Aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass in a patient with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare defect of lipid metabolism characterized by markedly elevated levels of serum total cholesterol. The patients develop premature atherosclerosis and aortic stenosis. Surgical management is complicated by the dense calcification of the ascending aorta and the small aortic root. We present our experience with the management of such a patient with coronary artery disease and aortic valvular and supra-valvular stenosis. She underwent coronary bypass and aortic valve replacement with a root enlargement. The calcified and atheromatous ascending aorta resulted in her developing a stroke. The few reported cases are reviewed to suggest techniques to prevent this lethal complication.     

Atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta and coronary artery bypass. Pathology, clinical correlates, and operative management.

Analysis of 1735 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from January 1981 through December 1988 revealed 152 (8.8%) patients with mild (4.5%), moderate (2.2%), or severe (2.0%) atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta. Three distinct pathologic patterns were found. The prevalence of stroke in patients with the severe type of aortic disease prompted development of a new operative technique that has been used in 16 patients. It involves a "no-touch" technique of the ascending aorta whereupon the proximal saphenous vein anastomoses are performed end to side to internal mammary artery grafts. Ages ranged from 49 to 80 years (mean 68.9). The 16 patients had 62 distal artery and vein anastomoses and 26 proximal saphenous vein-internal mammary end-to-side anastomoses. Internal mammary artery free flows ranged from 130 to 420 ml/min. Two hospital deaths were unrelated to the technique. There have been no strokes or recurrences of angina. An inordinately high incidence of main left coronary disease (50%), significant carotid disease (79%), and abdominal aortic occlusive or aneurysm disease (93%) was discovered. Ascending aortic atherosclerosis must be suspected in all coronary bypass patients with associated significant carotid, abdominal aortic, and main left coronary artery disease, aortic wall irregularity on ascending aortic angiography, adhesions between the ascending aorta and its adventitia, pale appearance of the ascending aorta, and minimal bleeding of an aortic cannulation stab wound. A "no-touch" technique that avoids any manipulation of the ascending aorta and that uses the internal mammary arteries as the sole source of blood supply for coronary bypass is an effective method to prevent aortic clamp injury, "trash heart," or stroke from severe ascending aortic disease. Preoperative angiographic visualization of the ascending aorta of all patients undergoing coronary artery bypass is mandatory.     

Carotid and aortic screening for coronary artery bypass grafting

Background. To identify risk factors for preexisting carotid and aortic disease in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), preoperative parameters were analyzed.

Methods. Three-hundred eight consecutive patients undergoing elective isolated CABG were investigated through preoperative duplex scanning of the carotid artery, computed tomography of the chest, and intraoperative ultrasonography of the ascending aorta.

Results. Prevalence of carotid stenosis and ascending aortic atherosclerosis was 14.3% (44 of 308) and 30.2% (93 of 308), respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that significant independent risk factors for carotid stenosis were atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta (p = 0.028, odds ratio [OR] = 2.16), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.008, OR = 4.08), and history of stroke (p = 0.0004, OR = 3.73). Significant independent risk factors for ascending aortic atherosclerosis were peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.029, OR = 3.05), age older than 60 years (p = 0.009, OR = 2.94), and carotid stenosis (p = 0.018, OR = 2.27). Modifications on the operative procedure for aortic atherosclerosis were carried out in 49 patients. Overall hospital mortality and morbidity for stroke were 0.97% and 0.65%, respectively.

Conclusions. Prevalence of carotid and aortic disease was not low among candidates for CABG. Carotid and aortic screening may help to modify the operative strategy to reduce morbidity of stroke.     

左冠状动脉主干血管成形术

目的介绍单一性左冠状动脉主干狭窄的外科手术方法.方法回顾性总结采用血管补片成形术治疗单一性左冠状动脉主干病变的手术结果.结果本组8例患者均存活,无围手术期心肌梗死等严重并发症发生,平均随访时间5年4个月;其中1例患者于术后6个月因心绞痛复发而行冠状动脉旁路移植术,术后无并发症发生;其余患者心绞痛症状均完全消失,并参与正常活动.结论冠状动脉主干血管成形术可作为单一性左冠状动脉主干狭窄的外科手术方式之一,但不宜用于病变血管处有管壁严重钙化的患者.     

Management of porcelain aorta and calcified great vessels in coronary artery bypass grafting with off-pump and no-touch technology

A 69-year-old woman presented with postinfarct unstable angina and decreased ventricular function secondary to significant left main coronary artery stenosis in combination with total right coronary artery occlusion. We did successful off-pump coronary revascularization in this patient with severely calcified ascending aorta and great vessels, subtotal aortobiiliac stenoses, a history of previous stroke, and right carotid endarterectomy.     

Perioperative stroke in coronary artery bypass surgery. Analysis of risk factors

The incidence of neurologic complications after coronary bypass surgery is steadily rising as older and sicker patients are increasingly being treated. To identify patients requiring special attention, we reviewed the records in 2263 consecutive cases of first-time coronary artery bypass grafting in 1993-1995, in order to find predictive factors for stroke. Significant factors in univariate analysis were patient age, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, renal failure (defined as serum creatinine > or = 150 micromol/l), aneurysmal disease of the abdominal aorta, stenosis of the left main coronary artery, urgent or emergency operation, NYHA class, cardiopulmonary bypass time, number of aortic anastomoses, intraoperatively detected loose or calcified atheromatosis of the ascending aorta, left ventricular venting, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, cardiac complications necessitating early reoperation, and perioperative myocardial infarction. In a multivariate analysis, age, renal failure, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, NYHA class, number of aortic anastomoses, perioperative myocardial infarction and intraoperatively detected loose atheromatosis of the ascending aorta remained significant.     

Individualized surgical strategy for the reduction of stroke risk in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a protocol of systematic screening of the ascending aorta and internal carotid arteries and individualization of the surgical strategy to the ascending aorta and internal carotid arteries status in reducing the stroke incidence among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: On the basis of a pre- and intraoperative screening of the ascending aorta and internal carotid arteries, 2,326 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were divided in low, moderate, and high neurologic risk groups. In the high-risk group dedicated surgical techniques were always adopted and the reduction of the neurologic risk was considered more important than the achievement of total revascularization. RESULTS: The incidence of perioperative stroke in the high-risk group was similar to those of the other two groups (1.1 versus 1.3 and 1.1%, respectively; p = not significant); however, angina recurrence was significantly more frequent in the high-risk group. CONCLUSIONS: The described strategy allows a low rate of perioperative stroke in high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Whether the reduction of the neurologic risk outweighs the benefits of complete revascularization remains to be determined.     

非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术加颈动脉内膜剥脱术治疗冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄

目的总结非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术（OPCAB）加颈动脉内膜剥脱术（CEA）治疗冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄的临床经验,探讨治疗方法和效果。方法回顾性分析2003年1月至2009年12月期间南京医科大学附属南京第一医院121例冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄患者同期行OPCAB和CEA治疗的临床资料,其中男81例,女40例;年龄62~72岁（67.2±4.5岁）。均为3支冠状动脉病变,左主干病变3例。单侧颈动脉狭窄（≥50%）95例,双侧狭窄（≥50%）26例。术后观察围手术期脑卒中、心肌梗死、心绞痛及其他并发症的发生情况,并进行随访。结果所有患者均行单侧CEA,其中左侧71例,右侧50例,颈动脉阻断时间20.5±7.0 min。在OPCAB中,每例远端吻合口数为2.9±0.3个。围术期无死亡,无心绞痛、心肌梗死和脑卒中发生,手术前后自觉神经精神症状好转87例,无明显变化32例,加重2例。随访121例,随访率100%,随访时间67.5±12.5个月。患者生活质量良好,无脑卒中、新发生的心肌梗死和新发生的神经精神症状。结论同期行OPCAB和CEA治疗冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄是较好的治疗方法,能显著减少OPCAB术后脑卒中的发生,而远期疗效尚待积累手术经验、远期随访观察,并进一步的研究阐明。     

Coronary and carotid operations under prospective standardized conditions: incidence and outcome

Background. No randomized trial has yet evaluated the hypothetical benefit of carotid endarterectomy with coronary artery bypass grafting. This prospective review was undertaken to determine the differences between observed and predicted complication rates, as well as to define new predictors and assess costs in a standardized population.

Methods. A prospective nonrandomized study was undertaken over a 4-year period involving all coronary artery bypass graftings done at one institution. Operative procedure was standardized. All patients underwent preoperative screening for carotid disease. If 80% or more stenosis was present, combined coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy was performed.

Results. Of 2,071 patients, 1,987 had coronary artery bypass grafting only. In that group there were 34 strokes (1.7%) and 41 deaths (2.0%). Eighty-four patients underwent combined coronary artery bypass grafting/carotid endarterectomy and in that group there were four strokes (4.7%) and five deaths (5.9%). Independent risk factors for postoperative stroke were age (odds ratio 1.09; 95% confidence interval 1.04, 1.3), hypertension (odds ratio 2.67; 95% confidence interval 1.22, 5.23), extensively calcified aorta (odds ratio 2.82; 95% confidence interval 1.34, 5.97), and bypass time (odds ratio 1.01; 95% confidence interval 1.00, 1.02). Cost of a stroke was significant (p < 0.05) in both groups.

Conclusions. Patients with carotid disease fall into a higher risk group than patients without it. This increased risk is not because of carotid disease alone. Patients without significant carotid disease, who suffered a perioperative stroke, fell into an even higher risk category. Furthermore, carotid endarterectomy was not a significant risk factor by either the univariate or the multivariate analysis.     

Stroke during coronary bypass surgery: principal role of cerebral macroemboli.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the etiology of stroke during coronary bypass surgery. METHODS: Retrospective review of prospectively gathered data on 6682 consecutive coronary bypass patients. Patients undergoing simultaneous procedures, including carotid endarterectomy, were excluded. We performed a systematic chart review of all patients who suffered a perioperative stroke. Predictors of stroke were determined with stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of stroke was 1.5% (n=98). Stroke patients had significantly increased intensive care unit and hospital length of stays, as well as increased mortality when compared to patients without stroke (all P< 0.001). Independent predictors of stroke were (in decreasing order of magnitude): age >70 years, left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease. Chart review revealed that the probable cause of stroke was macroemboli, likely from ascending aorta atherosclerosis, in 37% of patients and unknown in 38% of patients. Computerized tomography (CT) scans were obtained in 79 patients (81%). Lesions detected by CT were consistent with a macroembolic etiology: nearly all lesions were ischemic in nature and located in the distribution of major cerebral arteries, particularly the middle cerebral artery. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke is a devastating complication of coronary bypass surgery. Our multivariable risk factors for stroke, chart review, and CT findings all suggest that macroemboli, presumably from the ascending aorta, are the predominant cause of stroke during coronary bypass surgery. Future studies should be directed at minimizing the risk of embolization during cardiac surgery.     

Surgery for coronary artery disease with penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the ascending aorta

Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU) is most often found in the descending aorta but rarely in the ascending aorta. In such a rare case, a 63-year-old man with ischemic change at precordial leads in electrocardiography was found in coronary angiography to have the left main trunk stenosis and in aortography (aortic phase of left ventriculography) to have PAU in the ascending aorta. We conducted 3-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting and replaced the ascending aorta. Preoperative evaluation of the ascending aorta is thus important in cardiac surgery as in this case.     

合并升主动脉钙化的冠心病人冠状动脉多支搭桥的策略

目的探讨冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）合并升主动脉钙化行冠状动脉多支搭桥的策略。方法2002年6月-2007年12月对36例合并升主动脉钙化的冠心病不使用主动脉侧壁钳行非体外循环冠状动脉搭桥术。常规取左乳内动脉（left internal mammary artery,LIMA）,19例同时取右乳内动脉（right internal mammary,RIMA）。15例以LIMA为唯一的桥血流来源（in-flow）,其余的静脉桥吻合到LIMA;14例使用Enclose或Heartstring近端吻合装置行静脉桥在主动脉上的吻合。术中用血流仪（Medi-Stim Butterfly Flow Meter,Oslo,Norway）行桥血流定量测定。结果36例共行远端吻合116个[2-5个,（3.2±0.9）个]。术后2-22 h病人完全清醒。手术中实时桥血流测定满意,15例以LIMA为唯一in-flow的患者,LIMA主干的总血流量基本是各分支桥血流量的数学和。无围手术期心肌梗死及脑卒中。8例（26.7%）手术后一过性心房颤动;肺部感染2例;胸腔积液4例;下肢切口感染1例,均治愈。死亡1例,死亡原因为多脏器功能衰竭。30例随访6-60个月,（33.8±11.2）月,11例造影显示37支桥中,LIMA-LAD均通畅,2支到对角支的静脉桥闭塞,余静脉桥均通畅。结论对升主动脉有明显钙化的冠心病患者,采用非体外循环冠状动脉搭桥结合主动脉No-touch技术或主动脉近端吻合装置,可有效避免因在病变主动脉上操作引起的术后脑卒中发生。     

Off-pump coronary artery revascularization: ideal indication for patients with porcelain aorta and calcification of great vessels

Patients with porcelain aorta and severe calcification of the great vessels are a challenging dilemma for the cardiovascular surgeon regarding bypass technique, choice of conduit, and selection of proximal anastomotic sites due to the high incidence of devastating thromboembolization and aortic injury. No currently proposed surgical approach avoids manipulation of the heavily calcified ascending aorta. Three patients presented with unstable angina and decreased ventricular function secondary to significant left main coronary artery stenosis and 3-vessel coronary artery disease. In addition to the coronary artery disease, severely calcified ascending aorta and great vessels were discovered. One patient presented with near total distal abdominal aortic occlusion, severe peripheral vascular disease, history of stroke, and carotid endarterectomy. Surgical coronary revascularization was indicated. Coronary artery bypass grafting using internal thoracic artery and greater saphenous vein composite arterial inflow grafts in combination with off-pump beating heart surgery was successfully used. Cardiopulmonary bypass and clamping of the aorta was avoided. No new neurologic deficit was observed. Coronary revascularization with internal thoracic artery composite grafts and avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass and clamping the calcified aorta is an effective method to prevent clamp injury and thromboembolization. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting seems to be an ideal indication in patients with porcelain aorta because the surgical techniques of "no-touch" and "no-cannulation" can be applied.     

Surgical treatment of multivessel lesions in Takayasu’s arteritis: Report of a case

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a chronic vasculitis involving the aorta and its main branches, the pulmonary arteries, and the coronary tree. Here we report a case of TA complicated by severe stenosis of the left coronary ostium with multivessel brachiocephalic involvement. A combination of these abnormalities could complicate underlying illness in patients, posing an increased risk of surgical morbidity. Simultaneous surgical treatment of the ascending aorta to left carotid artery bypass and coronary artery bypass using the great saphenous vein were performed. We discuss the choice of simultaneous surgery and the options for surgical treatment of complicated lesions due to TA.     

升主动脉粥样硬化患者的冠状动脉旁路移植

目的 总结冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病合并升主动脉粥样硬化患者冠状动脉旁路移植手术的特点。方法 22例患者中,13例采用非体外循环、心脏不停跳下冠状动脉旁路移植术(59％);9例采用低温体外循环(41％),其中5例在深低温、低流量并间断停循环条件下不阻断升主动脉行旁路-升主动脉近端吻合。结果 20例康复出院,术后早期死亡2例;并发症有肺部感染、心绞痛、室颤、急性心肌梗死和血胸,无神经系统并发症。结论 减少术中升主动脉操作是防止升主动脉损伤和减少并发症的关键。应用带蒂动脉旁路、旁路远端序贯吻合和近端Y形吻合可避免或减少旁路-升主动脉吻合;低温体外循环加左心室引流时,可不阻断升主动脉行旁路远端吻合;深低温、低流量并间断停循环下行旁路-升主动脉吻合,可避免阻断和部分阻断升主动脉,利于控制并发症。     

冠状动脉病变程度与冠心病危险因素的相关分析

目的探讨冠心病患者冠状动脉病变的严重程度与冠心病危险因素的关系。方法选择冠心病患者116例为冠心病组,选择冠状动脉样硬化狭窄程度〈50%的患者66例为对照组。分析冠状动脉狭窄程度与冠心病危险因素的关系。结果多因素分析结果显示,LVEF、Ccr与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度呈负相关,而hs-CRP与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度呈正相关（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。结论冠状动脉狭窄程度与LVEF、Ccr呈负相关,与hs-CRP呈正相关。     

Risk factors for ascending aortic atheromatosis--a retrospective analysis of 2,263 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ascending aortic atherosclerosis has been recognised as a potential source of atheroembolization during coronary artery bypass operation. A set of possible predictive preoperative factors for ascending aortic atheromatosis was studied to find the patients at greatest risk for aortic atheromatosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of 2,263 patients undergoing first-time coronary bypass operation from January 1993 to December 1995 were reviewed. Ascending aortic atheromatosis was considered to be present if the operating surgeon detected atheromatosis in ascending aorta by palpation or by sight while making aortotomies. RESULTS: Ascending aortic atheromatosis was found in 9.1% of the patients. Significant predictors in the multivariate model were age, tobacco use, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, x-ray calcifications of the thoracic aorta and subclavian artery stenosis at minimum 50 %. The loose variety of atheromatosis was detected by sight while making aortotomies in 1.1% of patients. Significant predictors in the multivariate model for this loose variety were age, hyperlipidemia and renal failure.Patients with ascending aortic atheromas suffered significantly more perioperative myocardial infarcts and central neurological defects as well as succumbed more often. CONCLUSION: This study defines some groups of coronary bypass patients that have increased risk for ascending aortic atheromatosis. Special attention should be paid to them during coronary bypass operation in order to minimise the otherwise increased risk for adverse neurological and cardial outcome.     

冠心病合并颈动脉狭窄的围术期处理

背景 冠心病(coronary artery bypass grafting,CABG)合并颈动脉狭窄者临床上并不少见.如何正确处理CABG患者并存颈动脉狭窄的问题应引起重视.目的 为了探索CABG患者并存颈动脉狭窄的最佳处理方法,此文将CABG患者并存颈动脉狭窄的外科治疗及麻醉处理进行了分析汇总.内窖对于合并颈动脉狭...     

Stroke following coronary artery bypass grafting: a ten-year study

To identify possible risk factors for the occurrence of stroke during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the cases of 3,279 consecutive patients having isolated CABG from 1974 to 1983 were reviewed. During this period, the risk of death fell from 3.9% to 2.6%. The stroke rate, however, fell initially but then rose from 0.57% in 1979 to 2.4% in 1983. Adjustment of these data for age clearly demonstrated that the risk of stroke has increased largely because of an increase in the mean age of patients undergoing CABG procedures. A case-control study involving all 56 stroke victims and 112 control patients was used to identify those risk factors significantly associated with the development of stroke in univariate analysis: increased age (63 versus 57 years in stroke patients and controls, respectively; p less than 0.0001); preexisting cerebrovascular disease (20% versus 8%; p less than 0.03); severe atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta (14% versus 3%; p less than 0.005); protracted cardiopulmonary bypass time (122 minutes versus 105 minutes; p less than 0.005); and severe perioperative hypotension (23% versus 4%; p less than 0.0001). Other variables not found to correlate with postoperative stroke included previous myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lower extremity vascular disease, preoperative left ventricular function, and intraoperative perfusion techniques. Elderly patients who have preexisting cerebrovascular disease or severe atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta or who require extensive revascularization procedures have a significantly increased risk of postoperative stroke.     

Strategies for preventing stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting

To evaluate the usefulness of our strategy for preventing stroke after CABG, 343 consecutive patients were investigated retrospectively. Patient ages ranged from 32 to 31 years (mean; 63 ± 9 years). There were 254 males and 59 females. Number of grafts per patient was 1 to 5 (mean 2.4 ± 0.9 grafts). In 193 patients, internal carotid arteries (ICAs) were preoperatively evaluated by duplex scanning or cerebral angiogram. The degree of atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta was preoperatively examined by plain computed tomography in 181 patients, during surgery by ultrasonography in 75 patients and palpation in all patients. Results: 1. On preoperative examination, there were 26 patients (15.1%) with ICA stenosis greater than 50% and 15 patients (7.8%) with stenosis greater than 75%. Six patients had bilateral ICA stenosis or occlusion greater than 75%. In 26 patients with ICA stenosis greater than 50%, history of stroke was significantly more prevalent than that in 167 patients without ICA stenosis (12 patients: 46.2% vs 22 patients: 13.1%, p<0.001). In patients with ICA stenosis greater than 75%, 6 patients were symptomatic and 8 were asymptomatic. For these patients, concomitant carotid endarterectomy and CABG were performed in 5, two stage procedures in 7 reconstruction of cerebral perfusion followed by CABG; 4, followed by CEA: 3), and CABG alone in 3. There was no stroke in any of these patients. 2. Atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta was found in 69 of 343 patients (20.1%). In these patients, single clamp technique was applied in 50 patients, aortic no touch technique in 12 and CABG without cardiopulmonary bypass in one. The arterial cannulation site was changed to femoral artery in 15 and to axillary artery in 6 patients. Statistical analysis indicated that age (older than 60 years) and history of stroke were significant risk factors for atherosclerotic ascending aorta. 3. There were 3 patients (0.9%) with perioperative stroke caused by embolism from the ascending aorta in one and hypoperfusion of the brain during cardiopulmonary bypass in two. Conclusion: Proper treatment of atherosclerotic ascending aorta and carotid occlusion may reduce the incidence of stroke in CABG patients.