Anatomy-based eligibility measure for robotic-assisted bypass surgery

Robotic Beating-Heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass: Impact of Chest Wall Dimensions in Single and Multivessel Bypass

OBJECTIVE

There can be anatomical constraints on patient selection for minimally invasive surgery. For example, robot-assisted coronary artery bypass was reported to be more challenging when patients had a cardiothoracic ratio >50% and a sternum-vertebra anteroposterior and transverse diameter ratio <0.45. We sought to examine the impact of chest wall anatomic parameters on surgical outcomes in our totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) procedures.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent robotic TECAB, all of whom had a preoperative chest radiograph at our institution from July 2017 to October 2021. The cohort was divided into 2 groups, which were patients undergoing single-vessel grafting using the left internal thoracic artery (ITA; group 1) and patients undergoing multivessel grafting with bilateral ITA grafts (group 2). We measured several anatomical parameters from the preoperative chest radiograph.

RESULTS

A total of 352 patients undergoing TECAB were retrospectively analyzed. After exclusions, 193 were included in this study. In group 1 (n = 91), no parameters correlated with operative time. In group 2 (n = 102), a significant negative correlation was observed between operative time and the sternum-vertebrae anteroposterior diameter (rs = -0.228, P = 0.022) and lung anteroposterior diameter (rs = -0.246, P = 0.013). To confirm these results in group 2, a propensity-matched analysis was performed and showed a statistically significant difference in surgical time based on chest anteroposterior diameters.

CONCLUSIONS

In single-vessel robotic TECAB, chest wall anatomic dimensions measured on chest radiograph did not affect operative time. In multivessel cases with bilateral ITA grafts, larger anteroposterior diameter correlated with shorter operative times.

Predictors and outcomes of conversion to sternotomy in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting

Background

This study aims to investigate the risk factors and surgical outcomes of conversion to median sternotomy in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods

Between January 2017 and July 2022, a total of 274 patients (246 males, 28 females; mean age: 57.0±9.6 years; range, 33 to 81 years) who underwent conventional (n=116) or robot-assisted (n=158) minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome measure of the study was conversion to median sternotomy, and the secondary outcome measures were operative mortality, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay.

Results

Conversion to median sternotomy was required in 26 (9.5%) patients. The most common cause of conversion was intramyocardial left anterior descending artery (27.0%). Among preoperative and operative characteristics, only age was statistically significant risk factor for conversion to sternotomy (odds ratio=1.06, p=0.01). Operative mortality occurred in one patient (0.36%) patient in the entire cohort. The length of intensive care unit and hospital stay was significantly longer in patients requiring conversion to median sternotomy (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in other postoperative outcomes between the two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Intramyocardial left anterior descending artery is the most common reason for conversion to sternotomy, and older age increases the risk of conversion. Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed with satisfactory results, even if it requires conversion to sternotomy.

Use of computed tomography (CT) for preoperative planning in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

Surgical planning for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be enhanced with the use of computed tomographic (CT) imaging to better understand the surgical field for optimal conduct of the case as well as risk assessment for outcomes. CABG via primary sternotomy, redo sternotomy, and minimally-invasive thoracotomy each pose unique surgical considerations and risks that can be better characterized with a preoperative CT scan. CT and CT angiographic (CTA) techniques with or without intravenous (IV) contrast can provide a noninvasive assessment of the vascular and bony structures and direct surgical planning techniques. Herein we discuss the role of CT/CTA imaging of the chest in preoperative planning of different strategies of CABG.

Multidisciplinary approach to coronary artery revascularization: Optimal strategy for high-risk patients

High-risk patients that are not candidates for conventional coronary artery bypass grafting surgery can undergo coronary artery revascularization through less invasive procedures. Hybrid approaches have emerged to address coronary artery disease in this subset of patients. This case report highlights the successful application of a multidisciplinary heart team approach for hybrid coronary revascularization in a very high-risk patient with complex coronary anatomy, who would not otherwise be a candidate for conventional modalities of revascularization. The optimal workup, selection criteria based on anatomy, anticoagulation strategies, and timing of intervention of hybrid coronary revascularization are outlined in this case report.

Reason and Timing for Conversion to Sternotomy in Robotic-Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Patient Outcomes

Objective

Conversion to sternotomy is a primary bailout method for robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. The aims of this study were to identify the primary reasons for conversion from robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting to sternotomy and to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes in such patients.

Methods

Prospectively collected data from February 2004 to April 2017 were reviewed for 72 patients (56 men; mean age = 63.8 years) who required conversion to sternotomy during a robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting procedure with planned endoscopic left internal thoracic artery harvest and anastomosis to the left anterior descending on the beating heart.

Results

The overall rate of conversion was 12.4% (72/581). Conversions occurred either during attempted endoscopic left internal thoracic artery harvest (31.9%), during endoscopic left anterior descending isolation (40.3%), during manual isolation and anastomosis of the left anterior descending (19.4%), or after anastomosis due to unsatisfactory flow (8.3%). Overall, the most common reason for conversion was an intramyocardial left anterior descending (43.1%). The median stay in the intensive care unit was 1 day (range = 0–20) and the median hospital length of stay was 5 days (range = 3–43). In-hospital complications included new atrial fibrillation (16.7%), need for blood transfusion (20.8%), mediastinitis (4.2%), postoperative myocardial infarction (2.8%), exploration for bleeding (2.8%), and 1 in-hospital death.

Conclusions

The reasons for conversion were primarily related to anatomical factors that created difficulties for endoscopic left internal thoracic artery harvesting and left anterior descending identification. Patients who required conversion to sternotomy from robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting demonstrated acceptable outcomes and low complication rates.

A Novel Approach Using Computed Tomography Angiograms to Predict Sternotomy or Complicated Anastomosis in Patients Undergoing Robotically Assisted Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass

OBJECTIVE

Robotically assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass is an alternative to sternotomy-based surgery in properly selected patients. Identifying the left anterior descending artery when it is deep in the epicardial fat can be particularly challenging through a 5- to 6-cm mini-thoracotomy incision. The objective of this study was to evaluate a technique for predicting conversion to sternotomy or complicated left anterior descending artery anastomosis using preoperative cardiac-gated computed tomography angiograms.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 75 patients who underwent robotically assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass for whom a preoperative computed tomography angiogram was available. The distance from the left anterior descending artery to the myocardium was measured on a standardized "5-chamber" axial computed tomography view. The relative risk of sternotomy or complicated anastomosis was compared between patients whose left anterior descending artery was resting directly on the myocardium (left anterior descending artery to the myocardium distance = 0 mm) with those whose left anterior descending artery was resting above (left anterior descending artery to the myocardium distance > 0 mm).

RESULTS

The average left anterior descending artery to the myocardium distance was 3.2 ± 2.6 mm (range = 0-11.5 mm). Fourteen patients (18.7%) had an left anterior descending artery to the myocardium distance of 0 mm. Of the entire group of 75 patients, 6 (8.0%) required conversion to sternotomy. Four others (5.3%) were reported to have a complication with the anastomosis intraoperatively. For patients with left anterior descending artery to the myocardium distance of 0 mm, the relative risk of sternotomy or complicated anastomosis was 18.0 (95% confidence interval = 4.3-75.6, P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, patients with left anterior descending artery to the myocardium distance of 0 mm were at significantly higher risk of either conversion to sternotomy or technically challenging anastomosis, with 8 (57.1%) of 14 patients in this group experiencing either end point. This novel measurement may be useful to identify patients who may have anatomy, which is not well suited to the robotically assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass approach.

Robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery: an 18-year single-centre experience

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive robot-assisted direct coronary artery bypass (RADCAB) has emerged as a feasible minimally invasive surgical technique for revascularization that might offer several potential advantages over conventional approaches. We present our 18-year experience in RADCAB.

METHODS

Between February 1998 and February 2016, 605 patients underwent RADCAB. Patients underwent post-procedural selective graft patency assessment using cardiac catheterization.

RESULTS

The mortality rate was 0.3%. The rate of conversion to sternotomy for any cause was reduced from 16.0% of the first 200 cases to 6.9% of the last 405 patients. The patency rate of the LITA-to-LAD anastomosis was 97.4%. Surgical re-exploration for bleeding occurred in 1.8% of patients, and the transfusion rate was 9.2%. Average ICU stay was 1.2 ± 1.4 days, and average hospital stay was 4.8 ± 2.9 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Robot-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting is safe, feasible and it seems to represent an effective alternative to traditional coronary artery bypass grafting in selected patients.

Medical robots in cardiac surgery - application and perspectives

Medical robots offer new standards and opportunities for treatment. This paper presents a review of the literature and market information on the current situation and future perspectives for the applications of robots in cardiac surgery. Currently in the United States, only 10% of thoracic surgical procedures are conducted using robots, while globally this value remains below 1%. Cardiac and thoracic surgeons use robotic surgical systems increasingly often. The goal is to perform more than one hundred thousand minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures every year. A surgical robot can be used by surgical teams on a rotational basis. The market of surgical robots used for cardiovascular and lung surgery was worth 72.2 million dollars in 2014 and is anticipated to reach 2.2 billion dollars by 2021. The analysis shows that Poland should have more than 30 surgical robots. Moreover, Polish medical teams are ready for the introduction of several robots into the field of cardiac surgery. We hope that this market will accommodate the Polish Robin Heart robots as well.

Consequences of Hybrid Procedure Addition to Robotic-Assisted Direct Coronary Artery Bypass

Objective

Patients postcoronary artery revascularization surgery often receives blood product transfusion, which could delay their intensive care unit and hospital discharge. We investigated our robotic-assisted direct coronary artery bypass (RADCAB) transfusion rate to determine whether performing the minimal invasive coronary surgery with percutaneous coronary intervention in one stage would increase the incidence of blood transfusion, morbidity, and length of stay.

Methods

Between November 2003 and November 2015, 483 consecutive patients underwent RADCAB surgery. They were divided into two groups. Group 1 (147 patients; mean ± SD age, 61.2 ± 11 years; 23% females) underwent robotic-assisted hybrid coronary artery revascularization with left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending coronary artery with percutaneous coronary intervention to a nonleft anterior descending coronary artery vessel in the same stage. Group 2 (336 patients; mean ± SD age, 61.2 ± 10.5 years; 25% females) underwent nonhybrid RADCAB. Early and late postoperative follow-up at mean ± SD of 83.6 ±11.1 months was obtained.

Results

Blood transfusion rate in group 1 was statistically different, as illustrated in Table 2. Based on the intraoperative cardiac catheterization, the incidence of graft revision was higher in the nonhybrid group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of renal failure, neurological complication, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and gastrointestinal bleed.

Conclusions

Despite similar preoperative demographics in the two groups, we have observed a significant difference in the blood transfusion rate in group 1. However, this did not lead into a statistically significant re-exploration rate for bleeding. Hence, we assume that dual antiplatelet therapy usage in the hybrid group might be the cause of the increase in blood transfusion rate. Nevertheless, it did not affect postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay. A randomized multicenter clinical trial is needed.

Eligibility for Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass: Examination of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Using Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE

A variable that necessitates conversion to a conventional full-sternotomy coronary artery bypass procedure from a robotic-assisted endoscopic single-vessel small thoracotomy is the inability to visualize the left anterior descending coronary artery within the surrounding epicardial adipose tissue using the endoscopic camera. The purpose of this study was to determine whether anatomical properties of the epicardial adipose tissue examined using preoperative computed tomography (CT) images are able to predict and thus reduce the need for intraoperative conversion based on effective preoperative exclusion criteria.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patient preoperative CT angiography scans from both converted (n = 17) and successful robotic-assisted (n = 17) procedures was performed. Where possible, measurements of epicardial adipose tissue were acquired from axial slices, at the most accessible segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

RESULTS

Results indicate that patients who successfully underwent the endoscopic single-vessel small thoracotomy procedure (mean ± SD depth, 4.9 ± 1.9 mm) had significantly less epicardial adipose tissue (38%, P = 0.002) overlying the vessel toward the lateral chest wall than those who were converted to the full-sternotomy approach intraoperatively (mean ± SD depth, 7.9 ± 3.2 mm). Using this as a retrospective exclusion criterion reduces the conversion rate for this group by 47%, while maintaining a high specificity (94%). No significant differences exist between the two groups with respect to the remaining epicardial adipose tissue measurements or body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of CT angiography measurements of the epicardial adipose tissue overlying the left anterior descending coronary artery may enhance preoperative surgical planning for this procedure, thereby reducing the instances of procedural changes.

Robot-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting improves short-term outcomes compared with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND

Robot-assisted coronary artery bypass grafts (RACAB) utilizing the da Vinci surgical system are increasingly used and allow the surgeon to conveniently harvest internal mammary arteries (IMAs). The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of off-pump RACAB and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) in the short and medium term.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of 132 patients with single- or multiple-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent minimally invasive off-pump CABG (OPCAB) between May 2009 and May 2014. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach, MIDCAB and RACAB group. The anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was performed as regular OPCAB through the incision on the beating heart using regular stabilization devices (Genzyme Corporation). The preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up data, including major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), were compared.

RESULTS

The preoperative data were similar. RACAB significantly shorten the intensive care unit (ICU) stay and postoperative compared with the MIDCAB group (P<0.05). There were 12 (19.7%) patients treated with a two-stage hybrid procedure in the MIDCAB group and 34 (47.9%) patients in the RACAB group (P=0.001). Thirty-day mortality was 1.6% in the MIDCAB group. There were 9 (14.7%) MIDCAB patients and 2 (2.8%) RACAB patients (P=0.013) that developed new arrhythmia. The two groups showed comparable mid-term survival (P=0.246), but the MACCEs were significantly different (P=0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

RACAB may be a valuable alternative for patients requiring single or simple multi-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Although the mid-term mortality outcomes are similar, RACAB improves short-term outcomes and mid-term MACCE-free survival compared with MIDCAB.