Results of Completion Arteriography After Minimally Invasive Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass

Repeat Revascularization Post Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Comparing Minimally Invasive and Traditional Sternotomy Techniques in 1468 Cases

Background: Traditional open sternotomy coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) utilizes highly invasive techniques that lead to several serious complications. In response, minimally invasive cardiac surgery CABG (MICS-CABG) was developed. MICS-CABG is safe, reproducible, and with fewer complications, while allowing for better postoperative recovery periods. There is a paucity of data exploring rates of repeat revascularization in patients post MICS-CABG compared to post traditional sternotomy CABG.

Methods: This was a retrospective billing database review examining 1468 CABG patients at a large university medical center from January 2005 to December 2017. The primary objective was to compare the rate of repeat revascularization events between MICS-CABG and traditional open sternotomy CABG over an eight-year follow-up period.

Results: Our study population consisted of 1468 patients, of whom 513 had MICS-CABG and 955 had traditional CABG. The number of patients undergoing repeat revascularization within the eight-year surveillance was 99 for MICS-CABG and 75 for traditional CABG. The Kaplan-Meier survival probability estimates for eight years were 0.86 for MICS-CABG and 0.91 for traditional CABG. The mean time until a repeat revascularization event was 84.1 months for MICS-CABG and 88.5 months for traditional CABG.

Conclusions: Traditional CABG was found to have a statistically significantly longer time to repeat revascularization than MICS-CABG. Despite the technical challenges associated with MICS-CABG, the time to repeat revascularization was different by only about four months, which may not hold large clinical significance. This suggests that MICS-CABG may have a role to play due to previous findings showing a reduction in complications while allowing for better postoperative recovery periods.

Graft patency and completeness of revascularization in minimally invasive multivessel coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVES

Graft patency and completeness of revascularization were analyzed in patients who underwent off-pump minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting via a left small thoracotomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the invasive angiography findings and clinical data of 186 consecutive patients who underwent off-pump minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting via a left small thoracotomy. The left internal thoracic artery and saphenous vein were used to bypass two or more of three coronary artery systems: the left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, or right coronary artery. Before hospital discharge, invasive angiography was performed to assess graft patency. Clinical variables during hospitalization and follow-up were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

All 186 patients successfully underwent off-pump minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without conversion to sternotomy or assistance of cardiopulmonary bypass. The mean graft number was 2.81 per patient (range, 2-5), and the total number of grafts was 522. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.6% (3 of 186). A total of 181 of 186 (97.3%) patients underwent postoperative invasive angiography. Among the 510 grafts assessed by angiography, the total graft patency rate was 96.3% (491 of 510) (98.3% [171 of 174] for left internal thoracic artery grafts and 95.2% [318 of 334] for saphenous vein grafts). The rate of complete revascularization was 99.5% (185 of 186).

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting using left internal thoracic artery and saphenous vein grafts provides acceptable graft patency and completeness of revascularization for selected patients with multivessel disease.

Repeat Revascularization After Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Is It a Problem?

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) via a small left thoracotomy is a novel technique for coronary revascularization that is increasingly used around the world. However, multivessel MICS CABG is difficult, and concerns about repeat revascularization (RR) have been raised. This longitudinal study describes the rates of RR among patients who have undergone MICS CABG and identifies targets for improvement.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was performed on the 306 MICS CABG patients operated on by a single surgeon from 2005 to 2015. Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting was performed through a small left thoracotomy, using the in situ left internal mammary artery, ± a radial artery, and 1 to 3 saphenous veins anastomosed proximally to the aorta. Patients were followed annually. We examined the difference between the first half and second half of the series to ascertain the effects of a learning curve.

RESULTS

Eighty percent of the procedures were performed off-pump. The median number of grafts performed were 2, and the left anterior descending, diagonals, obtuse marginals, and posterior interventricular artery were the distal targets in 94%, 12%, 44%, and 26%, respectively. The graftability index (#grafts/#diseased vessels) was 0.93. Revascularization of targets smaller than 1.5 mm decreased from 69% to 50% (P = 0.002) between the series' first and second halves. Overall, RR was needed in 21 patients (6.9%) and was performed at a mean ± SD of 1.7 ± 1.6 years postoperatively. The culprit lesion was attributed to the index surgical procedure ("graft-associated") in 52%, to a stent stenosis or progression of native disease in 43%, and was unidentified in 5%. Patients with graft-associated RR had a lower graftability index at operation (0.73 vs 0.94) and more frequent involvement of the circumflex system (0.8 vs 0.3). The overall rate of RR at 3 years decreased from 11% in the first half to 2.6% in the second half (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The need for RR is part of the learning curve with MICS CABG, involves a graft in half of the cases, is more common in patients who had a lower graftability index at operation, and markedly improves with experience.

Mid-Term Follow-up of Minimally Invasive Multivessel Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Is the Early Learning Phase Detrimental?

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) through a small left thoracotomy is a novel technique for surgical coronary revascularization, which is increasingly being adopted around the world. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and mid-term outcomes of a series of MICS CABG to identify areas for improvement.

METHODS

A prospective longitudinal study was performed on the 306 MICS CABG patients operated on by a single surgeon from 2005 to 2015. Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting used a small left thoracotomy to enable coronary revascularization with a similar configuration to an open sternotomy technique, with left internal thoracic artery harvesting, and hand-sewn proximal radial/saphenous and distal anastomoses, under direct visualization. We compared patients who were operated on during the first and second halves of the series to ascertain the impact of a learning curve on outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD age was 62 ± 9 years, 87% were male, and 23% had three-vessel disease. Off-pump coronary artery bypass was performed in 80%, and the median number of grafts was 2 (range 1-4). Sternotomy conversion occurred in 3.3%, reoperation for bleeding in 2%, and unplanned, emergency CPB conversion in 1%. Superficial thoracotomy infection, atrial fibrillation, and left-sided pleural effusion requiring drainage were encountered in 2%, 4%, and 4%, respectively. There were no perioperative stroke, myocardial infarction, or death. At a mean ± SD follow-up of 2.8 ± 2.5 years, 97.4% of patients were free from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Between the first and latter half of the series, there was a decrease in the rate of conversion to sternotomy (5.2%-1.3%, P = 0.05) and in the mid-term need for repeat revascularization (11% vs 2.6%, P = 0.03). Overall repeat revascularization rate was 2.5% per year. The intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay (1.6 ± 1.5 vs 1.4 ± 0.9, P = 0.2, and 6.1 ± 2.6 vs 5.6 ± 1.8, P = 0.4) were not statistically different.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting can be safely initiated as a minimally invasive, multivessel alternative to open surgical coronary revascularization, with excellent mid-term results. Learning phase effects were not observed with regard to overall procedural safety, but rather in terms of improved freedom from conversion to sternotomy and from repeat revascularization.

Minimally Invasive Multivessel Coronary Surgery and Hybrid Coronary Revascularization: Can We Routinely Achieve Less Invasive Coronary Surgery?

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the gold standard in managing severe coronary artery disease. However, it is associated with prolonged recovery and potential complications, in part due to the invasiveness of the procedure. Less invasive CABG techniques attempt to improve the quality and quantity of life in the same way as surgical revascularization but with fewer complications. Minimally invasive coronary surgery (MICS) through a small thoracotomy allows for complete revascularization with good results in graft patency. Perioperative mortality is low, and there is decreased need for blood transfusion, lower surgical site infection rates, and an earlier return to full physical function. Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) attempts to combine the advantages of coronary artery bypass grafting with those of percutaneous coronary intervention. Several studies have shown that HCR provides better short-term outcomes with regard to decreased ventilation and ICU time, reduced need for blood transfusion, and shortened hospital stay. However, the rates for major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality are comparable to conventional CABG, except for patients with a high SYNTAX score who displayed increased mortality rates. There is also strong evidence of a higher need for repeat revascularization with HCR compared to CABG. Overall, MICS and HCR appear to be viable alternatives to conventional CABG, offering a less invasive approach to coronary revascularization, which may be especially beneficial to high-risk patients. This article discusses approaches that deliver the advantages of minimally invasive surgical revascularization that can be adapted by surgeons with minimal investment with regards to training and infrastructure.

Predictors and Outcomes of Sternotomy Conversion and Cardiopulmonary Bypass Assistance in Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

OBJECTIVE

This work's objective was to identify the determinants of conversion of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting to sternotomy, with and without cardiopulmonary bypass assistance, and to compare clinical outcomes in patients who needed conversion.

METHODS

This is a prospectively collected data on patients who underwent minimally invasive coronary bypass done by a single surgeon from February 2005 to September 2014. Statistical analyses were expressed as mean values ± standard deviation or proportions.

RESULTS

The total number of patients was 266, with an average age of 62 years. The median number of grafted territories was 2, higher in those with pump assistance (median, 3 grafts; P ≤ 0.01). Predictors for use of cardiopulmonary bypass included diabetes, 3-vessel disease, left circumflex involvement, and small target vessels (P < 0.05). The rate for sternotomy conversion was 3.8%. Risk factors for conversion to sternotomy included smoking, preoperative bradycardia (<50 beats per minute), low intraoperative ejection fraction, inability to tolerate one-lung ventilation, inadequate surgical exposure, and hemodynamic instability. Postoperative complications included superficial thoracotomy infection (3%), sternotomy infection (10%), new atrial fibrillation (3%), and need for blood transfusion (14%). Twelve patients (5%) developed left-sided pleural effusion that required drainage. There were no perioperative deaths, major adverse cardiac event, or stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive coronary bypass grafting with conversion to sternotomy and use of cardiopulmonary bypass is safe. Conversions may be alleviated by an effort to optimize modifiable risk factors and the adequacy of surgical exposure. These data may help develop objective selection criteria to identify patients who are excellent candidates for the procedure.

Long-term Outcome after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Compared with Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in the Elderly

Background:

Elderly patients with unstable coronary artery disease (CAD) have better outcomes with coronary revascularization than conservative treatment. With the improvement in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) techniques using drug eluting-stents, this became an attractive option in elderly. Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS-CABG) is a safe and effective alternative to conventional CABG. We aimed to explore the long-term outcomes after PCI vs MICS-CABG in ≥75 year-old patients with severe CAD.

Methods:

A total of 1454 elderly patients (≥75 year-old patients) underwent coronary artery revascularization between January 2005 and December 2009. Patients were selected in the study if they have one of the Class-I indications for CABG. Groups were divided according to the type of procedure, PCI or MICS-CABG, and 5 year follow-up.

Results:

Among 175 elderly patients, 109 underwent PCI and 66 had MICS-CABG. There was no significant difference observed in both groups with long-term all-cause mortality (31 PCI vs 21% MICS-CABG, p=0.151) and the overall 5 year survival was similar on Kaplan-Meier curve (Log rank p=0.318). The average length of stay in hospital was significantly shorter in the PCI than in the MICS-CABG group (4.3 vs 7.8 days, p<0.001). Only 4.7% of the PCI group were discharged to rehabilitation facility compared with 43.9% of the MICS-CABG group (p<0.001). The rate of repeat revascularization was significantly higher in the PCI group than in the MICS-CABG group (15 vs 3%, p=0.014).

Conclusion:

Among elderly patients, long-term all-cause mortality is similar after PCI and MICS-CABG. However, there is a significantly higher rate of repeat revascularization after PCI.

Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting is Associated with Improved Clinical Outcomes

Objective

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) via left minithoracotomy is an alternative to off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) via sternotomy. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes after MICS CABG versus OPCAB.

Methods

The medical records of patients who underwent MICS CABG from December 2009 to December 2011 and OPCAB from January 2005 to April 2011 were reviewed. Patients who underwent OPCAB were matched 2:1 to patients who underwent MICS CABG by age, sex, preoperative ejection fraction, creatinine concentration, as well as history of diabetes and myocardial infarction.

Results

A total of 130 MICS CABG patients were matched with 260 OPCAB patients. Mean bypasses in the MICS CABG and OPCAB groups were 2.1 and 3.2, respectively ( P = 0.001). Extubation in the operating room (OR) occurred in 70.0% and 12.7% of patients in the MICS CABG and OPCAB groups, respectively ( P = 0.001). Mean postoperative length of stay was 4 days for the MICS CABG patients versus 5 days for the OPCAB patients ( P = 0.002) and 3.8 days versus 4.6 days for the MICS CABG patients extubated in the OR compared with those who remained intubated ( P = 0.007). There were no 30-day mortalities in the MICS CABG group and 1 in the OPCAB group (P= 0.999). Thirty-day readmissions were similar, with 5.4% and 7.4% in the MICS CABG and OPCAB groups, respectively ( P = 0.527).

Conclusions

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting is safe, and early clinical outcomes are comparable, if not superior in some respects, to OPCAB. Extubation in the OR is feasible, well tolerated, and associated with earlier discharge. Shorter hospital stays may decrease resource use and promote earlier return to activities; however, further research is needed.

Long-term mortality in minimally invasive compared with sternotomy coronary artery bypass surgery in the geriatric population (75 years and older patients)

OBJECTIVES

Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the elderly population. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery via sternotomy remains the standard of care for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS)-CABG via left thoracotomy has been used as an alternative to sternotomy. The aim of our study was to assess the overall survival after MICS-CABG and sternotomy-CABG in elderly patients with CAD.

METHODS

This observational study included patients who underwent coronary bypass from 2005 to 2008. Patients 75 years and older (n = 159) were included in the final analysis. Each arm was further divided into the MICS-CABG group or sternotomy-CABG group. Primary outcome and overall survival were obtained from our records and the social security death index.

RESULTS

Among patients 75 years and older (159 patients), MICS-CABG had a significantly lower 5-year all-cause mortality than sternotomy-CABG (19.7 vs 47.7%, P < 0.001). Similarly, Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly higher overall survival in the MICS-CABG group compared with sternotomy-CABG (log-rank P = 0.014). After adjusting for confounders, MICS-CABG demonstrated a lower mortality than sternotomy-CABG (HR 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.97, P = 0.04). For patients less than 75 years old, MICS and sternotomy groups had similar survival according to both uni- and multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The adjusted models demonstrated that MICS-CABG has a significantly better long-term survival than sternotomy-CABG despite slightly differing baseline characteristics. Further studies are needed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of the two approaches among the elderly population.