Precision Incision: Robotic Coronary Revascularization via 3.9-cm Minithoracotomy

ABSTRACT: Coronary artery bypass grafting remains the treatment choice for coronary artery disease; but sternotomy, the most commonly used approach, compromises its benefits with postoperative morbidity, higher complication rates, and prolonged length of hospital stay. Despite this, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted technology has not been adopted or widely embraced because supporting literature on robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting is extremely limited. Since 2005, the cardiothoracic surgical team at our institution has been developing and maturing an effective method using robotic harvesting of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and beating heart surgery through a minithoracotomy for coronary revascularization. This surgical technique involves precisely placing the robotic endoscopic port immediately over the left anterior descending (LAD) artery target site. The robotically harvested LIMA is secured to the epicardium at the LAD target, the robotic instruments are removed, and the endoscopic port site is enlarged slightly greater than 1 cm to become the minithoracotomy and allow for LIMA-to-LAD anastomosis. The other two robotic ports are used to complete the procedure without a need for additional incisions. This standardized method has been used in more than 750 patients, and since 2009, the last 377 consecutive non-rib-spreading minithoracotomy incisions measured a median of 3.9 cm (mean [SD], 4.16 [1.2748] cm; range, 2.3-12.0 cm). This "How I Do It" article describes our methods in detail and associated robotic nuances.     

Would SYNTAX have been a positive trial if XIENCE V had been used instead of TAXUS?: A meta-analysis of a first-generation vs. a second-generation drug-eluting stent system

Treatment options for coronary revascularisation include percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In the ‘synergy between PCI with TAXUS and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX)’ trial, PCI and CABG using state-of-the-art techniques (using paclitaxel-eluting stents and arterial grafts, respectively) were compared in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease. In Syntax, PCI was inferior to CABG at one year, entirely due to an increased repeat intervention rate. We hypothesised that the use of a superior drug-eluting stent system could reduce the need for repeat intervention. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:451-3.)     

冠状动脉支架植入术后行冠脉旁路移植术

目的:总结15例冠状动脉支架植入术后行冠状动脉旁路移植术的临床经验。方法:回顾分析行冠状动脉支架植入术后行冠状动脉旁路移植术15例患者的资料,男10例,女5例,平均年龄(61±5)岁。行冠状动脉支架植入术后再行冠状动脉旁路移植术时间间隔(24±4)月,冠状动脉内置入支架3-6枚,左室射血分数为43%-64%,其中50%为3例。全组行体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术3例,行非体外循环心脏跳动下冠状动脉旁路移植术12例。结果:全组共行动脉桥吻合13支,静脉桥33支;围术期并发低心排综合征3例,肺部感染4例,胸腔内出血行胸腔闭式引流术2例,本组患者无死亡病例。术后平均住院日(13±4)天。结论:对冠状动脉内支架植入术后再狭窄或(和)冠状动脉再血管化不足的病例进行冠状动脉旁路移植治疗,可使冠状动脉达到充分再血管化,提高冠心病患者生活质量及预后。     

Benchmarking the use of blood products in cardiac surgery to stimulate awareness of transfusion behaviour

Introduction

Cardiac operations account for a large proportion of the blood transfusions given each year, leading to high costs and an increased risk to patient safety. Therefore, it is important to explore initiatives to reduce transfusion rates. This study aims to provide a benchmark for transfusion practice by inter-hospital comparison of transfusion rates, blood product use and costs related to patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve surgery or combined CABG and valve surgery.

Methods

Between 2010 and 2013, patients from four Dutch hospitals undergoing CABG, valve surgery or combined CABG and valve surgery (n = 11,150) were included by means of a retrospective longitudinal study design.

Results

In CABG surgery the transfusion rate ranged between 43 and 54%, in valve surgery between 54 and 67%, and in combined CABG and valve surgery between 80 and 88%. With the exception of one hospital, the trend in transfusion rate showed a significant decrease over time for all procedures. Hospitals differed significantly in the units of blood products given to each patient, and in the use of specific transfused combinations of blood products, such as red blood cells (RBCs) and a combination of RBCs, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets.

Conclusion

This study indicates that benchmarking blood product usage stimulates awareness of transfusion behaviour, which may lead to better patient safety and lower costs. Further studies are warranted to improve awareness of transfusion behaviour and increase the standardisation of transfusion practice in cardiac surgery.

     

Arterial end-to-side grafting in coronary artery bypass grafting: the Tector procedure

Background. The current treatment of choice in patients with three-vessel coronary disease is coronary artery bypass grafting. The use of the left internal mammary artery in bypass grafting has shown superior long-term outcomes compared with venous grafting. In our study we assess the safety and feasibility of all-arterial coronary artery bypass graft surgery using the procedure as described by Tector et al. in 2001.Methods. Between June 2001 and February 2007, we studied 133 patients eligible for non-emergency surgical revascularisation. Primary endpoints were death or re-infarction within a 30-day period. Secondary endpoints were the need for emergency coronary surgery, angioplasty and mediastinitis. Long-term follow-up had a mean duration of 33 months postoperatively.Results. All 133 patients were successfully revascularised, 98% with the off-pump technique. In 93% of the patients (n=124) full arterial grafting was achieved using both internal mammary arteries. Thirty-day mortality was 1.5% (n=2), ten re-thoracotomies were performed, one myocardial infarction and one case of mediastinitis were reported. In the next four years six additional patients died. Most of these deaths were due to non-cardiovascular causes. Two patients required angioplasty because of distal bypass graft failure and one for new native coronary artery disease. Conclusion. All-arterial bypass grafting using both internal mammary arteries with the technique as described by Tector is safe and feasible without excess deep sternal wound infections. Late major adverse cardiac events are rare and due to distal graft dysfunction, which can be treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:7-11.)     

Free radical reaction products and antioxidant capacity in beating heart coronary artery surgery compared to conventional bypass

Oxygen-derived free radicals are important agents of tissue injury during ischemia and reperfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in protein and lipid oxidation and antioxidant status in beating heart coronary artery surgery and conventional bypass and to compare oxidative stress parameters between the two bypass methods. Serum lipid hydroperoxide, nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, nitrotyrosine, vitamin E, and β-carotene levels and total antioxidant capacity were measured in blood of 30 patients undergoing beating heart coronary artery surgery (OPCAB, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting) and 12 patients undergoing conventional bypass (CABG, on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting). In the OPCAB group, nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine levels decreased after reperfusion. Similarly, β-carotene level and total antioxidant capacity also decreased after anesthesia and reperfusion. In the CABG group, nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine levels decreased after ischemia and reperfusion. However, protein carbonyl levels elevated after ischemia and reperfusion. Vitamin E, β-carotene, and total antioxidant capacity decreased after ischemia and reperfusion. Significantly decreased nitration and impaired antioxidant status were seen after reperfusion in both groups. Moreover, elevated protein carbonyls were found in the CABG group. The off-pump procedure is associated with lower degree of oxidative stress than on-pump coronary surgery.     

Combined surgical approach to carotid and coronary artery disease

The aim of this study was to compare two different surgical approaches to patients with coexistent significant carotid and coronary artery obstruction. Patients were treated with combined operation of carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting (CEA/CABG). The first group of patients underwent the CABG procedure with the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on arrested heart and the second group without the CPB on a beating heart--off pump. Between May 15 1998, and October 9 2003, thirty-five consecutive patients underwent the combined procedure. In both groups there were no cases of transient or permanent perioperative neurological events. Overall, early mortality was 5.6%. The incidence of a perioperative myocardial infarction was 5.5%. In the follow-up period there were no cases of late stroke. According to the presented results in this study, it was found that the combined CEA and CABG is an equally safe and effective procedure performed with or without cardiopulmonary bypass for patients with a severe coexistent carotid and coronary artery disease.     

Perioperative management of antiplatelet treatment in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in Dutch cardiothoracic centres

Background

International guidelines do not provide uniform recommendations regarding the use of antiplatelet treatment in the perioperative period in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to all 16 cardiothoracic centres in the Netherlands to determine which antiplatelet treatment is used in the perioperative setting. Furthermore, a single-centre prospective observational cohort study was performed which included all patients undergoing isolated CABG in July 2014.

Results

Eleven centres responded to the survey. Acetylsalicylic acid monotherapy was discontinued before surgery in 6 centres. In patients with an acute coronary syndrome receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), most centres discontinued the P2Y₁₂ inhibitor preoperatively. DAPT was restarted after surgery in 4 centres. However, 6 centres continued DAPT in patients who had undergone coronary stenting within one month of surgery. In patients with coronary stents, variation in the management of antiplatelet therapy increased in proportion to the interval between stenting and surgery. A total of 70 patients were included in the registry. Acetylsalicylic acid monotherapy was discontinued in 51% of patients and restarted in all patients. P2Y₁₂ inhibitor treatment was discontinued before surgery in 70% of patients and re-initiated after CABG in 29%.

Conclusions

Major differences were observed in the preoperative and postoperative management of antiplatelet treatment between different Dutch cardiothoracic centres and within a single centre. Part of this variation is probably due to lack of evidence and differences between the current guidelines; however, many of the strategies were not in accordance with any of these guidelines.

     

Analysis of blood flow in an out-of-plane CABG model

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a routine surgical treatment for ischemic and infarcted myocardium. A large number of CABG fail postoperatively because of intimal hyperplasia within months or years. The cause of this failure is thought to be partly related to the flow patterns and shear stresses acting on the endothelial cells. An accurate representation of the flow field and associated wall shear stress (WSS) requires a detailed three-dimensional (3D) model of the CABG. The purpose of this study is to present a detailed analysis of blood flow in a 3D aorto/left CABG, bypassing the occluded left anterior descending coronary (LAD) artery. The analysis takes into account the influence of the out-of-plane geometry of the graft. The finite volume technique was employed to model the 3D blood flow pattern to determine the velocity and WSS distributions. This study presents the flow field distributions of the velocity and WSS at four instances of the cardiac cycle, two in systole and two in diastole. Our results reveal that the CABG geometry has a significant effect on the velocity distribution. The axial velocity profiles at different instances of the cardiac cycle exhibit strong skewing; significant secondary flow and vortex structures are seen in the in-plane velocity patterns. The maximum WSS on the bed of the occluded LAD artery opposite to the graft junction is 14 Pa in middiastole, whereas there is a significantly lower and more uniform distribution of WSS on the bed of the anastomosis. The present results indicate that nonplanarity of the blood vessel along with the inflow conditions has a substantial effect on the fluid mechanics of CABG that contribute to the patency of graft.     

冠状动脉支架植入术后行冠脉旁路移植术

目的：总结15例冠状动脉支架植入术后行冠状动脉旁路移植术的临床经验。方法：回顾分析行冠状动脉支架植入术后行冠状动脉旁路移植术15例患者的资料,男10例,女5例,平均年龄（61±5）岁。行冠状动脉支架植入术后再行冠状动脉旁路移植术时间间隔（24±4）月,冠状动脉内置入支架3-6枚,左室射血分数为43％-64％,其中〈50％为3例。全组行体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术3例,行非体外循环心脏跳动下冠状动脉旁路移植术12例。结果：全组共行动脉桥吻合13支,静脉桥33支;围术期并发低心排综合征3例,肺部感染4例,胸腔内出血行胸腔闭式引流术2例,本组患者无死亡病例。术后平均住院日（13±4）天。结论：对冠状动脉内支架植入术后再狭窄或（和）冠状动脉再血管化不足的病例进行冠状动脉旁路移植治疗,可使冠状动脉达到充分再血管化,提高冠心病患者生活质量及预后。     

Oxidative stress is decreased in off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery surgery

Oxidative stress occurs in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operation. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in oxidative stress in off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. In the present study, in serial blood samples, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) as index of lipid peroxidation, red blood cells glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured to compare the extent of oxidative stress in 30 patients undergoing OPCAB (off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting), 12 patients undergoing CABG (on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting) and 18 healthy controls. In CABG group, MDA levels increased significantly from 2.87 +/- 0.62 nmol/mL before anesthesia and 2.87 +/- 0.65 nmol/mL after anesthesia to 3.05 +/- 0.66 nmol/mL after ischemia (p < 0.05). Similarly, SOD levels also elevated significantly from 661.58 +/- 78.70 U/g Hb before anesthesia and 659.42 +/- 81.21 U/g Hb anesthesia induction to 678.08 +/- 75.80 U/g Hb after ischemia (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). In OPCAB group, only SOD levels increased from 581.73 +/- 86.24 U/g Hb anesthesia induction to 590.90 +/- 88.90 U/g Hb after reperfusion (p < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase levels were not changed according to blood collection times in both of CABG group or OPCAB group (p > 0.05). Our results show that only mild signs of oxidative stress is found after reperfusion in OPCAB operation compared with CABG operation. Further studies are needed in order to confirm this hypothesis.     

The acutely occluded left main coronary artery culprit in cardiogenic shock and initial percutaneous coronary intervention: a substudy of the Manitoba "no option" left main PCI registry

We aim to describe the in-hospital outcomes of the first reported Canadian cohort of patients with cardiogenic shock and acute myocardial infarction (MI) due to acute and total occlusion of the left main coronary artery, treated with initial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Acute left main thromboses with cardiogenic shock were identified (N?= 8) from a retrospective consecutive cohort of high risk left main PCI (N?= 56) performed at our institution from 2004-2009. The mean age was 62.3?± 13.2?years, with 6 (75%) male patients. Successful PCI was performed in all patients, with thrombectomy utilized in 4 patients (50%), stenting in 7 patients (88%), and intra-aortic balloon pump augmentation in 7 patients (88%). Two patients (25%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and 2 other patients required ventricular assist devices. Post-PCI coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed for 2 patients (25%). The mean SYNTAX score was 26.6?± 10.5. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 30.4?± 12.6%. In-hospital mortality occurred in 3 patients (38%). Acute left main occlusion is a rare but devastating presentation of myocardial infarction, invariably with cardiogenic shock. Emergent PCI may be an effective method to acutely revascularize this subset of patients; however, aggressive post-PCI care including ECMO, CABG, and ventricular support may be required to improve patient survival.     

Off-pump versus on-pump--intermittent aortic cross clamping--myocardial revascularisation: single center expirience

The aim of this randomised, prospective study was to evaluate hospital mortality and morbidity after myocardial revascularisation, comparing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) myocardial revascularisation versus off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) myocardial revascularisation in population with multivessels coronary artery disease. Sixty patients with multivessels coronary artery diseases were scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting from January 15, 2006 to June 30, 2007 in our institution. Patients were randomized to off-pump or on-pump surgery with intermittent cross-clamping of aorta and ventricular fibrillation, using the envelope method with random numbers. In the results only difference we did find postoperatively was in Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) release, the amount of bleeding and intensive care unit (ICU) stay (p<0.05). There was no diference between the two groups of patients regarding incidence of main morbidity and hospital moratlity. In summary, we didn't find no superiority in any of the two techniques regarding on hospital mortality and morbidity.     

The relationship between urotensin II plasma immunoreactivity and left ventricular filling pressures in coronary artery disease

The role of urotensin II (U-II)--a vasoactive, mitogenic, and inotropic, peptide--in the pathophysiology of heart failure is controversial. The present study explores the relationship between plasma U-II immunoreactivity (U-IIIR) and hemodynamics in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirty-six patients with CAD-3 undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and 36 medical patients (MED group) with CAD-1 to CAD-3 during right heart catheterization were studied. Significant correlations were observed between pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and U-IIIR--determined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA)--before (rho = 0.83) and after (rho = 0.6) cardiopulmonary bypass in the CABG group. With the exception of the CPB period, CABG patients with increased PCWP before CPB had higher U-II(IR) concentrations throughout the procedure. Significant correlations were observed between U-IIIR, proANP, proBNP, and mean right ventricular pressure (RVPM) in MED patients. No correlation was detectable between U-IIIR and PCWP. However, MED patients with CAD-3 (n = 13) had higher levels of U-IIIR, NTproANPIR (RIA), NTproBNPIR (EIA) and higher cardiac filling pressures than patients with CAD-1 (n = 13). These findings support an association between plasma U-IIIR levels and diastolic myocardial dysfunction in ischemic heart failure. The discrepancies regarding left and right cardiac filling pressures and U-IIIR levels in CABG and MED patients require further evaluation.     

IMPROV-ED trial: eHealth programme for faster recovery and reduced healthcare utilisation after CABG

Netherlands Heart Journal - After coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), healthcare utilisation is high and is partly unplanned. eHealth applications have been proposed to reduce healthcare...     

Comparison of hydroxyl radical generation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with and without cardiopulmonary bypass

We measured the hydroxyl radical (√OH) generation in fourteen patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), of whom seven patients underwent on-pump CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and seven patients underwent off-pump CABG without CPB. To detect √OH generation, we measured the urinary excretion of √OH products of creatinine (Cr), creatol (CTL; 5-hydroxycreatinine) and methylguanidine (MG) with HPLC using the one point sampling and collected urine during and after the operation. The urinary CTL value corrected urinary Cr value of on-pump CABG significantly increased about 3-5 times from the beginning of CPB to 4 h after operation compared to the baseline value before CPB in both the collected urine and the one point sampling urine. The urinary MG/Cr value in both groups did not change significantly. Significantly increased √OH generation was found during and soon after on-pump CABG.     

Appropriate use criteria for optical coherence tomography guidance in percutaneous coronary interventions

Introduction

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) enables detailed imaging of the coronary wall, lumen and intracoronary implanted devices. Responding to the lack of specific appropriate use criteria (AUC) for this technique, we conducted a literature review and a procedure for appropriate use criteria.

Methods

Twenty-one of all 184 members of the Dutch Working Group on Interventional Cardiology agreed to evaluate 49 pre-specified cases. During a meeting, factual indications were established whereupon members individually rated indications on a 9-point scale, with the opportunity to substantiate their scoring.

Results

Twenty-six indications were rated ‘Appropriate’, eighteen indications ‘May be appropriate’, and five ‘Rarely appropriate’. Use of OCT was unanimously considered ‘Appropriate’ in stent thrombosis, and ‘Appropriate’ for guidance in PCI, especially in distal left main coronary artery and proximal left anterior descending coronary artery, unexplained angiographic abnormalities, and use of bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS). OCT was considered ‘Rarely Appropriate’ on top of fractional flow reserve (FFR) for treatment indication, assessment of strut coverage, bypass anastomoses or assessment of proximal left main coronary artery.

Conclusions

The use of OCT in stent thrombosis is unanimously considered ‘Appropriate’ by these experts. Varying degrees of consensus exists on the appropriate use of OCT in other settings.

     

Long-term follow-up after bypass surgery or coronary stenting in elderly with multivessel disease

Background

We sought to compare long-term follow-up of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients with left main or multivessel disease, hypothesising that completeness of revascularisation and severity of coronary artery disease are predictors of adverse outcomes.

Methods

Patients aged ≥75 years with multivessel disease or left main disease who underwent PCI or CABG between 2012–2016 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Baseline characteristics from the index procedure were collected. Severity of coronary artery disease and completeness of revascularisation were assessed. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality, in addition we captured major adverse cardiac and cerebral events, bleedings, recurrent angina and new onset atrial fibrillation.

Results

A total of 597 patients were included. Median follow-up was 4 years (interquartile range 2.8–5.3 years). At baseline, patients in the PCI group more often had a previous medical history of CABG and more frequently underwent an urgent procedure compared with patients in the CABG group. Mortality at 5‑year follow-up was significantly higher in patients who underwent PCI compared with CABG (39.9% vs 25.4%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), repeat revascularisation and recurrent angina occurred more frequently after PCI, while occurrence of bleedings and new onset atrial fibrillation were more frequent after CABG. Neither completeness of revascularisation nor severity of coronary artery disease was a predictor for any of the outcomes.

Conclusion

Long-term mortality was higher in elderly patients with multivessel disease undergoing PCI compared with CABG. In addition, patients undergoing PCI had a higher risk of ACS, repeat revascularisation and recurrent angina.

     

冠状动脉旁路移植术后患者I期心脏康复治疗临床研究

目的：研究冠状动脉旁路移植术（coronary artery bypass grafting, CABG）后患者I 期心脏康复治疗的临床效果。方法：选取我 院收治的行CABG患者44 例,采取数字随机法分成观察组和对照组,对照组给予常规康复治疗,观察组则在对照组基础上,给予 I期心脏康复治疗,比较两组临床效果。结果：观察组康复治疗后PF、GH、MH 水平均优于对照组,且康复治疗后PF、BP、GH水平 均优于术前,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。对照组康复治疗后PF、BP、GH、MH 水平均优于术前,差异具有统计学意义（P＜ 0.05）。结论：状动脉旁路移植术（CABG）后患者I 期心脏康复治疗的临床效果显著,是一种有效的综合性康复疗法。     

冠心病强化标准化药物治疗最新进展

冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的患病人数呈逐年上升趋势,目前治疗冠心病的方法主要包括改善生活方式,药物治疗,经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)和外科冠状动脉旁路移植手术治疗(CABG)。虽然介入治疗在治疗阻塞性冠心病取得了显著的进展,但因支架再狭窄,晚期血栓形成,及未知的机制,其死亡率未见明显下降。冠状动脉旁路移植手术虽可降低死亡率,但因其为侵入性操作及手术费用的较高成本,不能为大部分患者接受。近几年来进行了一些全球多中心的临床试验研究,以评估不同诊疗方案对冠心病的预后及远期疗效。目前一些研究表明强化标准化药物治疗(optimal medical therapy,OMT)可与再血管化治疗同效。本文将针对冠心病强化标准化药物治疗方面的实验研究进展进行简要综述。