Complete Versus Incomplete Coronary Revascularization of Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease

Impact of More Than 1 Distal Anastomosis on the Same Territory in 3-Vessel Disease Patients

BACKGROUND

Previous studies defined complete revascularization as the placement of at least 1 bypass graft to each diseased coronary territory. This study was conducted to evaluate whether putting more than 1 graft to each diseased coronary territory is beneficial for patients with 3-vessel disease (3VD) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS

Among 1859 patients who underwent primary isolated CABG, 1008 patients (male-to-female ratio, 841:239; mean age, 67.0 ± 9.3 years) who underwent OPCAB for 3VD and in whom complete revascularization was achieved were retrospectively enrolled. Complete revascularization was defined as at least 1 graft to each coronary artery territory. The median follow-up duration was 86.6 months (interquartile range, 53.0-126.9).

RESULTS

A total of 829 patients (82.2%) had more than 3 distal anastomoses, whereas the other 179 patients had 3 distal anastomoses. Hypertension (n = 729; 72.3%) and diabetes (n = 556; 55.2%) were the most common comorbidities without any intergroup differences. The early mortality rate was 1.0% (n = 10). Late death occurred in 337 of 998 early survivors. Five- and 10-year all-cause mortality rates were 18.0% and 36.0%, respectively. Cumulative incidences of cardiac deaths were 5.2% and 9.2%, respectively. The inverse probability treatment weighting-adjusted multivariate analyses showed that having more than 3 distal anastomoses was associated with lower all-cause mortality and cardiac death (hazard ratio, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.57-0.99] and hazard ratio, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.31-0.83], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Grafting more than 1 diseased vessel in each diseased coronary territory during CABG may be beneficial for patients with 3VD in terms of all-cause mortality and cardiac death.

Impact of Complete or Incomplete Revascularization for Left Main Coronary Disease: The Extended PRECOMBAT Study

Background

Whether complete revascularization (CR) or incomplete revascularization (IR) may affect long-term outcomes after PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease is unclear.

Objectives

The authors sought to assess the impact of CR or IR on 10-year outcomes after PCI or CABG for LMCA disease.

Methods

In the PRECOMBAT (Premier of Randomized Comparison of Bypass Surgery versus Angioplasty Using Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients with Left Main Coronary Artery Disease) 10-year extended study, the authors evaluated the effect of PCI and CABG on long-term outcomes according to completeness of revascularization. The primary outcome was the incidence of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (composite of mortality from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke, or ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization).

Results

Among 600 randomized patients (PCI, n = 300 and CABG, n = 300), 416 patients (69.3%) had CR and 184 (30.7%) had IR; 68.3% of PCI patients and 70.3% of CABG patients underwent CR, respectively. The 10-year MACCE rates were not significantly different between PCI and CABG among patients with CR (27.8% vs 25.1%, respectively; adjusted HR: 1.19; 95% CI: 0.81-1.73) and among those with IR (31.6% vs 21.3%, respectively; adjusted HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 0.92-2.92) (P for interaction = 0.35). There was also no significant interaction between the status of CR and the relative effect of PCI and CABG on all-cause mortality, serious composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, and repeat revascularization.

Conclusions

In this 10-year follow-up of PRECOMBAT, the authors found no significant difference between PCI and CABG in the rates of MACCE and all-cause mortality according to CR or IR status. (Ten-Year Outcomes of PRE-COMBAT Trial [PRECOMBAT], NCT03871127; PREmier of Randomized COMparison of Bypass Surgery Versus AngioplasTy Using Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease [PRECOMBAT], NCT00422968).

Efficacy of INtensive Treatment vs. Standard Treatment of COmpound DanshEn Dripping Pills in Refractory Angina Patients With Incomplete Revascularization (INCODER Study): Study Protocol for a Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled, Superiority Trial

Introduction

Patients with incomplete revascularization (ICR) tend to develop refractory angina despite optimal medical therapy. The Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP) is a widely used antianginal drug in China and is shown to significantly alleviate myocardial ischemia. Previous studies showed dose-efficacy tendency when increasing doses of CDDP. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of intensive doses of CDDP in patients with refractory angina with ICR.

Methods and Analysis

The INCODER study is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled, superiority trial. We plan to recruit 250 patients aged 18–85 years with a diagnosis of refractory angina with ICR. Patients will be randomized (1:1) to intensive treatment group (CDDP 20 pills three times per day) or standard treatment group (10 pills CDDP and 10 pills placebo three times per day). Patients will have a 6-week medication period and be followed up every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint is the change of total exercise time from baseline to week 6 as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Secondary endpoints include changes in the frequency of angina, Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina class, nitroglycerin use, Seattle Angina Questionnaire scores, peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) and other parameters as measured by CPET, and the levels of plasma C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Safety events related to CDDP use will be monitored.

Ethics and Dissemination

The research had been approved by the Clinical research and laboratory animal ethics committee of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University ([2019]65). The results will be reported through peer-reviewed journals, seminars, and conference presentations.

Trial Registration Number

www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000032384). Registered on 27 April 2020.

Patients Submitted to Myocardial Revascularization with the Use of Bilateral Internal Thoracic Arteries: Diabetics vs. Non-Diabetics

INTRODUCTION

Use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) as graft in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is controversial because it is related to higher in-hospital mortality, incidence of sternal wound-related infection, and an increase in surgical time. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate in-hospital mortality and mortality within 30 days from discharge. The secondary objective is to evaluate the occurrence of deep sternal wound infection in a 90-day follow-up.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of the medical records of 152 patients undergoing elective CABG with the use of BITA and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). These patients were divided into two groups, diabetics and non-diabetics. Patients with acute myocardial infarction and concomitant valvular disease were not included in the sample.

RESULTS

Preoperative characteristics did not show significant differences between the groups, which allowed a comparative analysis. The variables electrocardiography time and aortic clamping time were higher in the diabetic group, with a significant statistical difference (P<0.0001). In-hospital mortality occurred in three patients, and there was no mortality up to 30 days in both groups. There was no significant difference in the primary end point between groups (P=0.56). Deep sternal wound infection was present in only one patient and showed no significant difference in the secondary outcome between groups (P=0.40).

CONCLUSION

We did not observe a higher mortality and occurrence of deep sternal wound infection with the use of BITA in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetics, even with greater CPB and aortic clamping times in diabetics.

Complete revascularization during coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with reduced major adverse events

OBJECTIVE

Complete revascularization literature is limited by variance in patient cohorts and inconsistent definitions. The objective of the current study was to provide risk-adjusted outcomes for complete revascularization of significant nonmain-branch and main-branch vessel stenoses.

METHODS

All patients that underwent first-time isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures were included. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, cumulative incidence function, and Cox regression were used to analyze outcomes.

RESULTS

The total population consisted of 3356 patients that underwent first-time isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Eight hundred eighty-nine (26.5%) patients had incomplete and 2467 (73.5%) had complete revascularization. For main-branch vessels, 677 (20.2%) patients had incomplete revascularization and 2679 (79.8%) were completely revascularized. Following risk adjustment with inverse probability treatment weighting, all baseline characteristics were balanced (standardized mean difference, ≤ 0.10). On Kaplan-Meier estimates, survival at 1 year (94.6% vs 92.5%) and 5 years (86.5% vs 82.1%) (P = .05) was significantly better for patients who received complete revascularization. Freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was significantly higher for the complete revascularization cohort at both 1 year (89.2% vs 84.2%) and 5 years (72.5% vs 66.7%) (P < .001). Complete revascularization (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.95; P = .01) was independently associated with a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Incomplete revascularization of nonmain-branch vessels was not associated with mortality (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.8; P = .55) or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.24; P = .52).

CONCLUSIONS

Complete surgical revascularization of all angiographically stenotic vessels in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease is associated with fewer major adverse events. Incomplete revascularization of nonmain-branch vessels is not associated with survival or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

Bilateral vs Single Internal Mammary Artery Grafts for Coronary Artery Bypass in the United States

BACKGROUND

The use of the bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) in coronary artery bypass grafting remains controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes using the BIMA vs the single internal mammary artery (SIMA) in the United States.

METHODS

Medicare beneficiaries who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery using the SIMA or BIMA from 1999 to 2010 were included in this retrospective study, with follow-up through 2014. Greedy matching algorithms were used for 1:4 matching on propensity score based on age, gender, year of surgery, and comorbidities. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed. The primary outcome was death from any cause.

RESULTS

A total of 1,156,339 and 25,005 patients who were 72 ± 7.6 years of age and 70.3 ± 7.9 years of age underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery using SIMA and BIMA, respectively. Matching created comparable groups with 95,780 SIMA and 24,160 BIMA patients. Matched median survival using SIMA vs BIMA was 11.8 vs 12.4 years (P < .001) and 9.6 vs 10 years in diabetic patients (P = .006), respectively. At 10 years of follow-up, the respective survival rates of using SIMA vs BIMA were 58.3% vs 61.1%, respectively. The stratified matched median survival using SIMA vs BIMA with 1, 2, 3, and 4 or more aortocoronary bypasses were 11.8 vs 12.3 years (P = .005), 11.7 vs 12.5 years (P < .001), 11.9 vs 12.3 years (P = .01), and 11.4 vs 12 years (P = .02), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery using the BIMA rather than the SIMA was associated with improved long-term survival. This survival advantage was independent of aortocoronary bypass grafts or patient diabetes status.

Complete Revascularization in Acute and Chronic Coronary Syndrome

In patients with multivessel disease, complete revascularization (CR) is the most biologically plausible approach irrespective of definition or type or clinical setting (acute or chronic coronary syndrome [ACS or CCS]). It aims at minimizing residual ischemia, relieving symptoms and reducing the risk of future cardiovascular events. Large evidence supports CR benefits in ACS, predominantly ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, except cardiogenic shock, although optimal assessment and timing remain debated. In patients with CCS, when revascularization is indicated, a functional CR should be attempted. Therefore, heart-team is crucial in selecting the ideal strategy for each patient to optimize decision-making.

Clinical expert consensus document on the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist support devices during complex high-risk indicated PCI: Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology Working Group Endorsed by Spanish and Portuguese Interventional Cardiology Societies

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is establishing as the last remaining revascularization option in an increasing number of patients affected by complex coronary artery disease not suitable for surgery. Over the past decade, percutaneous left ventricular assist device (pLVAD) has increasingly replaced intra-aortic balloon pump to provide hemodynamic support during such non-emergent complex high-risk indicated procedures (CHIP) averting the risk of circulatory collapse and of adverse events in long lasting and/or complicated procedures. This review article aims to report the key factors to define CHIP, to summarize the available pLVAD which have CE mark for temporary mechanical LV support and to discuss the rationale of their use in this subset of patients. Based on the expertise of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology working group, with the endorsement from Spanish and Portuguese Society of Interventional Cardiology working groups, it will provide several practical suggestions in regards to the use of pLVAD in different clinical CHIP scenarios.

Physiologic assessment of moderate coronary lesions: a step towards complete revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting

Background

An accurate diagnostic assessment of coronary artery disease is crucial for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) to guide complete revascularization have not been adequately studied in patients prior to CABG. We compared an anatomic to a physiologic assessment of moderate coronary lesions (40-70% stenosis) in patients referred for CABG.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 109 medical records of patients who underwent CABG at Tulane Medical Center from 2014 to 2016. Patients were divided into an FFR/iFR-guided and an angiography-guided group. Clinical characteristics, procedural outcomes, and clinical outcomes for the two groups were compared over an 18-month follow-up period.

Results

There were significantly higher rates of three-vessel anastomoses (85.7% vs. 74.7%, P<0.05) and venous grafting (85.7% vs. 76.8%, P<0.05) in the FFR/iFR group. The FFR/iFR group had a lower rate of grafts placed to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) distribution than the angiography group (7.1% vs. 29.5%, P<0.05). The FFR/iFR group had a higher rate of grafts placed to the left circumflex (LCx) artery distribution than the angiography group (28.6% vs. 9.5%, P<0.05). We observed a trend toward reduction in major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) (7.1% vs. 11.6%, P=0.369) and angina (0.0% vs. 6.3%, P=0.429) in the FFR/iFR group compared to the angiography group over 18 months.

Conclusions

Physiologic assessment of coronary lesions can effectively guide complete revascularization in patients undergoing CABG. Moreover, FFR/iFR-guided CABG was associated with significantly higher rates of three-vessel anastomoses, venous grafting, and graft distribution to the circumflex system.

The midterm results of coronary endarterectomy in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Diffuse coronary artery disease is a challenge for both percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Coronary artery endarterectomy (CE) coupled with CABG is an alternative method to achieve complete revascularization. The mid- and long-term results of CE are largely questionable. The aim is to evaluate the early and mid-term graft patency of concomitant coronary artery endarterectomy and CABG.

METHODS

A total of 304 patients who had undergone concomitant CE and CABG for diffuse coronary artery disease were identified from our database. A total of 238 patients (1) with complete operative records, (2) with good graft flow during surgery, (3) who were discharged, (4) with a one-year/ three-year follow-up were included in our study. The follow-up information was obtained directly from our out-patient department and by telephone contact. The categorical and continuous values were analyzed by Chi Square test and student's test respectively.

RESULTS

CE was performed on 238 patients who represented a total of 269 target coronary vessels. The mean age of the patients was 67.8 ± 6.8 years old; male to female patient ratio was 170:68. The mean intensive care unit stay was 1.7 ± 8 days, and mean post-operative length of hospital stay was 11 ± 3 days. The average follow up time was 41.8 ± 21.4 months. At follow-up, the overall graft patency was 78.4% at one year and 69.8% at three years. The left coronary graft patency rate was significantly higher than the right coronary graft patency rate (87.4% vs 73.1% at one-year and 78.2% vs 64.8% at three years). There was no significant difference in graft patency rates between the on-pump CE + CABG vs off-pump CE + CABG groups at one year (80.0% vs 76.9%) and at three years (92.3% vs 91.7%). At the one-year follow up, 92.3% of grafts showed grade A patency in the on-pump group versus 91.7% in the off-pump group; 7.7% of grafts showed grade B patency in the on-pump group versus 8.3% in the off-pump group. At the three-year follow up, 80.6% of grafts showed grade A patency in the on-pump group versus 77.4% in the off-pump group; 19.4% of grafts showed grade B patency in the on-pump group versus 22.6% in the off -pump group. The Predictors of better graft patency are use of LIMA graft, CE on LAD, and intra-operative graft flow meter and PI.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with diffuse coronary disease, CE is a safe and feasible technique for a select group of patients with excellent mid-term survival rates and graft patency rates. CE produces better overall results when performed on the LAD, and grafted over with the LIMA. Similar outcomes are obtained with both on-pump and off-pump surgery. For a select group of patients, coronary endarterectomy (CE) offers an alternative choice of coronary artery reconstruction and complete coronary revascularization.

Incomplete revascularization and long-term survival after coronary artery bypass surgery

BACKGROUND

We sought to investigate the impact of incomplete revascularization (IR) on long-term survival after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The possible interaction between IR and off-pump surgery was also explored.

METHODS

A total of 13,701 patients with multivessel disease undergoing CABG were included in the analysis. All patients received left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) territory. IR was defined as at least one diseased arterial territory (right coronary artery [RCA] and/or circumflex [CX] artery) incompletely revascularized.

RESULTS

Overall, 3107 (22.7%) patients received IR. After propensity score matching, IR did not increase all-cause death in the overall group (HR 1.09; 95%CI 0.96-1.22; P=0.17). However, when both RCA and CX artery were incompletely revascularized, late survival was significantly lower (HR 2.15; 95%CI 1.57-2.93). IR was associated with a higher risk of death after off-pump (HR 1.26; 95%CI 1.05-1.49) regardless the extent of IR. After on-pump, IR significantly affected survival only when both RCA and CX artery only were incompletely revascularized (HR 2.32; 95%CI 1.27-4.22).

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis shows that in patients with LITA-LAD graft the impact of IR on survival is marginal when only one coronary territory is left ungrafted. When both the RCA and CX territory remain unrevascularized the survival rate is significantly reduced. IR after off-pump CABG is associated with significantly lower survival and affects long-term outcome even when only one coronary territory is not revascularized.

Coronary Surgery in Women and the Challenges We Face

This review was undertaken to understand the dynamics that have shaped our current treatment of women who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and summarize the current literature on surgical revascularization in women. There has been improved access to CABG over the past several decades. Despite this, compared with men, CABG in women involves fewer grafts and less frequent use of arterial grafts, the latter having improved long-term patency compared with saphenous vein grafts. We attempt to determine whether the adverse clinical profile of women, when referred for CABG is responsible for this finding. Female coronary anatomy and pathophysiology are reviewed and an attempt is made to understand how this might affect decisions of selection and outcome measures post CABG. We review the short-term, long-term, and quality of life outcomes in women. These data are taken from large databases, as well as from more recent publications. Randomized controlled trial data and meta-analytic data are used when available. Differential use of and outcomes of surgical strategies, including off-pump CABG and total arterial revascularization, are contrasted with those in men. This review shows that there continues to be widespread differences in surgical approach to coronary artery disease in female vs male patients. We provide evidence suggestive of the existence of issues specific to women that affect selection for surgical procedures and outcomes in women. More work is required to understand the reason for these differences and how to optimize sex-specific outcomes.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting versus optimal medical therapy alone: effectiveness of incomplete revascularization in high risk patients

Background

Geriatric patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) are a challenging group to treat; these cases elicit discussion within heart teams regarding the actual benefit of undertaking major surgery on these patients and often lead to abandon the surgical option. Percutaneous procedures represent an important option, but coronary anatomy may be unfavorable. Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) provides good quality graft on left anterior descending (LAD) without exposing the patient to cardiopulmonary bypass, and might be the ideal choice in patients with multiple comorbidities, not eligible to percutaneous or on-pump procedures. The objective of this study was to compare survival during a mid-term follow-up in high-risk patients with no percutaneous alternative, either treated with OPCAB or discharged in medical therapy.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated from June 2008 to June 2013, 83 high-risk patients with multivessel CAD were included: 42 were treated with incomplete off-pump revascularization using left internal mammary artery (LIMA) on LAD; 41 were discharged in optimal medical therapy (OMT), having refused surgery. Follow-up ended in March 2015, with a telephonic interview. Primary endpoint was survival from all-cause mortality; secondary endpoints were survival from cardiac-related mortality and freedom from non-fatal major adverse cardiac events (MACEs).

Results

During follow up, 11 deaths in OPCAB group and 27 deaths in OMT group occurred. Death was due to cardiac factors in 6 and 15 patients, respectively. MACEs were observed in 6 patients in OPCAB group and in 4 patients in OMT group. With regards to survival from all-cause mortality, patients who underwent OPCAB survived more than those discharged in OMT (Log Rank < 0.001), and OMT group carries a propensity score-adjusted hazard ratio of 3.862 (P < 0.001). With regards to survival from cardiac-related events, patients who underwent OPCAB survived more than those discharged in OMT (Log Rank = 0.002), and OMT group carries a propensity score-adjusted hazard ratio of 3.663 (P = 0.010). There is no statistically significant difference concerning freedom from MACEs (Log Rank = 0.273).

Conclusions

For high-risk patients with multivessel CAD, not eligible to on-pump complete revascularization surgery or percutaneous procedures, incomplete revascularization with OPCAB LIMA-on-LAD offers benefits in survival when compared to OMT alone.