Role of radial artery in total arterial myocardial revascularization in coronary bypass surgery

Background Total arterial revascularization （TAR） was widely utilized in coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） as a result of its better long-term effect compared with vein grafts. Of the arterial conduits, radial artery （RA） gained popularity for its easy availability and reported long-term patency. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of RA in TAR in CABG.
Methods From January 2000 to December 2006, 85 patients （56 male and 29 female） at a mean age of 57.0 ± 5.2 years, underwent TAR in CABG. RA and left internal mammary artery （LIMA） with composite Y or T and sequential grafting techniques were used. Post-operative complications were recorded and follow-up was performed.
Results Eighty-five LIMA and 149 RA grafts including 21 single and 64 bilateral RA were collected. A total of 87 distal anastomoses were done with the LIMA and another 152 were done with the RA, with the mean number of distal anastomosis per patient of 2.81 ± 0.47. The proximal RA ends were anastomsed directly to the aorta in 140 grafts with Y or T graft off in situ LIMA in 9, Y or T graft off RA in 9. The distal end was anastomsed to right coronary artery system in 92 to obtuse margina in 46, to diagonal in 19 and to ramous intermedius in 5. Nine sequential anastomoses were performed with RA. Nine composite Y or T grafts were constructed with RA and LIMA while another 9 were constructed with RA and RA. One （1.2%） patient died, 3 patients （3.5%） experienced acute renal failure and 2 （2.4%） developed stroke. All patients were still alive and no patient had evidences of newly occurred myocardial infarction or angina after a mean follow-up of 36.5 ＋ 4.1 months （6-67 months）. Postoperatively at 6 month, mean left ventricular ejective fraction was increased to 0.49 ±0.09, compared with that of 0.43 ± 0.11 preoperatively （P=-0.027）. Postoperative mean New York Heart Association class was 2.5±0.5, compared with that of 3.0±0.4 preoperatively （P=-0.003）.
Conclusions T     

Coronary bypass revascularization with radial artery and internal mammary artery grafts

Objective To evaluate radial artery (RA) and internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts in coron ary artery bypass and the use of color Doppler ultrasound in the peri- operative evaluation of IMA and radial- ulnar collateral circulation. Methods From June 1998 to June 2000, sixty cases of coronary bypass revascularization wi th RA and IMA were performed. Preoperatively, the radial- ulnar collateral circ ulation was evaluated with the modified Allen’s test, color Doppler ultrasound a nd noninvasive oxygen saturation measurement. The IMA lumen and blood flow were measured at the first intercostal space with color Doppler ultrasound preoperat ively and postoperatively. Results One patient (1. 7%) died of serious cardiac arrhythmia on the fourth postoperati ve day. There were no arterial graft harvest related complications. Before har vesting, the ulnar artery blood flow was 30. 78±9. 71 ml/min, and it increased to 43. 36±13. 98 ml/min (40. 87% increase, P<0. 01) after the operation. Compared with the baseline, there was no obvious change of IMA blood flow posto peratively (P>0. 05), but the systolic/diastolic flow ratio markedly dec reased from 8. 57±3. 98 ml/min to 3. 41±4. 87 ml/min (P<0. 01). Conclusions Arterial grafts can be safely used for coronary bypass revascularization with go od results. The ulnar artery blood flow can increase compensatively after RA ha rvesting. The diastolic blood flow of grafted IMA markedly increased postoperat ively. Color Doppler ultrasound was very helpful both in evaluating the radial - ulnar collateral circulation before RA harvesting and in assessing the patency of the grafted IMA after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).     

Safety and efficacy of transulnar approach for coronary angiography and intervention

Background Transradial approach, which is now widely used in coronary angiography and intervention, may be advantageous with respect to the femoral access due to the lower incidence of vascular complications. Transulnar approach has been proposed for elective procedures in patients not suitable for transradial approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transulnar approach versus the transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention. Methods Two hundred and forty patients undergoing coronary angiography, followed or not by intervention, were randomized to transulnar （TUA） or transradial approach （TRA）. Doppler ultrasound assessments of the forearm vessels were scheduled for all patients before procedures, 1 day and 30 days after procedures. The primary end point was access site vascular complications during hospitalization and 30 days follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events （MACE） as secondary end point was recorded till 30 days follow-up. Results Successful puncture was achieved in 98.3% （118/120） of patients in the TUA group, and in 100% （120/120） of patients in the TRA group. Coronary angiographies were performed in 40 and 39 patients in TUA and TRA group. Intervention procedures were performed in 78 and 83 patients in TUA and TRA group, respectively. The incidence of artery stenosis 1 day and 30 days after procedures was 11.0% vs.12.3% and 5.1% vs. 6.6% in TUA and TRA group, respectively. Asymptomatic access site artery occlusion occurred in 5.1% vs.1.7% of patients 1 day and 30 days after transulnar angioplasty, and in 6.6% vs. 4.9% of patients 1 day and 30 days after transradial angioplasty. Minor bleeding was still observed at the moment of the ultrasound assessment in 5.9% and 5.7% of patients in TUA and TRA group, respectively （P=0.949）. No big forearm hematoma, and A-V fistula were observed in both groups. Freedom from MACE at 30 days follow-up was observed in all patients. Conclusions The transulnar approach is as safe and effective as the transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention. It is an attractive opinion for experienced operators who are skilled in this technique, particularly in cases of anatomic variations of the radial artery, radial artery small-caliber or thin radial pulse.     

MR IMAGING OF CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT： A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Objective. To make a preliminary investigation of the patency and function of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) by magnetic resonance(MR) images and to establish a suitable method for follow-up study after CABG operation among Chinese. Methods. MR imaging was performed with a Toshiba 1.5-T unit in 27 patients with 74 grafts. All patients were examined with a breath-hold ECG-gated two-dimensional fast field echo (FFE) sequence to evaluate the patency of bypass grafts, among them 16 patients with 42 grafts were further examined with a phase shift magnetic resonance angiography flow (PSMRAflow) sequence to evaluate the grafts patency as well as the flow velocity and flow volume vs.time. Results. The results showed that 66 of the 74 grafts in the patients of the present series studied with FFE were patent with a patency rate of 89.2%. The results evaluated both with FFE and PSMRAflow remained the same except that two grafts were patent with FFE and the results with PSMRAflow were uncertain. Diastolic perfusion pattern curves were found in 25 of the 32 grafts in patients of the present series. Comparing the flow curves of the grafted left internal manmmry artery with those of the native right internal mammary artery in 7 patients, the systolic peak velocity value (SPV) of the grafted arteries was significantly lower than that of the ungrafted ones, whereas the diastolic peak velocity value(DPV) and the ratio of DPV to SPV were significantly greater than that of the ungrafed ones. Conclusion. The FFE and PSMRAflow sequences were efficient in evaluating patency and obtaining the curves of flow velocity and volume of the bypass grafts. Therefore, they may offer a non-invasive screening method for follow-up study in patients after CABG surgery, although its accuracy should be further evaluated in more patients and comparatively studied with other methods.     

Clinical study of arterial anatomic variations for transradial coronary procedure in Chinese population

Background The radial artery is currently regarded as a useful approach for coronary intervention procedures. Adequate anatomical information of the radial artery should be helpful in performing transradial coronary procedures. Few data about the Chinese population have been obtained in this field. Therefore, we tried to evaluate the incidence and clinical significance of anomalous patterns, and their influence on the intervention procedure. Methods In an estimated sample of 3000 cases, radial artery and subclavical artery angiography were performed after insertion of the sheath and coronary angiography （CA）. The evaluable data including branch anomaly, tortuosity of the radial artery and procedural characteristics were analyzed. The procedure success was defined as CA or percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） completed with the initial radial artery approach without changing to other routes. Results In this study, 1897 cases of CA was undertaken and 1103 cases of CA combined with PCI were performed. The success rate of transradial intervention （TRI） was 96.6% （2899/3000）. The approach in 44 cases was changed to the contralateral radial artery and 57 cases were changed to the brachial artery or femoral artery due to failure with the initial radial artery approach. The angiography of the upper limb artery was performed in all cases. Anatomic variations of upper limb arteries were noted in 610 patients （20.3%）, which included tortuous configurations of the radial artery （5.0%）, hypoplasias （2.2%）, radioulnar loop （1.1%）, abnormal origin of the radial artery （7.7%）, stenosis of radial artery （1.4%）, a tortuous configuration of the brachial artery （0.9%）, a tortuous configurations of the subclavian artery （1.9%）, lusoria subclavian artery （0.1%）, and subclavian artery occlusion （0.03%）. The procedural success rate in the normal population was higher than in the variation group （97.6% vs 93.0%, P 〈0.001）. In addition, other procedural outcomes and incidence of complications except radial artery occlusion were also significantly superior to variation group. Conclusions Anatomic variations of the radial artery were common, making up an important limitation in the trans- radial approach. Selection of appropriate instruments and understanding some tips and tricks were helpful to overcome the obstacles and effectively reduce the learning curve.     

Surgical outcome and clinical follow-up in patients with symptomatic myocardial bridging

Background Myocardial bridging with systolic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) may be associated with myocardial ischaemia. The clinical outcome in patients with surgical treatment for symptomatic myocardial bridging remains undetermined. This study assessed the middle- and long-term results of surgical treatment for symptomatic myocardial bridging. Methods From 1997 to 2006, 37 463 patients received selective coronary angiography in the Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital, Beijing, China. Of these, 484 patients had angiographic diagnosis of myocardial bridging. Of the 484 patients, 35 underwent surgery for treatment of myocardial bridging with significant systolic arterial compression. Among the surgical treatment patients, 24 presented with other cardiac disorders, and the remaining 11 symptomatic patients with isolated myocardial bridging were included in the follow-up study. Results The angiographic prevalence of myocardial bridging was 1.3% in this study. The coronary angiographies of the 11 patients revealed myocardial bridging in the middle segment of LAD causing systolic compression ≥75% (ranging from 75% to 90%). The mean age of patients was 48.4 years. Surgical myotomy was performed in 3 patients and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 8 patients. Eight patients were operated on with an off-pump approach and 3 with a cardiopulmonary bypass technique after median sternotomy. Conversion to on-pump CABG surgery was necessary in 1 patient because of perforation of the right ventricle. The left internal mammary artery was used in all patients with CABG. The acute clinical success rate was 100% with respect to the absence of myocardial infarction, death or other major in-hospital complications. All of the patients were followed up clinically. The median follow-up was 35.3 months (range: 6 to 120 months). Nine patients were free from symptoms and one of them continued taking beta blockers. The remaining 2 patients with myotomy had atypical chest pain. One received coronary angiography again and no stenosis was found two years after operation; while exercise testing was performed in the other patient and revealed no evidence of myocardial ischaemia. None of the patients sustained a myocardial infarction or other major adverse cardiac events (death or vessel revascularization) during follow-up.Conclusions Myocardial bridging is a relatively common angiographic finding. Surgical myotomy or CABG should be limited to patients who are refractory to oral medication. Surgical relief of myocardial ischaemia due to systolic compression of intramyocardial coronary arteries can be accomplished with low operative risk and excellent middle- and long-term results.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting for Kawasaki disease

Background Kawasaki disease （KD） is the leading cause of pediatric ischemic heart disease. The incidence of serious coronary sequelae is low and about 2%-3% of patients with KD, but once myocardial infarction occurs in children, the mortality is quite high and 22% at the first infarction.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） in patients with KD. Methods Eight patients with a history of KD underwent CABG between October 1997 and July 2005. The number of bypass grafts placed was 2 to 4 per patient （mean 2.5±0.8）. Various bypass grafts were used in patients, i.e. the left internal mammary artery （LIMA） in 3 patients, bilateral internal mammary artery （IMA） in 2 patients, LIMA plus gastroepiploic artery （GEA） in 1 patient and total saphenous vein grafts （SVGs） in 2 patients. The combined procedures included ventricular aneurysmectomy in 1 patient, mitral valve plasty in 1 and right coronary aneurysmectomy in 1. One patient was not able to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass （CPB）, after being supported with intra-aortic balloon pump （IABP）, the patient was weaned from CPB successfully. Results One patient died of low cardiac output syndrome and acute renal failure 19 days after operation. Other patients recovered and were discharged uneventfully. During the follow-up that ranged from 3 to 57 months （mean 27 months）, clincal angina disappeared or improved. Cardiac function was in Class I-II （NYHA）.Conclusion CABG is a safe and effective procedure for Kawasaki coronary artery disease. However long-term results need to be followed up.     

Preliminary results of combined carotid endarterectomy and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases

Background Coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases are common and patients with them remain at a high risk for perioperative stroke or myocardial infarction after coronary bypass surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined carotid endarterectomy （CEA） and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） in patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases. Methods Between January 2002 and December 2007, consecutive patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases underwent one-stage unilateral CEA and off-pump CABG in Heart Institute of Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. Perioperative complications were assessed and follow-up was carried out. Results A total of 51 cases of isolated off-pump CABG and unilateral CEA, including 34 right and 17 left, were performed. The mean blocked time of carotid artery in CEA was （25.5_±7.0） minutes. The mean number of distal grafts per patient was 3.30±0.45. The mean ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, and postoperative hospital stay was （11.3±5.4） hours, （2.1±0.9） days, and （12.5±6.1） days respectively. None of the patients had stroke or myocardial infarct. There was one perioperative death due to acute cardiac failure, resulting in an operative mortality of 1.96%. Follow-up was completed for 47 patients （92.16%） with a mean follow-up of （39.5±12.5） months. None of the patients manifested stroke, new angina or newly developed cardiac infarct. No late death occurred. Conclusion Combined CEA and off-pump CABG is a safe and effective procedure in selected patients with coexistent carotid and coronary artery diseases.     

Sixty-four-multi-detector computed tomography diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies in 66 patients

Background The abnormalities of coronary arteries, though rare and sometimes benign, may first present clinically as myocardial infarction or sudden death. Multi-detector computed tomography （MDCT） is a non-invasive test that is highly suitable for detecting these anomalies. The study aimed to review the 64-MDCT appearance of the coronary artery anomalies in 66 patients and to discuss the clinical importance of these anomalies.Methods In 6014 consecutive patients examined over 12 months by 64-MDCT for the study of coronary artery disease, 66 were diagnosed for coronary artery anomalies. All patients were symptomatic for one or more of the following diseases： chest pain, dyspnoea, palpitations, arrhythmia and myocardial infarction. Nine patients had undergone a coronary angiography. All the CT images were evaluated by two radiologists and one cardiologist. The right coronary artery （RCA） and the conus branch arising separately, myocardial bridging and duplication of arteries were not analysed in our study.Results The incidence of coronary artery anomalies found in our study group was 1.097%. In the selected patients, seven different types of coronary anomalies were found by 64-MDCT examination. The high takeoff, origin of the coronary artery from the opposite or noncoronary sinus with an anomalous course, and coronary artery fistula were the three common forms of anomalies （n=16, 18 and 16, respectively）. Compared with the results of the coronary angiography, the number of the drainage sites of two coronary artery fistula was less in MDCT images （3 small sites in total）. In all cases, coronary artery computed tomography angiography （CTA） technique was able to recognize the origin of the coronary artery, its three-dimensional course and its spatial relationship with the adjacent structures. Conventional coronary angiography in two cases, however, was unable to provide sufficient information for correct and complete diagnosis.Conclusions In conclusion, the study showed that 64-MDCT, especially the volume rendering technique （VRT）, may be useful for the assessment of complex variations, even if the conventional angiography may not be sufficient. It may be considered as the first-choice imaging modality when an anomalous coronary artery is suspected.     

Assessment of culprit lesions by intravascular ultrasound in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background Intravascular ultrasound has become the standard invasive method for diagnosing coronary artery disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of intravascular ultrasound for assessment of culprit lesion morphology during primary percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in patients with acute myocardial infarction （AMI）.
Methods We performed 18 intravascular ultrasound assessments preintervention during the primary PCi for AMI. intravascular ultrasound analysis included qualitative and quantitative measurements of reference and lesion external elastic membrane （EEM）, lumen, and plaque plus media （P＆M） area. Positive remodeling was defined as lesion/mean reference EEM 〉1.0. Culprit lesions were identified by a combination of electrocardiogram （ECG） and coronary angiography.
Results There was an average of- 1.44 infarct-related artery （IRA） plaques per patient. The incidences of thrombus and plaque ruptures were 28% （5） and 33% （6）, respectively. Hypoechoic plaque was observed in 72% （13） of AMI patients. Calcified lesions could be found in 33% （6） of culprit lesions. Sixty percent of the culprit lesion sites presented with positive remodeling.
Conclusions Intravascular ultrasound is a safe and feasible imaging modality in patients with AMI and can help identify plaque rupture, intracoronary thrombus or calcification. The culprit lesion site in AMI cases often presents with positive remodeling.     

Surgical treatment of anomalous origin of coronary artery from the pulmonary artery

Background Anomalous origin of coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare congenital cardiac malformation with a mortality rate of up to 90% within the first year of life without surgical intervention. Direct implantation of the anomalous coronary artery （ACA） into the aorta is successful in early life, but it may have increased surgical difficulty and risk with age. This retrospective study summarized our operative experience in direct implantation for treatment of this coronary anomaly in pediatric and adult patients.
Methods From August 2000 to January 2003, 4 consecutive patients aged from 9 months to 41 years underwent dual coronary repair. Among them, two children and one infant with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery （ALCAPA） and one adult was anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery （ARCAPA）. Coronary arteries were directly implanted into the ascending aorta in 4 patients. In a boy with ALCAPA associated with moderate mitral insufficiency （MI）, whose ACA arose remotely from the ascending aorta, we created a tube-shaped graft using part of the pulmonary arterial wall in continuity with the origin of the left coronary artery （LCA）. Concomitant moderate MI was repaired in 2 patients, including this boy, after a dual-coronary repair.
Results All patients survived. There were no hospital or late deaths and no major complications as well. Echocardiography revealed that the left ventricular （LV） function including LV end-diastolic dimension （EDD） and ejection fraction （EF） was markedly improved at hospital discharge. At 3-6 years follow-up after surgery all patients were asymptomatic and currently in NYHA class 1.
Conclusions The best results are achieved with direct implantation of the ACA into the ascending aorta and simultaneous mitral valve repair if needed. Direct implantation is feasible in pediatric and adult patients with ALCAPA or ARCAPA including the coronary artery in a location remote from th     

INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGING OF ANGIOGRAPHICALLY "SILENT" LEFT MAIN CORONARY ARTERY ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) atherosclerosis have a poor prognosis compared with lesions in the other coronaries. Because of the methodological problems. LMCA atherosclerotic lesions are not frequently detected by coronary angiography. The purpose of the study was to reveal the existence of LMCA disease in patients with normal coronary arteries by using intravascular ultrasound imaging. Ninety-seven patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries were examined with a 3.5 F or 4.8 F. 20 MHz intravascular ultrasound catheter. The vessel, lumen and plaque areas were determined and percent area and diameter stenosis were calculated. Plaque formation with or without calcific deposits identified by ultrasound accoustic shadowing were regarded as signs of atherosclerosis.     

Total Arterial Revascularisation in Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Despite the excellent results achievable withcoronary artery bypass operations using a singlein-ternal mammary artery(I MA)graft to the left an-terior descending coronary artery(LAD)and addi-tional saphenous vein grafts,the long-term paten-cy of vein grafts in the coronary artery circulationhas beenless than that of arterial grafts.Choosingthe conduit with the highest early and long-termpatency for all of the diseased coronary arteries isone way to i mprove outcomes of coronary arterybypass …     

Identification of syndrome X using intravascular ultrasound imaging and Doppler flow mapping

Background The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological changes and physiological function of coronary arteries in patients presenting with chest pain but having normal coronary angiograms, using intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) and intracoronary Doppler (ICD) flow measurements, in order to elucidate the mechanism of syndrome X. Methods A total of 126 patients ［67 males, 59 females, mean age (53.1±13.0) years］ who experienced chest pain but had normal coronary angiograms were included in this study. ICD flow measurements of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were performed using a Cardiometrics FloMap Ⅱ system. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) was defined as the ratio of the average peak velocity during hyperemia to that at baseline, induced by an intracoronary bolus injection of 18 μg adenosine. A 3.2F or 2.9F 30 MHz mechanical rotating ultrasound catheter (CVIS, Boston Scientific) or a 3.0F 20MHz electronic ultrasound catheter (Endosonics) was used for IVUS. Results The mean CFVR value of the LAD was 2.71±0.74. Reduction of CFVR (<3.0) was found in 82 of 126 (65.1%) patients. IVUS images of the LAD were available for 109 patients. Plaque formation was detected in 76/109 (69.7%) patients. Based on the presence or absence of plaque formation as well as the reduction or non-reduction of CFVR, patients were divided into four groups: Group Ⅰ (n=10), normal IVUS findings and normal CFVR; Group Ⅱ (n=23), normal IVUS findings with reduction in CFVR; Group Ⅲ (n=29), IVUS evidence of plaque formation but normal CFVR; and Group Ⅳ (n=47), IVUS evidence of plaque formation with reduction in CFVR. Conclusion This study shows the important clinical value of a combination of IVUS and ICD in diagnosing patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries. Only 10% of patients studied (Group Ⅰ) were found to be truly free of coronary disease, while 20% of patients (Group Ⅱ) would be diagnosed as suffering from syndrome X.     

Diagnostic value of dual-source CT in Kawasaki disease

Background Doppler color echocardiography is a common method for detecting coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease（KD）.However,the diagnostic accuracy for the whole coronary artery lesions is limited.The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of dual-source computed tomography （DSCT） and Doppler color echocardiography for the assessment of coronary artery lesions caused by KD.Methods Sixteen patients,12 with typical KD and 4 with atypical KD,underwent DSCT and Doppler color echocardiography.The position and internal diameter of each coronary artery lesion was measured.Correlation analysis was used to compare the diagnostic value of the two imaging modalities.Results ln the typical KD group, seven patients did not have any coronary artery Iesion as confirmed by both DSCT scans and Doppler color echocardiography;in four patients proximal coronary artery injuries were identified by both modalities;in one patient an aneurysm in the middle and distal segments of the coronary artery was detected by DSCT but was negative in Doppler color echocardiography.In the atypical KD group,three cases showed the same results with both modalities,while one case with coronary artery stenosis in the middle segment was identified by DSCT but not detected by Doppler color echocardiography.There was a good correlation between the two imaging modalities（Kappa value,0.768（≥0.75））.Conclusion DSCT coronary artery angiography is an accurate,non-invasive,and valuable technique for detecting and following up coronary artery lesions in patients with KD.     

Incidence of coronary artery disease before valvular surgery in isolated severe aortic stenosis

Background Angina pectoris has been recognized as one of the principal symptoms of aortic valve stenosis （AS）,even in patients without significant coronary artery disease （CAD）.However,the incidence of angina pectoris and related CAD in such patients is controversial.There is continuing debate as to whether coronary angiography is necessary before aortic valve replacement （AVR） in patients with severe AS.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictors of CAD in patients with severe AS in a Korean population.Methods Data from all consecutive patients with severe AS undergoing AVR at a major tertiary cardiac and vascular center in Korea were entered in a prospective registry beginning in 1995.Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up data were recorded into the database annually.Significant CAD was defined as one or more major coronary arteries having an estimated narrowing of ≥70％ and left main coronary arteries having an estimated narrowing of ≥50％ on coronary angiography.We excluded patients with multiple valve disease,significant aortic regurgitation,or prior CAD or valve surgery.Results Totally 574 patients with severe AS （mean age,（65.9±9.6） years） were enrolled in this study.Significant CAD was found in 61 patients （10.6％）.Factors associated with increased likelihood of CAD were age,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,chronic renal failure,carotid disease,and aorta calcification.In Logistic regression analysis,the independent predictor of the presence of CAD was age （P=0.011）.The incidence of CAD increased significantly at 69.2 years of age.Having two risk factors for cardiovascular disease was the most useful cutoff to predict whether a patient was going to have significant CAD.Conclusions There was a low incidence of significant CAD in a population of Korean patients with severe AS.Therefore,coronary angiography before AVR will be considered in patients with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease or in patients more than 69 years of age with     

Association between inflammatory mediators and angiographic morphologic features indicating thrombus formation in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background Inflammatory mechanisms had played an important role in the occurrence and prognosis of acute myocardial infarction, inflammatory mediators was associated with adverse outcomes of acute myocardial infarction. This study tested the hypothesis that in the acute phase of myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation, neutrophil count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are predictive of angiographic morphologic features that indicate thrombus formation in the infarct-related artery. Methods This retrospective study included 182 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction and ST-segment elevation. Patients were assigned to a thrombus-formation group （n=77） and a non-thrombus-formation group （n=-106）. All patients had a Killip＇s classification 〈3 and onset 〈12 hours prior to presentation. All the cases were going to undergo coronary angiography, including primary percutaneous coronary intervention, simple coronary angiography, or thrombolysis in a coronary artery （or arteries） or coronary artery bypass graft（s）. Blood samples for measurement of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and for routine blood laboratory studies were collected prior to coronary angiography. Results The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, total leukocyte counts, neutrophil counts, and neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratios were substantially higher in the thrombus-formation group than in the non-thrombus-formation group patients （for each, P 〈0.05）. Stepwise Logistic regression analyses identified high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, neutrophil count, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio as independent predictors of thrombus formation in the infarct-related artery （for each, P 〈0.05）. Conclusions In patients with acute myocardial infarction levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are predictors to higher neutrophil counts, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and ndicate thrombus formation     

Transradial approach for coronary angioplasty in Chinese elderly patients

Background The radial artery is currently regarded as a useful vascular access site for coronary procedures. This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and safety of the percutaneous radial artery approach for angioplasty in the elderly.
Methods Two thousand and fifty-eight consecutive patients （762 elderly, age ≥65 years; and 1296 non-elderly, age 〈65 years, respectively） who underwent transradial coronary angioplasty were recruited in this study. Study endpoints included procedure success rate, procedure time, vascular complications at access site, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events during hospitalization.
Results Elderly patients were more likely to present with unstable angina and renal dysfunction. The incidence of radial and brachiocephalic trunk anatomical tortuosity was higher in elderly patients than that in non-elderly patients （11.5% vs 3.7%; 8.9% vs 2.6%, P 〈0.01, respectively）. However, procedural success rate （94.7% vs 95.6%） and total mean procedure time （（67.9±27.3） minutes vs （58.6±38.5） minutes） for transradial coronary angioplasty were not significantly different between the two groups. Clinical course during the hospitalization was slightly worse in the elderly patients because of more adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after the procedure. However, the incidence of vascular complications was not significantly different between the elderly and non-elderly patients.
Conclusion Although the incidence of radial and brachiocephalic trunk anatomical tortuosity is higher in elderly patients, transradial coronary intervention can be performed with similar safety and procedural success in these patients as compared with non-elderly patients.     

Comparative study of on-pump and off-pump coronary bypass surgery in patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease

Background Studies on selected patients undergoing off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery have produced inconsistent results, especially in patients with multiple coronary artery disease. This study compared the clinical results of on-pump and off-pump coronary bypass surgery in patients with triple-vessel disease.Methods A total of 300 consecutive isolated, multiple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients were assigned to the off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB, n=150) or CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass (CCABG, n=150) groups. There were no significant differences regarding degree of angina, history of myocardial infarction or diabetes, and presence of left main coronary artery disease between the two groups. Ejection fraction in the OPCAB group before surgery was lower than in the CCABG group (P<0.01). In addition, more patients had a history of stroke and abnormal renal function preoperatively in the OPCAB group（P< 0.01）. In OPCAB patients, single deep pericardial stay suture with a sling snared down was used to expose the target vessels, along with a stabilizer and a coronary shunt. A Medi-Stim Butterfly Flowmeter was used to measure blood flow through grafts in both groups.Results No OPCAB patient was converted to the CCABG group. The average numbers of distal anastomoses and the indexes of completeness of revascularization (ICR) were similar in both groups. Postoperative respiratory support time and the volumes of chest tube drainage and of blood transfusions were less in the OPCAB group than in the CCABG group (both P<0.01). The postoperative incidences of pulmonary dysfunction and renal insufficiency were lower in the OPCAB group than in the CCABG group （both P<0.05）. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mortality and other causes of morbidity (periopetative myocardial infarction, stroke, atrial fibrillation). Conclusions OPCAB can be applied to patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease and can achieve similar completeness of revascularization and similar early surgical results, with shorter respiratory support, reduced transfusion requirement, and fewer cases of pulmonary dysfunction and abnormal renal function.     

Safety and feasibility of transulnar versus transradial artery approach for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients

Background Transradial approach catheterization is now widely used in coronary angiography and angioplasty.The ulnar artery,which is one of the two terminal branches of the brachial artery,may be a potential approach for cardiac catheterization.The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a transulnar approach for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients.Methods A total of 535 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to transulnar approach （TUA） group （n=271） or transradial approach （TRA） group （n=264） upon arrival at the catheterization laboratory.Allen＇s test and inverse Allen＇s test were not routinely performed.Ultrasound-Doppler assessment of the forearm artery was performed before the procedure,two days after the procedure,and 30 days after the procedure.The primary endpoints of study were the rate of successful artery cannulation and the access-site related complications.The secondary endpoints included the number of needle punctures,total time for the procedure,and major adverse cardiac events （MACE）.Results Successful puncture of the objective artery was obtained in 91.5％ of the patients in the TUA group,and 95.1％ of the patients in the TRA group （P ＞0.05）.There was no significant difference in hematoma complications between the two groups （7.7％ vs.4.2％,P=0.100）.A motor abnormality of the hand was observed in one patient in the TUA group.There were no arteriovenous fistula or pseudoaneurysm observed in our study.Three （1.1％） patients in the TUA group and 8 （3.0％） patients in the TRA group had occlusion of the access artery （P=0.137）,but none of the patients had symptoms or signs of hand ischemia.There were no significant differences in MACE between the two groups during follow-up.Conclusion The transulnar approach is an effective and safe technique for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients.