Comparison of two-year outcomes in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with and without peripheral artery disease

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Reduces Cardiac Death in Patients with Peripheral Arteriopathy

OBJECTIVE

 The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) may enhance early outcomes in subjects with peripheral artery disease (PAD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS

 We employed a propensity-score (PS) method to compare early postoperative results of OPCAB and on-pump CABG patients with associated PAD. The study population consisted of 1,961 patients: 284 in the OPCAB and 1,677 in the on-pump CABG group. The inverse probability of treatment weighting was used as PS method.

RESULTS

 The incidence of death (1.2% [95% confidence interval, CI: -0.9 to 3.3%], p = 0.262), stroke (2.2% [95% CI: -1.4 to 5.7%], p = 0.235), acute kidney disease (1.5% [95% CI: -3.8 to 6.8%], p = 0.586), limb ischemia (3.2% [95% CI: -0.6 to 7.0%], p = 0.315), and low output syndrome (1.2% [95% CI: -0.9 to 3.3%], p = 0.262) did not differ between the two groups. On the other hand, the rate of cardiac death (1.2% [95% CI: -0.1 to 2.3%], p = 0.038) was significantly higher in on-pump CABG group.

CONCLUSIONS

 The OPCAB procedure considerably reduced the occurrence of cardiac death after coronary revascularization. This finding might suggest that the OPCAB procedure should be considered as the first option in patients with higher cardiovascular risk scores. Further research is warranted.

Risk Factors of Midterm Mortality After Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Calcified Tricuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis: A retrospective analysis of Perioperative Events Assessment in Adult Cardiac surgery (PESSAC) Registry

OBJECTIVE

The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) initially developed for predicting early postoperative mortality of all types of cardiac surgery, is less able to predict, more specifically, long-term outcomes after aortic valve replacement (AVR). The study authors here evaluated the risk factors for three-year mortality after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe calcified tricuspid aortic valve stenosis and compared them with EuroSCORE II to predict long-term outcomes.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

A university teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

This study included 1,101 adults who underwent isolated AVR for severe calcified tricuspid aortic valve stenosis between September 2010 to June 2015.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary endpoint was that of three-year all-cause mortality after AVR. By three years, 168 patients (15.3%) had died. Risk factors for all-cause mortality were: male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21-2.62; p < 0.01), peripheral arterial disease (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.08-2.92; p = 0.03), age (OR = 1.06 per year increase; 95% CI =1.04-1.09; p < 0.01), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (OR = 1.02 per mmHg increase; 95% CI = 1.01-1.03; p < 0.01), platelet count (OR = 1.003 per G/L increase; 95% CI = 1.000-1.005; p = 0.04), and valve area (OR = 0.97 per cm²/m² increase; 95% CI= 0.95-0.99; p < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.67 (95% CI = 0.60-0.75) and 0.60 (95% CI = 0.56-0.65) for the authors' logistic regression model and EuroSCORE II, respectively (p = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

The study authors identified six independent risk factors for three-year mortality after isolated AVR. The logistic regression model had relatively modest predictive performance for three-year mortality.

Is Peripheral Artery Disease an Independent Predictor of Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Outcome?

AIM

The aim was to use a propensity score-based analysis to determine the impact of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on early outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery grafting (CABG) in patients with PAD.

METHOD

We conducted a multicentre retrospective analysis of 11,311 consecutive patients who underwent CABG between 1997 and 2017. Patients with previous or concomitant vascular surgery were excluded. The main endpoints were death, stroke, and limb ischaemia requiring percutaneous or surgical revascularisation. Subgroup analyses were performed to test the interaction of PAD with concomitant factors.

RESULTS

There was no difference in mortality in patients with and without PAD (p=0.06 and p=0.179, respectively). Patients with PAD had a greater incidence of stroke (p=0.04), acute kidney disease (p=0.003), and limb ischaemia requiring interventions (p<0.001) than those without PAD. The use of off-pump or no-touch aortic techniques did not influence the effect of PAD on the outcomes. Early mortality rate increased in patients with PAD when associated with long cardiopulmonary bypass, cross-clamp times (both p<0.001), and postoperative low cardiac output (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of PAD is associated, independently of other factors, with greater incidence of stroke, acute kidney disease, and limb ischaemia following CABG, irrespective of the technique employed. Operative mortality was greater in patients with PAD only when associated with long cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times, and low cardiac output.

The use of both internal thoracic arteries for coronary revascularization increases the estimate of post-operative lower limb ischemia in patients with peripheral artery disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with a history of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) exhibit higher rates of complications. There are conflicting data on the survival benefits for bilateral thoracic artery (BITA) grafting compared with left internal thoracic artery (LITA) CABG in patients with PAD. The aim of the study was to explore the influence of the use of BITA grafts vs. LITA for CABG on post-operative acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) and main post-operative complications in patients with concomitant PAD.

METHODS

We used a propensity-score (PS) based analysis to compare outcomes between the two surgical procedures, BITA and LITA. The inverse probability of treatment weighting PS technique was applied to adjust for pre- and intra-operative confounders, and to get optimal balancing of the pre-operative data. The primary outcome was the estimate of postoperative ALLI. Secondary outcomes included overall death and death of cardiac causes within 30 days of surgery, stroke and acute kidney disease (AKD).

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 1961 patients. The LITA procedure was performed in 1768 patients whereas 193 patients underwent a BITA technique. The estimate of ALLI was 14% higher in the BITA compared to the LITA (p < 0.001) group. Thirty-day mortality, cardiac death, occurrence of stroke and AKI did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of both ITAs led to a significant increase in ALLI. This result was most likely caused by the complete disruption of the ITA collateral providing additional blood supply to the lower extremities. Based on our data, BITA should be used with extreme caution in PAD patients. Further research on this topic is necessary to confirm our findings.

Early outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass surgery: Influence of peripheral artery disease

BACKGROUND

We carried out a propensity score-based analysis on early outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with and without peripheral artery disease (PAD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 11 311 patients undergoing isolated CABG between 1997 and 2017 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they were affected (n = 1961) or not affected (n = 9350) by PAD. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was employed to reduce confounding preoperative and operative variables. The main endpoints were death, cardiac death, stroke, and limb ischemia requiring percutaneous or surgical revascularization.

RESULTS

The excellent balance was obtained, and the groups were very similar. For death and cardiac death, there were no differences between patients with and without PAD (P = .06 and P = .179, respectively). In contrast, PAD patients showed a higher incidence of stroke (P = .04), acute kidney disease (AKD) (P = .003) and limb ischemia requiring intervention (P < .001) than patients without PAD.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of peripheral arterial disease increases the incidence of postoperative stroke, AKD and limb ischemia requiring intervention, independent of patient characteristics, concomitant risk factors, surgical approaches, and techniques. Further larger studies are necessary to confirm our findings.

Peripheral Artery Disease and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes: A Report From the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Therapy Registry

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, and PAD risk factors overlap with those for aortic stenosis. The prevalence and outcomes associated with PAD in a population undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry linked to Medicare claims data, we identified patients ≥65 years old undergoing TAVR from 2011 to 2015. We calculated hazard ratios for 1-year adverse outcomes, including mortality, readmission, and bleeding, for patients with PAD compared with those without, adjusting for baseline characteristics and postprocedure medications. Analyses were performed separately by access site (transfemoral and nontransfemoral). Of 19 660 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR, 4810 (24.5%) had PAD; 3730 (47.9%) of 7780 patients undergoing nontransfemoral TAVR had PAD. In both groups, patients with PAD were significantly more likely to have coronary and carotid artery diseases. At 1-year follow-up, patients with PAD undergoing TAVR via transfemoral access had a higher incidence of death (16.8% versus 14.4%; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.14; P=0.01), readmission (45.5% versus 42.1%; hazard ratio, 1.11; P<0.001), and bleeding (23.1% versus 19.7%; hazard ratio, 1.18; P<0.001) compared with patients without PAD. Patients with PAD undergoing TAVR via nontransfemoral access did not have significantly higher rates of 1-year mortality or readmission compared with patients without PAD.

CONCLUSIONS

PAD is common among patients undergoing commercial TAVR via transfemoral and nontransfemoral access. Among patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR, PAD is associated with a higher incidence of 1-year adverse outcomes compared with absence of PAD.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01737528.

Lower limb arterial calcification (LLAC) scores in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease are associated with increased cardiac mortality and morbidity

AIMS

The association of coronary arterial calcification with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is well-recognized. Lower limb arterial calcification (LLAC) is common in PAD but its impact on subsequent health is poorly described. We aimed to determine the association between a LLAC score and subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

METHODS

LLAC scoring, and the established Bollinger score, were derived from a database of unenhanced CT scans, from patients presenting with symptomatic PAD. We determined the association between these scores outcomes. The primary outcome was combined cardiac mortality and morbidity (CM/M) with a secondary outcome of all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

220 patients (66% male; median age 69 years) were included with follow-up for a median 46 [IQR 31-64] months. Median total LLAC scores were higher in those patients suffering a primary outcome (6831 vs. 1652; p = 0.012). Diabetes mellitus (p = 0.039), ischaemic heart disease (p = 0.028), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.026) and all-cause mortality (p = 0.012) were more common in patients in the highest quartile of LLAC scores. The area under the curve of the receiver operator curve for the LLAC score was greater (0.929: 95% CI [0.884-0.974]) than for the Bollinger score (0.824: 95% CI [0.758-0.890]) for the primary outcome. A LLAC score ≥ 4400 had the best diagnostic accuracy to determine the outcome measure.

CONCLUSION

This is the largest study to investigate links between lower limb arterial calcification and cardiovascular events in symptomatic PAD. We describe a straightforward, reproducible, CT-derived measure of calcification-the LLAC score.

Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Coronary Surgical Revascularization: Prognostic Impact on Long-Term Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome complicated by left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF) are a poor prognosis group. The aim of our study was to assess the short and long term LEVF prognostic value in a cohort of NSTE-ACS patients undergoing surgical revascularization.

METHODS

We performed elective and isolated CABG on a cohort of 206 consecutive patients with LVEF≤0.40 complicating acute coronary syndrome. The case cohort was compared with a cohort of controls (LVEF>0.40) randomly selected (2:1) among patients who underwent the procedure during this period.

RESULTS

The Kaplan-Meier 5-year estimated survival rates for patients in the low and normal LVEF groups were 70.8% (95% confidence interval CI: 64.2-77.4) and 81.7% (95%CI: 77.8-85.6), respectively. A low LVEF was associated with both a higher all-cause (HR [95%CI] = 1.84[1.18-2.86]) and a higher cardiovascular mortality (HR = 2.07 [1.27-3.38]) during the first 12 months of follow-up. After adjustment for potential confounders, a low LVEF remained associated with a higher cardiovascular mortality only (1.87[1.03-3.38]) during the first 12 months of follow-up. After 12 months of follow-up, a low LVEF was no more associated with all-cause, nor cardiovascular mortality.

CONCLUSION

Patients with low LVEF might require more intensive care than patients with normal LVEF during the year after the surgical procedure, but once the first postoperative year over, the initial low LVEF was no more associated with long term mortality.

Peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities

Persons with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at increased risk for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and mortality from coronary artery disease. Smoking should be stopped and hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism treated. Statins reduce the incidence of intermittent claudication and improve exercise duration until the onset of intermittent claudication in persons with PAD and hypercholesterolemia. The serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol should be reduced to < 70 mg/dl. Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin or clopidogrel, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and statins should be given to persons with PAD. β-Blockers should be given if coronary artery disease is present. Cilostazol improves exercise time until intermittent claudication. Exercise rehabilitation programs should be used. Revascularization should be performed if indicated.