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.
The choice of the graft conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has significant implications both in the short-and long-term. The patency of a coronary conduit is closely associated with an uneventful postoperative course, better long-term patient survival and superior freedom from re-intervention. The internal mammary artery is regarded as the primary conduit for CABG patients, given its association with long-term patency and survival. However, long saphenous vein (LSV) continues to be utilized universally as patients presenting for CABG often have multiple coronary territories requiring revascularization. Traditionally, the LSV has been harvested by creating incisions from the ankle up to the groin termed open vein harvesting (OVH). However, such harvesting methods are associated with incisional pain and leg wound infections. In addition, patients find such large incisions to be cosmetically unappealing. These concerns regarding wound morbidity and patient satisfaction led to the emergence of endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH). Published experience comparing OVH with EVH suggests decreased wound related complications, improved patient satisfaction, shorter hospital stay, and reduced postoperative pain at the harvest site following EVH. Despite these reported advantages concerns regarding risk of injury at the time of harvest with its potential detrimental effect on vein graft patency and clinical outcomes have prevented universal adoption of EVH. This review article provides a detailed insight into the technical aspects, outcomes, concerns, and controversies associated with EVH.
Objective To investigate the influence of prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods Clinical data of 5 216 patients from Jiangsu Province CABG registry who underwent primary isolated CABG from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a PCI group (n=673) and a non-PCI group (n=4 543) according to whether they had received PCI treatment. The PCI group included 491 males and 182 females, aged 62.6±8.2 years, and the non-PCI group included 3 335 males and 1 208 females, aged 63.7±8.7 years. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to compare 30-day mortality, incidence of major complications and 1-year follow-up outcomes between the two groups. Results Both in original cohort and matched cohort, there was no statistical difference in the 30-day mortality [14 (2.1%) vs. 77 (1.7%), P=0.579; 14 (2.1%) vs. 11 (1.6%), P=0.686], or the incidence of major complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, mechanical ventilation≥24 h, dialysis for new-onset renal failure, deep sternal wound infection and atrial fibrillation) (all P>0.05). The rate of reoperation for bleeding in the PCI group was higher than that in the non-PCI group [19 (2.8%) vs. 67 (1.5%), P=0.016; 19 (2.8%) vs. 7 (1.0%), P=0.029]. Both in original cohort and matched cohort, there was no statistical difference in 1-year survival rate between the two groups [613 (93.1%) vs. 4225 (94.6%), P=0.119; 613 (93.1%) vs. 630 (95.2%), P=0.124], while the re-admission rate in the PCI group was significantly higher than that in the non-PCI group [32 (4.9%) vs. 113 (2.5%), P=0.001; 32 (4.9%) vs. 17 (2.6%), P=0.040]. Conclusion This study shows that a history of PCI treatment does not significantly increase the perioperative mortality and major complications of CABG, but increases the rate of cardiogenic re-admission 1 year postoperatively.
Objective To analyze the timing and mid-term prognosis of bypass surgery for children with Kawasaki disease complicated with coronary artery aneurysms. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children with Kawasaki disease complicated with coronary artery aneurysms who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting at Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from March 2018 to December 2023. Results Finally, 20 pediatric patients were enrolled, including 16 males and 4 females, with a median age of 118 (74, 140) months. All patients who failed drug treatment and had progressive coronary artery dilation with thrombosis underwent bypass surgery, including 14 patients with cardiac arrest and 6 patients without cardiac arrest. One patient died of severe left heart failure. The median follow-up of 19 surviving children was 34 (16, 61) months, and 84.2% of them had electrocardiogram recovery. The coronary artery diameter decreased from (16.2±9.2) mm to (8.2±2.7) mm, and the left ventricular ejection fraction increased from (58.2±8.6)% to (63.8±7.0)%. The 89.4% (17/19) of the patients’ vessels were unobstructed, and 94.7% (18/19) of the heart function recovered to grade Ⅰ/Ⅱ. Conclusion Coronary artery bypass grafting is safe and effective for treating Kawasaki disease coronary artery aneurysms in children, with a good mid-term prognosis.
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 identify the relationship between preoperative left ventricular dysfunction and perioperative risk factors in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods The clinical data of 192 patients who underwent CABG from November 2015 to October 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups by preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in echocardiography: a serious left ventricular dysfunction group (LVEF≤35%, 23 patients, 15 males and 8 females at age of 63.91±5.36 years), a moderate left ventricular dysfunction group (35%<LVEF<50%, 24 patients, 20 males and 4 females at age of 66.29±6.03 years) and a normal left ventricular function group (LVEF≥50%, 145 patients, 86 males and 59 females at age of 66.60±6.41 years). Results The overall mortality was 4.16% (8/192), 17.39% (4/23) in patients with LVEF≤35% and 2.76% (4/145) in those with LVEF≥50%. Preoperative LVEF≤35%, hypoxia, assisted circulation, acute kidney injury (AKI) and postoperative continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) were risk factors of perioperative mortality in coronary artery surgery. LVEF≤35% and CRRT were independent preditors of mortality. There were significant differences in mortality and postoperative complications between the serious left ventricular dysfunction group and other two groups. Conclusion Postoperative mortality and complications are obviously serious in the patients with LVEF≤35%. We should pay more attention to preoperative risk factors. Postoperative individual manipulation, intra-aortic balloon pump and CRRT can enhance survival of those 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.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of carotid artery stenosis degree and intervention for carotid artery stenosis on the incidence of central nervous system complications after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) and explore the influencing factors. MethodsA total of 1 150 patients undergoing OPCABG in our hospital from June 2018 to June 2021 were selected and divided into two groups according to whether there were central nervous system complications, including a central nervous system complication group [n=61, 43 males and 18 females with a median age of 68.0 (63.0, 74.0) years] and a non-central nervous system complication group [n=1 089, 796 males and 293 females with a median age of 65.5 (59.0, 70.0) years]. The risk factors for central nervous system complications after OPCABG were analyzed. ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that age, smoking, hyperlipidemia, preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, intra-aortic ballon pump (IABP), postoperative arrhythmia, postoperative thoracotomy and blood transfusion volume were associated with central nervous system complications. The incidence of central nervous system complications in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis or occlusion (11.63%) was higher than that in the non-stenosis and mild stenosis patients (4.80%) and moderate stenosis patients (4.76%) with a statistical difference (P=0.038). The intervention for carotid artery stenosis before or during the operation did not reduce the incidence of central nervous system complications after the operation (42.11% vs. 2.99%, P<0.001). Age, postoperative arrhythmia, severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and occlusion were independent risk factors for postoperative central nervous system complications (P<0.05). Conclusion The age, smoking, hyperlipidemia, preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, intraoperative use of IABP, postoperative arrhythmia, secondary thoracotomy after surgery, blood transfusion volume and OPCABG are associated with the incidence of postoperative central nervous system complications in patients. Age, postoperative arrhythmia, severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and occlusion are independent risk factors for postoperative central nervous system complications. In patients with severe carotid artery stenosis, preoperative treatment of the carotid artery will not reduce the incidence of central nervous system complications.
Objective To summarize the early outcomes and clinic al experience of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (off-pump CABG) afte r off-pump coronary endarterectomy (CE) for patients with diffused coronary art ery disease. Methods From May 2003 to November 2006，83 patients with diffu sed coronary artery disease underwent CE without cardiopulmonary bypass and off-pump CABG. There were 61 males and 22 females with age ranged from 55 to 80 ye ars (65±7 years). There were 7 patients in Canadian Cardiac Society(CCS) an gina classⅡ,20 patients in class Ⅲ,and 56 patients in class Ⅳ. 36(43.4%) pat ients had history of myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram revealed th at 5 patients had double vessels disease, and other 78 patients had triple ves s els disease with 16 left main stem disease. The left ventricular ejection fract ion(LVEF) ranged from 25% to 65% (51%±16%). One hundred and ten endarter e ctomies were performed in 83 patients totally which included 67 in left anterior descending artery(LAD)，9 in circumflex artery and 34 in right coronary artery . Twenty patients received onlay venous patch after CE in LAD and then grafte d by internal mammary artery (IMA) on the patch. There were 83 left IMA, 2 radia l arteries, others were great saphenous veins, the mean number of grafts was 3.9 ±1.2. Results There was no death in all patients. Intraoper ative graft flowmeter was used to check the flow in the grafts before chest cl osure. One hundred and one (92%) out of 110 grafts after CE showed a satisfactor y grafts flow(22±16ml/min) intraoperatively. Four patients had perioperative myocardial infarctions but none had hemodynamic changes. All patients discharged uneventfully. Seventyfive patients (90.4%) had 8 to 50 months followup with no angi na reoccurrence. Eight patients had coronary angiogram from 3 to 29 months af ter operation with all patent grafts to the CE coronaries. Conclusion Off-pump CABG with coronary endarterectomy is feasible and achieves surgical revascularization in patients with diffuse cor onary artery disease.