Treatment of a giant coronary artery aneurysm in an adult with a history of Kawasaki disease by resection and bypass grafting: Report of a case

We report herein the case of a 22-year-old man with a history of Kawasaki disease who developed a giant calcified aneurysm of the left main coronary artery. The aneurysm was successfully resected and coronary bypass surgery was performed using the bilateral internal thoracic arteries. The resected aneurysm, the maximal diameter of which was 27 mm, showed heavy calcification of the inner layer and extended into the adjacent coronary arteries, producing a significant narrowing of the lumen of both the left main trunk (50%) and the anterior descending branch (50%). Extensive intimal calcification presumably prevented normal luminal development and produced a significant narrowing as the patient grew into adulthood. A cause for stenotic lesions developing in the coronary artery adjacent to a coronary aneurysm in adults with a history of Kawasaki disease is suggested here by the resected aneurysm seen in this patient. Thus, adult patients with giant coronary artery aneurysms and significant stenotic lesions of the coronary artery associated with Kawasaki disease may require aneurysmectomy in addition to bypass surgery.     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using in situ bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic arteries

Objective All arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) with in situ bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) may become a standard procedure that would provide better long-term results without affecting early results. Methods Our study included 404 consecutive patients who underwent OPCAB with one or two ITAs. We compared the clinical results of 135 patients who underwent OPCAB using unilateral ITA (UITA group) to those of 269 patients using bilateral ITAs (BITA group). Results The average number of distal anastomoses was 3.07 in the UITA group and 3.47 in the BITA group (P < 0.01). Four operative mortalities occurred in the UITA group and two in the BITA group. There were no significant differences in morbidity between the two groups. Conclusion OPCAB using bilateral skeletonized ITAs is technically feasible, with good early results. Arterial OPCAB using in situ bilateral skeletonized ITAs may become a standard procedure in the future.     

New Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique Using Arterial T-grafts for Treatment of Double-vessel Coronary Artery Disease: Experimental Study

Minimally invasive surgery has been used successfully in patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD), but there are no clinical reports of surgical techniques for the treatment of multivessel disease in this field using both internal mammary arteries (IMAs). Therefore a canine model has been established to demonstrate the feasibility of a minimally invasive surgical treatment of coronary artery double-vessel disease using both IMAs. Ten mongrel dogs underwent bilateral thoracoscopic preparation of both internal mammary arteries through small left lateral chest ports. Using the Port Access endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass system the right IMA (RIMA) was anastomosed as a free graft end-to-side to the left IMA (LIMA) as a T-graft. After induction of cardioplegic arrest the RIMA was anastomosed to the circumflex artery and the LIMA to the left anterior descending artery. All animals were weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass without inotropic support. The electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with no signs of ischemia. Intraoperative coronary angiography demonstrated patency of all anastomoses. The minimally invasive surgical treatment of double-vessel CAD using arterial T-grafts of both IMAs is thus feasible. Surgical trauma can be further reduced by harvesting the RIMA transmediastinally through the left lateral chest.     

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

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

Review: surgical treatment of giant coronary aneurysms in pediatric patients with Kawasaki disease

In Kawasaki disease (KD), giant coronary aneurysms in the proximal segments of the coronary arteries have long been among the serious complications associated with acute myocardial infarction. To treat myocardial ischemia in children, Kitamura et al. first performed coronary artery bypass grafting in a pediatric patient using an autologous saphenous vein. In the early 1980s, they began to use the internal thoracic artery (ITA) as a bypass graft to the left anterior descending artery, which later was proven to improve long-term life expectancy with its favorable long-term patency, as well as growth potential. Thus, the excellent characteristics of the ITA have come to be widely known among pediatric cardiac surgeons, and a growing number of coronary bypass surgery procedures using the ITA are now being performed worldwide. Although a longer follow-up with more patients is necessary, downsizing reconstructive procedure may be a treatment of choice for giant aneurysms of non-LAD territories to improve coronary circulation. The efficacy of surgical treatment for giant coronary aneurysms in pediatric patients with Kawasaki disease is now well established. Pediatric coronary artery bypass grafting using the ITA, either single or bilateral, can be safe not only for patients with Kawasaki coronary disease but also for infants with congenital coronary lesions.     

非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术治疗冠状动脉慢性完全闭塞

目的 探讨非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术(OPCAB)治疗冠状动脉慢性完全闭塞病变(CTO)的可行性,总结其临床经验. 方法 1999年8月～2007年10月我院共收治696例CTO患者,共853支冠状动脉完全闭塞(其中冠状动脉造影显示显示无逆显影127支、有逆显影726支),均行OPCAB(术前冠状动脉造影显示无逆显影的CTO患者中术中有26支有血流,而有逆显影的CTO患者中有63支无血流),共移植血管桥2 231支.其中施行内膜剥脱术(CE)后行冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)136支,行心中静脉原位静脉动脉化28支.术中有15例因血流动力学不稳定改为体外循环下CABG,其中6例安放主动脉内球囊反搏(IABP). 结果术中无死亡患者;术后住院期间死亡6例,其中2例死于严重低心排血量,2例死于肾功能衰竭,1例死于围术期心肌梗死,1例死于脑血管意外.术后发生应激性溃疡1例,纵隔感染1例,均经对症治疗后痊愈.术后随访1个月～9年,随访686例(99.42%),失访4例;心绞痛缓解率99.85%(685/686),心功能分级(NYHA)Ⅰ～Ⅱ级. 结论 CTO患者应用OPCAB可以取得良好的治疗效果,手术死亡率及并发症明显降低.冠状动脉造影对评价冠状动脉完全闭塞有一定的局限性,冠状动脉血管内视镜技术和血管内超声心动图可以协助诊断.     

Safe evolution towards routine off-pump coronary artery bypass: negotiating the learning curve

Objective: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) hopes to avoid morbidity associated with cardiopulmonary bypass, improving clinical outcomes. Yet its technical difficulty and unfamiliarity raise concern that adoption of OPCAB might be associated with poorer outcomes during each surgeon's ‘learning curve’. We examined trends in patient selection over time as a single surgeon's practice evolved to routine OPCAB. Methods: Between 10-1-96 and 12-31-01, 1479 consecutive patients had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Clinical data were gathered prospectively and reviewed retrospectively. Trends in adoption of OPCAB and clinical outcomes were examined. Results: There were 756 OPCAB and 723 CABG/cardiopulmonary bypass patients. The practice evolved from 90% conventional CABG to 93% OPCAB. An abrupt transition coincided with evolution of techniques to expose the obtuse marginal arteries, and improvements in suction-based coronary stabilizers. Mortality was 1.0% for the off-pump group and 2.1% for the on-pump group. Careful patient selection helped maintain acceptable outcomes during the ‘learning curve’. Patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction, left main disease, and complex three vessel disease were excluded from OPCAB until significant experience (>200 cases) was attained. Presently, all isolated coronary bypass cases are candidates for OPCAB except patients with ischemic ventricular arrhythmias, those in cardiac arrest, and those for whom previous left pneumonectomy or deep pectus excavatum prevent rightward mobilization of heart. Conclusions: Despite a significant learning curve, evolution to routine OPCAB can be achieved while maintaining good patient outcomes. The development of specialized techniques, coronary stabilizers, and apical suction devices allows the application of OPCAB to virtually all coronary bypass patients, as surgeon experience matures.     

Simultaneous Esophagectomy and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Report of a Case

We successfully performed off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) with concomitant esophagectomy in a 77-year-old man with esophageal cancer and severe stenosis of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed via median sternotomy and esophagectomy was done via the left thoracoabdominal approach. The patient was discharged with a patent graft 8 weeks after surgery. The benefits of OPCAB include that it is less invasive and heparinization can be avoided. This case report demonstrates that simultaneous OPCAB and esophagectomy is advantageous for a selected population with surgically correctable coronary artery disease and resectable esophageal cancer.     

不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术联合同期肺切除术

目的总结不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术联合同期肺切除术的经验。方法7例不稳定性心绞痛或心肌梗死合并可切除肺部病变患者,实施不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术联合同期肺切除术。所有患者术前行冠状动脉造影证实不宜行冠状动脉成形术或支架植入术。采用胸骨正中切口,不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术后行肺切除术。左上肺叶切除2例,右上肺叶切除1例,右上、中叶切除1例,右下肺叶切除1例,左侧肺减容术1例,双侧肺减容术1例。结果本组无住院死亡,但有1例后期死亡。术后并发症包括1例胸骨哆开再次开胸固定、1例房颤。病理检查结果5例肺部恶性肿瘤、2例慢性阻塞性肺气肿。患者随访2～31个月,所有患者术后没有再次出现心肌缺血症状,1例行右肺上、中叶切除患者术后19个月出现局部复发。结论胸骨正中切口不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术联合同期肺切除术是安全有效的并能降低术后并发症。     

常规与非体外循环下冠状动脉3支病变旁路移植血管通畅性对比分析

目的　评价非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术 (OPCAB)与体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术 (CCABG)治疗冠状动脉三支病变术中旁路早期通畅性。方法　 6 0例 3支血管病变的病人分为OPCAB组和CCABG组 ,每组各 30例。行冠状动脉旁路移植术 ,OPCAB组胸骨正中切口 ,在非体外循环心脏不停跳下完成手术 ;CCABG组建立常规体外循环 ,心脏停跳下完成手术。术中应用即时血流测量技术对旁路血管进行流量测量。对比分析两组术前、术后的各项指标及各血管旁路流量、搏动指数和血流波形。结果　两组病人术前一般情况差异无统计学意义。OPCAB组与CCABG组移植旁路血管分别为 (3 6±0 6 )支与 (4 3± 0 9)支 (P <0 0 1) ;两组前降支及右冠状动脉旁路血流量、搏动指数差异无显著性。CCABG组回旋支序贯旁路和远端吻合口多 ,血流量较OPCAB组高。两组弥漫病变血管旁路血流量小。结论　OPCAB与CCABG治疗 3支病变 ,两组血管旁路早期通畅性差异无显著性。     

Bilateral ex vivo repair and kidney autotransplantation for complex renal artery aneurysms: A case report and literature review

We report the surgical management of a bilateral renal artery aneurysm diagnosed in a 41‐year‐old patient with a history of recurrent abdominal pain. The preoperative contrast‐enhanced computed tomography showed a complex saccular aneurysm on both renal arteries within the renal hilum. The characteristics of aneurysms precluded endovascular procedures, and a double‐step bilateral ex vivo reconstruction with kidney autotransplantation was planned. The intra‐ and postoperative period was uneventful. Imaging and laboratory examinations show preservation of renal function, and patient is symptom‐free at 10‐month follow up.     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: long term angiographic results

OBJECTIVE: Although short-term results of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting are well documented, late postoperative data are still scarce. This report provides an analysis of late postoperative control angiograms. METHODS: 265 patients (231 males, 34 females; mean age: 54 +/- 10) underwent postoperative angiographic control, after an average postoperative period of 4.2 +/- 2.3 years (up to 9 years, a total of 1110 years). A total of 385 distal anastomoses on 258 internal mammary arteries (IMAs) and 127 saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) were evaluated. The primary operation was single bypass in 156 cases (62%), double bypass in 98 (34%), and triple or more bypass in 11 (4%). RESULTS: Out of 258 IMAs, 241 were patent (93%), while SVG patency was 65% with 82 patent grafts out of 127 (p < 0.0001). The patency in the lateral branches (62%) and right coronary system (64%) were similar. The variables associated with graft occlusion were hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.02), poor left ventricular performance (p = 0.03), reoperation (p = 0.01), target coronary vessel caliber less than 1.5 mm (p < 0.0001), poor native coronary vessel quality (p = 0.0003) and low-grade stenosis (p = 0.02). In the poor left ventricle group, the left ventricular segmental wall motion score was improved (p = 0.004). Consequently, 47 patients underwent secondary revascularization (35 PTCA and 12 CABG). The leading indication was native coronary artery disease progression, frequently in the circumflex system, followed by graft failure. The cases with native vessel disease progression were referred to PTCA/stenting, while those with LAD graft occlusion were treated surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Probably the best candidates for OPCAB are those having target vessels of good caliber and quality, and high-grade stenoses. Postoperative lipid-lowering therapy seems to be prudential.     

Clinical outcomes, angiographic patency, and resource utilization in 200 consecutive off-pump coronary bypass patients

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study compared clinical outcomes and resource utilization in patients having off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) versus conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Angiographic patency was documented in the OPCAB group. METHODS: From April 1997 through November 1999, OPCAB was performed in 200 consecutive patients, and the results were compared with those in a contemporaneous matched control group of 1,000 patients undergoing CABG. Patients were matched according to age, sex, preexisting disease (renal failure, diabetes, pulmonary disease, stroke, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, previous myocardial infarction, and primary or redo status. Follow-up in the OPCAB patients was 93% and averaged 13.4 months. RESULTS: Hospital death (1.0%), postoperative stroke (1.5%), myocardial infarction (1.0%), and re-entry for bleeding (1.5%) occurred infrequently in the OPCAB group. There were reductions in the rates of transfusion (33.0% versus 70.0%; p < 0.001) and deep sternal wound infection (0% versus 2.2%; p = 0.067) in the OPCAB group compared with the CABG group. Angiographic assessment of 421 grafted arteries was performed in 167 OPCAB patients (83.5%) prior to hospital discharge. All but five were patent (98.8%) (93.3% FitzGibbon A, 5.5% FitzGibbon B, 1.2% FitzGibbon O). All 163 internal mammary artery grafts were patent. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting reduced postoperative hospital stay from 5.7 +/- 5.3 days in the CABG group to 3.9 +/- 2.6 days (p < 0.001), with a decrease in hospital cost of 15.0% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting reduces hospital cost, postoperative length of stay, and morbidity compared with CABG on cardiopulmonary bypass. Off-pump coronary bypass grafting is safe, cost effective, and associated with excellent graft patency and clinical outcomes.     

On-pump beating heart versus off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery—evidence of pump-induced myocardial injury

Objective: By maintaining native coronary blood flow in on-pump beating heart surgery (OnP-BH) and comparing with OPCAB strategy pump-related effects on myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction could be specifically differentiated from ischemia/reperfusion-related consequences of surgical coronary revascularization. Methods: In a randomized-prospective design, 40 elective patients with normal EF and three vessels coronary artery disease (left main disease excluded) were assigned to OPCAB or OnP-BH surgery. Before coronary occlusion and 1, 30, 60, and 90 min after reperfusion with the LIMA graft, coronary sinus (CS) blood was sampled to determine intraoperative myocardial ischemia (pH, lactate, pO₂) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, MDA). Additionally to CS blood arterial blood was analyzed 4, 12, and 24 h postoperatively to determine myocardial necrosis (CK-MB, cardiac troponin I), myocardial dysfunction (NT-proBNP) and inflammation (C-reactive protein). Results: Groups were identical with regards to age and gender (OPCAB 63.0±6.0 versus OnP-BH 65.3±3.9 y, 20% female patients). Number of grafts were 3.0±0.5 in OPCAB versus 2.9±0.3 in OnP-BH (n.s.) with 44 versus 34% bilateral IMAs and 56 versus 50% complete arterial revascularization. Regarding ischemia, intraoperatively only lactate values increased significantly in the OnP-BH group. Significantly higher CK-MB and troponin I levels were found from LIMA-LAD flow release onwards to 4 h postoperatively in the OnP-BH group. NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in the OnP-BH group during the entire study period. CRP levels were higher in the OnP-BH group 12 and 24 h postoperatively. Conclusions: In this randomized study on routine coronary patients with normal ventricular function, OPCAB revealed less myocardial injury than OnP-BH. These findings implicate that CPB slightly affects the myocardium.     

Simultaneous operation of off pump coronary artery bypass and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) commonly coexist. However, each disease treatment complicates the management of the other. In this study, we evaluate whether a simultaneous operation of AAA repair and off pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) would be safe and acceptable, compared with either procedure alone. Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent simultaneous AAA repair and OPCAB (AAA/OPCAB, n=18), compared AAA repair alone (AAA, n=239) and OPCAB alone (OPCAB, n=137) from June 1999 to December 2003. There were no significant differences with regard to age or gender, but the AAA/OPCAB group had significantly larger aneurysms (60.6 vs. 53.2 mm) and significantly lower ejection fractions (EF) (54.9 vs. 60.3%). Results: The patients in the AAA/OPCAB group underwent a significantly longer operative time than AAA, OPCAB (403 vs. 360,296 minutes, respectively), there was significantly greater blood loss (726 vs. 426, 462 ml), and more transfusion required (8.13 vs. 1.69, 2.8 units). The number of bypass grafts in AAA/OPCAB group (1–5 per patients) was significantly smaller (1.78 vs. 2.93). The AAA/OPCAB patients had a significantly longer hospital stay than the AAA (38 vs. 22 days), but was not significantly longer than the OPCAB. There were no significant differences with regard to the morbidity and mortality rate among the three groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that the simultaneous operation of AAA and OPCAB can be done with the same morbidity and mortality as independent surgical procedures. Key words: coronary artery bypass grafting, abdominal aortic aneurysm, off pump coronary artery bypass, simultaneous operation     

Perioperative myocardial infarction in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Two patients in whom myocardial infarction in the inferior wall occurred after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafing (OPCAB) are described. In both patients, the right coronary artery had no critical lesion and was not grafted. There was no ischemic episode during operation. Coronary artery spasms and/or intracoronary thrombus formation may have been causes of these events. To our knowledge, this is the first report on perioperative myocardial infarction in OPCAB.     

冠状动脉硬化性心脏病合并左锁骨下动脉严重狭窄非体外循环下同期手术的临床经验

目的探讨非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植同时主动脉-锁骨下动脉旁路治疗冠状动脉硬化性心脏病(冠心病)合并锁骨下动脉重度狭窄的手术方法及效果.方法2003年1月～2004年5月,我院治疗须行冠状动脉旁路移植术同时合并左锁骨下动脉近端重度狭窄3例,术中先行主动脉-锁骨下动脉旁路,左乳内动脉获得满意的流量后,再行非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植.结果手术时间210～340 min,平均283 min,出血量570～1 630 ml,平均963 ml.游离左乳内动脉后量杯测流量均＜5 ml/min,主动脉-锁骨下动脉旁路后量杯测流量均＞50 ml/min,乳内动脉远端与前降支吻合后流量仪测流量12～27 ml/min,平均20 ml/min.术后临床症状缓解,未发现冠脉-锁骨下动脉窃血综合征.3例随访3～6个月,平均5个月,无心绞痛发作.结论非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植同时主动脉-锁骨下动脉旁路手术是治疗冠心病合并锁骨下动脉重度狭窄简单而有效的方法.     

Multivessel off-pump coronary aortic bypass grafting with an impaired and severely dilated left ventricle using the Starfish heart positioner

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) is gaining acceptance and is now more widely used for coronary revascularization worldwide. Accessing the vessels, particularly on the lateral and inferior walls of the heart, can sometimes be challenging while the heart is beating, especially in hearts with an impaired and severely dilated left ventricle. The Starfish heart positioner was designed to achieve optimal exposure of the lateral and inferior walls of the heart with minimal hemodynamic compromise. This device was used in a patient with a severely impaired and dilated left ventricle to successfully position the heart for quadruple bypass grafting using all in situ arterial grafts, such as bilateral international thoracic arteries (ITAs) and the right gastroepiploic artery. The degree of hematoma caused by the pressure of the suction cup of this device was minimal. This case report suggests that the use of Starfish heart positioner will facilitate and expand the ability of surgeons to easily and consistently perform OPCAB.     

Percutaneous vertebral angioplasty before coronary artery bypass grafting

We report a case of a 63-year-old male with three-vessel coronary heart disease complicated by stenosis of the bilateral vertebral arteries. Triple coronary bypass grafting, using arterial conduits, was successfully performed after percutaneous balloon angioplasty of the left vertebral artery. Precedent angioplasty of a stenotic vertebral artery is safe and protects the brain from ischemia during extracorporeal circulation.     

非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术治疗左冠状动脉主干合并3支血管病变

目的总结非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术(OPCAB)对左冠状动脉主干合并3支血管病变患者的治疗经验及体会。方法对33例左冠状动脉主干合并3支血管病变患者施行了OPCAB,用左乳内动脉作为移植血管与左前降支进行吻合,大隐静脉作为移植血管分别与回旋支、右冠状动脉/后降支、对角支和钝缘支进行吻合。结果每例患者行旁路血管移植2～5支,平均3.4支。无手术死亡,无围手术期心肌梗死、呼吸衰竭、肝肾功能衰竭等严重并发症,术后心绞痛均消失。结论OPCAB治疗左冠状动脉主干合并3支血管病变的高危冠心病患者是可行、有效的,手术损伤小;而积极的术前准备、主动脉内球囊反搏的应用、正确的手术方法和配合、建立一支熟练快速的应急队伍是确保手术成功的关键。