Minimally invasive cardiac surgeries are the trend in the future. Among them, robotic cardiac surgery is the latest iteration with several key-hole incision, 3-dimentional visualization, and articulated instrumentation of 7 degree of ergonomic freedom for those complex procedures in the heart. In particular, robotic mitral valve surgery, as well as coronary artery bypass grafting, has evolved over the last decade and become the preferred method at certain specialized centers worldwide because of excellent results. Other cardiac procedures are in various stages of evolution. Stepwise innovation of robotic technology will continue to make robotic operations simpler, more efficient, and less invasive, which will encourage more surgeons to take up this technology and extend the benefits of robotic surgery to a larger patient population.
ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of myocardial vitality in the improvement of cardiac function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with ischemic heart failure.MethodsFrom December 8, 2015 to November 12, 2018, 46 patients with ischemic heart failure who underwent CABG operation alone were collected retrospectively. There were 41 males and 5 females with an average age of 60.4±8.0 years. The myocardial vitality and number of different types of myocardium were measured. The clinical data of patients in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement group (≥5%) and non-improvement group (<5%) were compared and analyzed. The correlation between each index and LVEF improvement was analyzed by logistic multivariate regression analysis, and the boundary value of hibernating myocardium between LVEF improvement and non-improvement was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsThere were significant differences in the number of hibernating myocardium (15.0%±12.3% vs. 4.3%±4.5%, P=0.000), the number of normal myocardium (74.7%±13.7% vs. 82.4%±8.6%, P=0.027), and cardiac function classification (NYHA) development (−0.7±0.7 vs. −0.3±0.5, P=0.047) between the two groups, but there was no significant difference in other indexes between the two groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of hibernating myocardium was an independent factor affecting the improvement of LVEF after CABG in patients with ischemic heart failure (OR=1.366, 95%CI 1.033-1.807, P=0.029). The ROC curve showed that the threshold value, sensitivity and specificity of hibernating myocardium were 15.0%, 43.8% and 100.0%, respectively.ConclusionThe percentage of hibernating myocardium to left ventricular wall area ≥15.0% can accurately predict the improvement of LVEF in patients with ischemic heart failure after CABG. Preoperative myocardial vitality assessment has important diagnostic value in predicting the improvement of cardiac function in patients with ischemic heart failure after simple CABG.
Objective To investigate the function of a self-designed bilayered negative pressure wound therapy (b-NPWT) in reducing the occurrence of these complications through a clinical randomized controlled trial. Methods We included 72 coronary heart disease patients in our hospital from December 2013 through March 2014. There were 48 males and 24 females aged 38.4±18.6 years undergoing coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) surgery, and great saphenous veins were chosen as grafts. Patients were equally randomized into a trial group and a control group. The patients in the trial group underwent 5 d of b-NPWT for thigh incision and interrupted suture for shank incision after the harvesting of great saphenous veins. Patients in the control group received an interrupted suture for both thigh incision and shank incision after the harvesting of great saphenous veins. We evaluated the function of b-NPWT by reducing the complications arising from the harvesting of great saphenous veins in CABG patients. Results The incidences of early complications, such as lymphedema, incision infection, non-union, and skin flap necrosis of the vascular zone in the trial group were significantly lower than those of the control group. There was no death or new problem in heart or deep venous thrombosis in both groups. No complication occurred in long term. The incidence of lower limb edema was lower in the trial group than that in the control group at the end of 3 months follow-up. Conclusion B-NPWT can effectively prevent lymphorrhagia in CABG patients who underwent the harvesting of great saphenous veins. It can also reduce the incidence of complications and discomfort of the patients.
Abstract： Objective To analyze clinical outcomes of intra-aortic balloon pump （IABP） application for high-risk patients before undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting （OPCAB）， and summarize our experience and weaning indications of IABP. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 102 high-risk patients with coronary artery disease who underwent IABP implantation before OPCAB from January 2008 to July 2011 in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. There were 71 male patients and 31 female patients with their average age of 63.0±8.2 years in this IABP group. We also chose another 100 patients without IABP implantation before undergoing OPCAB as the control group， including 55 male patients and 45 female patients with their average age of 64.1±9.5 years. Postoperative systolic arterial blood pressure （SABP）， mean arterial blood pressure （MABP）， mechanical ventilation time， length of intensive care unit（ICU） stay， morbidity， duration of IABP treatment and in-hospital mortality of two groups were compared. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was evaluated with echocardiography 3 months after surgery. Results Postoperative SABP （95.3±12.2 mm Hg vs. 80.1±11.7 mm Hg；t=8.440， P=0.000） and MABP （78.9±13.5 mm Hg vs. 52.3±15.1 mm Hg； t=12.410， P=0.000） of the IABP group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Mechanical ventilation time， length of ICU stay and duration of inotropic support of the IABP group were significantly shorter than those of the control group. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmia， low cardiac output syndrome， perioperative myocardial infarction and dialysis-requiring acute kidney failure of the IABP group were significantly lower than those of the control group. In-hospital mortality of the IABP group was significantly lower than that of the control group ［5.9% （6/102） vs. 17.0% （17/100）， χ 2 =6.180， P=0.020］. Ninety-six patients in the IABP group and 83 patients in the control group were followed up for 3 months. Three months after surgery， echocardiography showed that LVEF of the IABP group was significantly higher than that of the control group（45.3%±12.0% vs. 39.1%±8.2%， t=3.950， P=0.000）. Conclusion Preoperative prophylactic IABP implantation and optimal timing of weaning from IABP support can not only significantly reduce surgical risk and improve surgical outcomes and postoperative recovery of high-risk patients undergoing OPCAB， but also considerably ameliorate patient heart function and reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality.
Abstract： Objective?To summarize our experience of redo coronary artery bypass grafting（CABG） and explore appropriate redo CABG strategy for Chinese patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 27 patients who underwent redo CABG in People’s Hospital of Peking University from January 2000 to January 2010. There were 15 male patients and 12 female patients with their age of 41-84 （63±8） years. The mean time between the first CABG and the redo CABG was 45 （4-168） months. Preoperatively all the patients had unstable angina pectoris. Twenty-one patients were in New York Heart Association （NYHA） functional classⅠ-Ⅱ， and 6 patients were in NYHA functional classⅢ-Ⅳ. Preoperatively， their left ventricular end-diastolic dimension （LVEDD） was 41-69 （51.0±0.7） mm， and their left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was 32%-78% （58%±12%）. At the time of redo CABG for the 27 patients， there were 6 new coronary artery lesions， 7 left internal mammary artery （LIMA） lesions， 3 radial artery lesions （including 1 proximal anastomosis lesion alone） and 49 saphenous vein graft （SVG） lesions （including 3 proximal lesions alone and 3 distal lesions alone）.?Results?The surgical approach of redo CABG included median sternotomy in 18 patients， left lateral thoracotomy in 8 patients， upper midline abdomen and subxiphoid incision in 1 patient. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting （OPCAB） surgery was performed in 25 patients， but intra-operatively 2 patients underwent conversion to CABG under cardiopulmonary bypass. A total of 65 distal anastomoses and 41 proximal anastomoses were performed during redo CABG. A total of 10 LIMA， 3 right internal mammary artery (RIMA)， 16 left radial artery， 2 right radial artery and 17 SVG were used in redo CABG . There were 1-4 （2.4±0.8） distal anastomoses for each patients. The operation time was 170-530 （304±86）min. Postoperative transfusion was 0-10 （4.3±3.5） U packed red blood cells and 0-1 600 (685±549) ml fresh frozen plasma for each patient. Postoperative mechanical ventilation time was 6-156 （24±32） h and postoperative hospital stay was 7-35 （14±6） d . There was no in-hospital death. All the patients were discharged without any angina symptoms. A total of 26 patients were followed up and 1 patient was lost with the mean follow-up time of 80 （13-133） months. During follow-up， 16 patients were alive without angina symptoms， 4 patients died， and 6 patients had recurrent angina symptoms or heart failure. Conclusions OPCAB is an effective surgical strategy of redo CABG， but cardiopulmonary bypass should also be prepared. Arterial graft should be use as long as possible in redo CABG and the surgical strategy should be individualized.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of myocardial perfusion change before and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in predicting postoperative major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).MethodsA total of 70 CABG patients who received CABG completed by the same operator from January to November 2017 were selected, including 45 males and 25 females with an average age of 64.83±9.09 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the patients had MACE after 1 year of the surgery, including a non-MACE group (group A, n=60) and a MACE group (group B, n=10). The clinical data of patients were compared.ResultsThere were statistical difference in the myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) score in the group A before and after surgery (P<0.05), and there were statistically significant differences in the left ventricular size and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) value before and 1 year after surgery (P<0.001), but no statistically significant difference in the size of left atrium (P=0.075). There was no significant difference in the preoperative and postoperative MCE score, and preoperative and postoperative 1-year cardiac ultrasound score in the group B (P>0.05).ConclusionThe change of myocardial perfusion after CABG surgery is associated with postoperative MACE. The evaluation of myocardial perfusion before and after CABG surgery is of great significance for the prognosis evaluation of patients.
ObjectiveTo summarize the use of harmonic scalpel to harvest bilateral internal mammary artery in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). MethodsThe clinical data of 54 patients of bilateral skeletonized internal mammary artery harvesting for CABG in our hospital from January 2016 to May 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 51 males and 3 females with a mean age of 62.37±9.56 years. ResultsAll patients went through the procedure unevently and discharged from hospital. The number of grafts was 4.07±0.85 per patient, the operation time was 267.21±47.00 min, mechanical ventilation time was 342.43±132.17 min and hospital stay was 12.21±4.43 d. ConclusionIt is safe and effective to use harmonic scalpel to harvest skeletonized bilateral internal mammary artery in CABG.
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in patients with the age>70 years during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). Methods From June 2014 to August 2016, 340 patients undergoing elective OPCABG were included in this study. All the patients were more than 70 years old, among whom 282 were males and 58 were females. According to the random number generation method, the patients were randomly assigned to receive either tranexamic acid (30 mg/kg, infusion time was longer than 30 min after anesthesia induction; n=170) or a placebo (infusion equivalent volume of saline solution; n=170). The primary end point was chest tube drainage 6 h and 24 h postoperatively. The secondary end points were blood transfusion volumes, incidence of various thrombotic events, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU and hospital stay. Results Compared with patients in the placebo group, the patients receiving tranexamic acid had a significant reduction in chest tube drainage at postoperative 6 h (275.6±105.1 ml vs. 459.6±110.2 ml, P<0.001) and 24 h (685.3±202.5 ml vs. 915.9±223.6 ml, P<0.001). There was also a significant reduction in allogeneic red blood cell transfusion (0.80±0.66 U vs. 1.60±1.30 U, P<0.001) and fresh frozen plasma transfusion (166±25 ml vs. 257±30 ml, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in incidence of various thrombotic events, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU and hospital stay between the two groups. Conclusion Tranexamic acid can significantly reduce blood loss and transfusion in elderly patients 6 h and 24 h after OPCABG and the incidence of thrombotic events will not increase.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience of 4 patients with a great saphenous venous graft patency after 15 years of postoperitive great saphenous venous sequential aortic coronary artery bypass grafting. MethodWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 4 patients accepted great saphenous vein aortic coronary artery bypass graft under moderate hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass from November 1989 to December 1992 year. There were 3 males and 1 female with a mean age of 48.3 years ranging from 40-58 years. We harvested great saphenous vein under groin 45-50 cm. The proximal and distal anastomoses were performed with parachute technique under two clamps technique. Coronary artery bypass graft was performed by two sequential grafts routinely. Aspirin was given through nasal tube 6 hours after operation. The risk factors of arteriosclerosis were controlled by patients themselves after discharge. ResultFour patients received coronary angiography in 15, 16, 18, and 21 years after surgery and the grafts and both proximal and distal anastomoses were patent. The patients lived about 20 years without angina. Conclusioncarefully dealing with the vein graft, taking sequential bypass grafting to guarantee parabolic curve and meticulous anastomosis are preconditional and necessary for long-term patency.