognized (368/481). Forty-five of 52 (87%) stenoses and all occlusions were identified. The sensitivity and specificity for the evaluation of the distal anastomosis with the spin echo sequence was 87% and 96%. Twenty-four percent of the distal anastomoses were not identified due to a poor image quality or motion artefacts. CONCLUSION: Using the Haste sequence, a reliable assessment of graft patency of the distal anastomosis is possible. Further improvements of the spatial resolution and the image quality are necessary to recommend this MR technique for routine clinical use.     

桡动脉在冠状动脉旁路移植术中的应用(附18例报告)

目的　总结以桡动脉为旁路移植物的冠状动脉旁路移植术中的桡动脉制备方法和早期结果。方法　对 18例患者以桡动脉行冠状动脉旁路移植术。术前以改良 Allen试验评判桡、尺动脉通畅性。术中上肢外展 90°,肘窝以远 3cm至腕关节线内 2 cm做弧形皮肤切口 ,将桡动脉连同伴行静脉和脂肪组织一并游离。分支以钛夹夹闭。严格避免夹镊桡动脉本身。离断后腔内注入肝素化罂粟碱 ,并置于该液中备用。共制取桡动脉 18根。远端吻合至后降支及钝缘支 ,近端均吻合至主动脉。术后常规应用钙阻滞剂 12个月。结果　术后患者心绞痛消失 ,心功能显著改善。无手臂缺血发生 ,未见围术期心肌梗死。结论　应用桡动脉行冠状动脉旁路移植术简便、安全 ,手术效果好。严格的“免触”制备技术和术后应用钙通道阻滞剂是保证桡动脉良好功能的关键     

Surgical strategies for severely atherosclerotic (porcelain) aorta during coronary artery bypass grafting

Porcelain aorta (PA) is an asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease, characterized by circumferential calcification throughout the whole perimeter of the aorta. It is seen in 2% to 9.3% of patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and makes manipulation of the ascending aorta impossible. It has been clearly shown that most emboli seen and detected during the CABG procedure occur during aortic cross-clamping and aortic side-clamping. Manipulation of porcelain or a severely atherosclerotic aorta increases the risk of perioperative stroke. The incidence of stroke after CABG is between 0.48% and 2.9%, and the risk is correlated with the extent and severity of the atherosclerotic disease. A conventional CABG procedure involves successive steps that include cannulation of the ascending aorta, application of a cross-clamp to the aorta, and partial clamping of the aorta to create the proximal anastomosis. Therefore in procedures that involve cannulation, clamping, or proximal anastomosis, and where aortic manipulation is inevitable, preassessment of the atherosclerotic aortic plaques is crucial. Although many surgeons still rely on intraoperative manual aortic palpation, this approach has very low sensitivity and underestimates the severity of the atherosclerotic illness. Imaging methods including preoperative computed tomography or intraoperative epiaortic ultrasonography enable modification of the surgical technique according to the severity of atherosclerosis. Various surgical techniques have been described to reduce the risk of atheroembolism that may lead to cerebrovascular events in patients with severely atherosclerotic ascending aorta. Anaortic or “no-touch” techniques that do not utilize aortic manipulation may significantly decrease the development of neurological complications by avoiding aortic maneuvers known to cause emboli. In cases where severe atherosclerotic disease or other factors preclude safe use of the ascending aorta, modifications in the surgical techniques, such as switching to different cannulation sites including the axillary/subclavian, femoral and innominate arteries, or using hypothermic ventricular fibrillation and in-situ pedicled arterial grafts, or performing proximal anastomoses at alternative anatomical locations will enable CABG operations to be performed safely with low morbidity and mortality rates in patients with porcelain aortas.     

Sequential radial artery for coronary artery bypass grafting: Five-year follow-up and evaluation with multi-detector row computed tomography

This study was undertaken to compare early postoperative results, programmed multi-detector row computed tomography coronary angiographic patency and midterm results of revascularization by sequential radial artery grafting with those of single radial artery grafting during a five-year period. Patients were grouped as those with sequential radial artery grafts (Group A, n = 27) and single radial artery grafts (Group B, n = 26). Multi-detector row computed tomography coronary angiography was scheduled at 1 and 5 years postoperatively. Each distal anastomosis was accepted as nonfunctional if a radial artery graft was occluded proximally or there was a critical stenosis. One sequential radial artery graft and two single radial artery grafts failed in the 1-year period (p > 0.05). In the 5-year period, three radial artery grafts failed in each group (p > 0.05). In Group A, there was no mortality in the five-year period, but in Group B, one patient died four years after the operation due to cardiac problems (p > 0.05). In addition to one death in Group B, there were three percutaneous interventions and two myocardial infarctions among the 26 patients during the five-year follow-up. In group A, among 27 patients, there were 4 percutaneous interventions and one myocardial infarction (p > 0.05). Although the sample size is relatively small to be conclusive, these data suggest that sequential radial artery grafting may be considered as a method of choice for maximizing arterial graft survival and patency. Noninvasive control of sequential and single radial artery grafts with multi-detector row computed tomography is feasible with no discomfort for the patient and excellent visualization of grafts.