Angiographic Patency of Coronary Artery Bypass Conduits: An Updated Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

ABSTRACT Introduction: The second best conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting is uncertain. The objective of this study is to determine the second best conduit according to graft patency results from randomized controlled trials using a network meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials comparing the angiographic patency rate of the no-touch saphenous vein (NT-SV), the radial artery (RA), the right internal thoracic artery (RITA), and the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) in reference to the conventionally harvested saphenous vein (CON-SV). The primary outcome was graft occlusion, and the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 859 studies were retrieved, of which 18 were included. A total of 6,543 patients and 8,272 grafts were analyzed. The weighted mean angiographic follow-up time was 3.5 years. Compared with CON-SV, RA (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.74) and NT-SV (IRR 0.56; 95% CI, 0.44-0.70) demonstrated lower graft occlusion. NT-SV and RA were ranked as the best conduits (rank score for NT-SV 0.88 vs. 0.87 for RA, 0.29 for GEA, 0.27 for CON-SV, and 0.20 for RITA). There was no significant difference in late mortality between different conduit types. Conclusion: RA and NT-SV are associated with significantly lower graft occlusion rates and are comparably ranked as the best conduit for patency.

Distal anastomosis support for bypass grafting for the small posterior descending artery / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To describe a distal anastomosis support (DAS) technique, and retrospectively investigate the effect of DAS on the mid-term graft patency of patient with small posterior descending artery.Methods:Between January and December 2016, 100 patients with triple-vessel disease and small PDA who continuously underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) (OPCABG group, n=50) and OPCABG with DAS for anastomosis of PDA grafted by saphenous vein (SVG) (OPCABG+ DAS group, n=50) were evaluated retrospectively. The dynamic changes of electrocardiogram and TnI level were observed within 48h after the surgery. All patients came back to follow-up visit 6th, 12th, 24th and 36th postoperative month. The primary endpoint was the graft failure (FitzGibbon B or O) of SVG-PDA on the follow-up CTA.Results:There was no death during the operation. There was no acute inferior wall myocardial infarction confirmed by electrocardiogram. Peak TnI within 48h of surgery was 0.74(0.98)ng/ml vs. 0.92(1.29)ng/ml, P>0.05, and the number of patients with peak TnI≥70×ULN was 3(6%, 3/50) vs.5(10%, 5/50), P>0.05. There was no postoperative death, and all the patients were discharged 5-15 days postoperatively. We found significantly improved cumulative graft patency in OPCABG+ DAS group at 36 months after operation [85.7%(42/49) vs. 68.0%(34/50), P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, PDA with atherosclerotic lesions ( OR=6.513, 95% CI: 1.279-33.180, P=0.024), and peak TnI≥70×ULN within 48 h of surgery ( OR=5.948, 95% CI: 1.128-31.368, P=0.036) were independent predictors of graft failure, whereas concomitant DAS ( OR=0.222, 95% CI: 0.069-0.713, P=0.011) was significant protective factor. Conclusion:Concomitant DAS conferred superior mid-term patency of SVG-PDA in patients with small PDA. Adding the DAS procedure to OPCABG may be a promising surgical option for small PDA with atherosclerotic lesions.

Novel no touch technique of saphenous vein harvesting: Is great graft patency rate provided.

Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery effectively relieves signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia. The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft is the gold standard having 90–95% patency rate at 10 years, whereas only 50% of saphenous vein (SV) grafts are patent at 10 years. However, there is a novel “no touch” technique in order to harvest an SV complete with its cushion of surrounding tissue, thus maintaining its endothelium‑intact. Significantly superior short‑ and long‑term graft patency rates comparable to LITA grafts can be achieved. Consequently, the SV may be revived as an important conduit in coronary artery bypass surgery.

ASpirin and Plavix Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (ASAP-CABG): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial.

Background: Vein graft thrombosis is the leading cause of acute graft failure within the first post-operative month. Several studies have shown the benefit of post-operative dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) in preventing acute graft thrombosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether peri-operative initiation of DAPT will improve short and intermediate term graft patency. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of 20 patients undergoing CABG to compare DAPT versus aspirin monotherapy. The primary outcome was post-operative graft patency at 2 and 52 weeks determined by <50% bypass graft stenosis by cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The secondary outcomes were (1) major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as myocardial infarction, thrombotic events, and angina, and (2) safety end-points defined as TIMI major and minor bleeding events. Results: The study population consisted predominately of men (19/20 patients). At 2 weeks, all LIMA grafts were patent although vein graft patency for the DAPT group was only 83.3% (20/24) compared to 89.5% (17/19) for placebo (p=0.597). At 52 weeks, the patency rate in the placebo group was 52.6% (10/19) as compared to a patency of 71.4% (15/24) in the dual anti-platelet therapy arm (p=0.244). Conclusion: The addition of clopidogrel to aspirin post-bypass surgery did not significantly improve venous graft patency at 2 weeks but trended toward higher graft patency at 52 weeks.

A successful team treatment for left main shock syndrome / 老年心脏病学杂志（英文版）

Acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock and left main coronary artery disease is called left main shock syndrome. It is reported that the morbility and mortality of the syndrome is approximately 0.46%and 55%-80%, respectively. However, the best treat-ment strategy in these cases is unknown. In this article, we present a patient with LMSS who successively underwent emergency percutane-ous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting with hemodynamic support within 5 days. The patient is now on his three month uneventful out-patient follow-up.

Early Results of Endoscopic Saphenous Vein Harvesting in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Recently, with the advent of medical devices and minimally invasive operations, endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting (EVH) in coronary artery bypass grafting has been widely accepted. Although EVH has short-term advantages of less wound morbidity and better cosmetic results compared with open vein harvesting (OVH), several studies have demonstrated that the mid- and long-term patency rate of EVH veins is significantly lower than that of OVH veins, therefore the role of EVH is currently controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the early results of EVH compared with the OVH group. Between April 2011 and December 2012, 115 consecutive patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in our institution. Of these, EVH was performed in 62 patients and OVH in 53. In EVH groups, all 50 patients were men, and mean age was 71.3±7.8 years. A total of 211 coronary anastomoses, 109 SVGs anastomoses were assessed for patency postoperatively by angiography or enhanced computed tomography before discharge. The mean vein harvesting time was 26.0±8.1 min, and the mean number of ostial branch tear was 0.34±0.59. The overall SVG patency rates at discharge were 95.4% in EVH and 92% in OVH, respectively (<i>p</i>=0.24). There was a significant reduction in the incidence of leg wound complications in the EVH group (EVH : 1.6% ; OVH : 13.2% ; <i>p</i>=0.038). In conclusion, the short-term result of EVH was satisfactory. EVH reduces leg wound complications compared with OVH.

Early and Mid-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Saphenous Vein Harvesting in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

In this study, we report early and mid-term outcomes of endoscopic saphenous vein (SV) harvesting (EVH) for coronary artery bypass grafting. EVH is expected to have superior cosmetic results and fewer wound complications than conventional open techniques. EVH was performed in 262 patients from April 2008 to December 2010. From September 2010, we have administered heparin before EVH to prevent intraluminal SV clot formation. The mean age of the patients was 70±7.3 years, and 178 (67.9%) patients were men. The success rate of EVH was 97.3%. Hospital mortality was 1.2%. Postoperative wound complications occurred in only 7 (2.8%) patients. The early and mid-term patency was 95.8% (276/288) and 74.2% (187/252), respectively, as evaluated by postoperative angiography or computed tomography. Comparing the mid-term patency rate between the groups with or without systemic heparinization before EVH, statistical significance was not observed, but the mid-term patency was good in the group with systemic heparinization (82.5% vs. 73.6%, <i>p</i>=0.16). Actuarial 1-year and 3-year survival were 93.9% and 79%. Actuarial 1-year and 3-year major adverse cardiac event-free rates were 92.2% and 77.5%. In 10 patients who had SV graft occlusion during the observation period, percutaneous coronary intervention was required for the native coronary artery. EVH has great cosmetic advantages and has a good early patency. However, the mid-term patency is not satisfactory. Thus, systemic heparinization before EVH, improvement of the device and further clinical experience and techniques are required to improve the mid-term and late patency.

Saphenous Vein Graft as a Composite Graft in Patients Who AreUndergoing Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass: The Early Results / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The long term patency of the free saphenous vein graft, which is the most commonly used conduit, anastomosed to the ascending aorta has been reported to be lower than that of arterial grafts. We evaluated the early clinical outcome and the angiographic patency of the saphenous vein composite graft based on the left internal thoracic artery, and compared these results with those of using arterial composite grafts. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From September 2006 to October 2008, 419 patients underwent off-pump coronary revascularization. Among those, 295 patients (70.4%) were revascularized using composite grafts (group I: saphenous vein composite graft, n=71, group II: arterial composite graft, n=224). The clinical results were compared between the 2 groups. Early postoperative coronary angiograms were performed in all the patients. (1.6+/-.6 days) RESULT: The number of the distal anastomosis per patient was 3.5+/-.0 and 3.1+/-.8 in group I and II, respectively (p=.002). The operative mortality (n=2, 0.7%) and postoperative complications such as atrial fibrillation (n=73, 24.7%), perioperative myocardial infarct (n=6, 2.0%), acute renal failure (n=6, 2.0%), reoperation for bleeding (n=5, 1.7%), cerebrovascular accident (n=3, 1.0%), and mediastinitis (n=1, 0.3%) were not related with the use of saphenous vein graft. Early coronary angiograms revealed a 96.9% (126/130) for the saphenous vein grafts and a 98.8% (479/485) for the composite graft in group II (p=.231). CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that a saphenous vein graft might be used as an alternative conduit to the arterial graft for constructing a composite graft, as based on our early clinical and angiographic results. Further study is required to establish the long-term efficacy of using a saphenous vein as a composite graft.

The Relation between Distal Runoff and Clinical Outcome after Aorto-iliac Reconstruction Surgery

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate the relationship between distal runoff and long-term graft patency in aorto-iliac occlusive disease. METHOD: A retrospective review was performed on 192 patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease who underwent surgery between September 1995 and November 2005. Patients who underwent percutaneous angioplasty or stent placement were excluded. Preoperative angiograms were scored according to the SVS/ISVS Ad Hoc Committee guidelines. RESULT: The mean duration of follow-up was 50 months. Procedure indications consisted of claudication in 68 patients and critical limb ischemia in 124 patients. Procedures included 176 bypasses (50 aorto-iliac/aorto-femoral, 32 ilio-femoral, 46 axillo-femoral, and 48 femoro-femoral) and 16 endarterectomies with patch angioplasty. Overall 5-year patency rate was 84.1%. Higher primary patency was observed when the occlusion score of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) or deep femoral artery (DFA) was lower than 2 (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazard model showed run-off resistance values to be significant determinants of graft patency (p=0.000, Exp(B)=1.236). The group that underwent profundoplasty had significantly better long-term patency (P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Poor distal runoff score was related to lower primary patency. In patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease and poor distal outflow, profundoplasty can improve primary patency.

Noninvasive Follow-Up of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patency Using Multi-Slice Computed Tomography

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the utility of multi-slice computerized tomography (MSCT) for assessing coronary artery bypass graft patency and/or occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 24 patients, both conventional angiography and CT angiography with 4-MSCT were performed within seven days of one another in order to evaluate the accuracy of MSCT with regard to graft patency and/or occlusion. A follow-up CT angiogram was performed in patients with and without symptoms (n=11, n=34, respectively) with 4- or 16-MSCT. We retrospectively compared the results of MSCT to those of conventional coronary graft angiography. RESULTS: Sixty-five grafts were evaluated for the accuracy of MSCT. Six of those 65 were occluded. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of MSCT for the diagnosis of graft occlusion were 100% (6/6), 98% (58/59), 86% (6/7) and 100% (58/58), respectively. Patency could not be determined by angiography in two grafts; however, the grafts proved to be patent on MSCT. On follow-up, new graft occlusions in the asymptomatic patients were detected by MSCT in 8.2% of the previously patent grafts at the two years post-op, and in 15.2% at the three years post-op. CONCLUSION: MSCT is a practical and accurate noninvasive diagnostic tool for following up coronary artery bypass grafts.

Morphologic Follow-Up of the Anastomotic Sites Using One-year and Five-year Angiography after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: We analysed the characteristics of anastomotic sites after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using coronary angiographies (CAGs) performed at one and five years postoperatively in the same patient population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among the 219 patients who underwent isolated CABGs between January 1995 and December 1997, follow-up coronary angiograms were performed in 149 (75.3%) patients at one year and in 115 (58.1%) patients at five years postoperatively. FitzGibbon grading system was used to evaluate the anastomotic sites. RESULT: The patency rates of arterial grafts at one- and five-year were 96.5% (192/199) and 93.1% (134/144), which were higher than those of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) (82.9% (224/270) and 77.5% (141/182), respectively) (p=0.01). Although there were significant decreases in the patency rates between one- and five-year CAGs of both arterial and venous grafts, the proportion of FitzGibbon grade B among the SVGs was increased from 5.2% (one-year) to 8.2% (five-year), suggesting the progression of vein graft disease (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The patency rate of the arterial graft was higher than that of SVG in both one- and five-year CAGs. The attrition rate of saphenous vein graft was higher than arterial grafts.

Patency Rates for Lower Extremity Arterial Bypass Grafts

PURPOSE: A graft patency is influenced by various factors; the degree of preoperative ischemia, type of procedure, kinds of the conduit and the stati of inflow and outflow vessels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patency rate according to the distal anastomosis level, kinds of conduit and the impact of runoff score. METHODS: Between August 1998 and August 2003, 141 lower extremity arterial bypass operations were performed. The runoff scores of the outflow arteries were graded according to the system proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Reporting Standards, SVS/ISCVS. The graft patency was determined by clinical examination, and ABI measurements, and with a Duplex scan if required, and assessed by a regular follow-up schedule. RESULTS: The primary patency rates according to the level of distal anastomosis at 1, 3 and 5 years were as follows; femoral artery (FA) 94.8, 87.1 and 87.1%, above-knee popliteal artery (AKPA) 83.7, 79.3 and 68.0%, below-knee popliteal artery (BKPA) 85.9, 64.4 and 42.9%, respectively, and the secondary patency rates; FA 95, 87.6 and 87.6%, AKPA 91.6, 68.3 and 38.6%, BKPA 83.8, 69.9 and 46.6%, respectively. The patency rates of below-knee popliteal bypass showed no statistical difference between each conduit, but showed a tendency to increase in the order: PTFE, vein patch and vein graft. No significant difference in the patency rate was shown except between a runoff score of 1 and above 1 at each level. CONCLUSION: The patency rates for the relatively proximal site of the distal anastomosis were superior to those of the distal site. The choice of conduit influenced the patency of infrapopliteal bypass grafts. The patent outflow vessels and the autogenous vein graft at infrapopliteal artery were more favorable for good graft patency. The recommended runoff score system seems to be revision in order to improve the predictability of a graft patency.

Analysis of Graft Patency and Risk Factors Influencing Graft Failure in Femorofemoral Crossover Bypass

PURPOSE: Femorofemoral crossover bypass is commonly employed to treat unilateral iliac artery occlusion in chronic limb ischemic patients. We retrospectively analysed the risk factors related to postoperative graft failure and primary patency. METHODS: We reviewed 33 iliac artery occlusion patients who visited Samsung Medical Center between March 1995 and July 2000 and underwent femorofemoral bypass surgery. 33 cases were employed 6 mm or 7 mm PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). The average age of the patients was 63.3 year-old, and all of them were male. The indication of surgery were claudication (19 cases, 57.6%), resting pain (9 cases, 27.3%), and lower limb ulceration or gangrene (5 cases, 15.2%) in preoperatively. RESULTS: The average ankle-brachial index (ABI) was 0.34 preoperatively and 0.837 postoperatively. Graft failure after 30 days (late graft failure) was found in 7 cases (21.3%). The primary patency rates were 80.1% for 1 year and 60.1% for 2 years. According to the cross table analysis of the risk factors, smoking, diabetes mellitus, cardiac status, distal run-off score, and cerebrovascular disease related with carotid stenosis showed significantly high rate graft failure. A univariate analysis of risk factors showed that preoperative smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, distal run-off score, cardiac status, and cerebrovascular diseases related with carotid stenosis were significantly related with primary patency. However, according to multivariate analysis, these risk factors did not show any significant relationship with primary patency, with the exception of the distal run-off score (p= 0.0018). CONCLUSION: Continuous and close care of patients through postoperative long-term follow up would improve graft patency in patients with risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, carotid stenosis, cardiac status, and smoking. Examination of the preopertive distal run off artery will predict the prognosis of the postoperative graft patency.

Midterm Patency after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare one-year graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass(OPCAB) with that of conventional CABG and that of on-pump beating CABG, and to demonstrate any differences in patency of various conduits among the three groups. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed the results of OPCAB cases(group I; n=122) compared with those of conventional CABG cases(group II; n=65) and those of on-pump beating CABG cases(group III; n=19). In group I, coronary angiography(CAG) was performed immediately postoperatively and 1 year after surgery. In groups II and III, CAG was performed 1 year after surgery. Graft patency was graded as grade A(excellent), grade B(fair), or grade O(occluded). RESULT: The average number of distal anastomoses in groups I, II, and III were 3.1+/-1.1, 3.7+/-0.9, and 3.6+/-0.9, respectively. In group I, postoperative CAG was performed in 92%(112/122) of patients before discharge. The patency rate(grade A+B) was 96.4%(162/168) for arterial grafts, and 85.6%(160/187) for saphenous vein grafts(SVG). One-year follow-up CAG was performed in 74%(90/122) of patients. The patency rate was 97.8%(132/135) for arterial grafts, and 67.9%(106/156) for SVG. In group II, one-year follow-up CAG was performed in 65%(42/65) of patients. The patency rate(grade A+B) was 93.5%(43/46) for arterial grafts, and 88.3%(98/111) for SVG. In group III, one-year follow-up CAG was performed in 89%(17/19) of patients. The patency rate(grade A+B) was 100%(19/19) for arterial grafts, and 86.8%(33/38) for SVG. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that the patency rate of SVG after OPCAB was significantly lower than that of arterial grafts in the early postoperative CAG(p<0.001), and was also significantly lower than those of SVG of group II(p<0.001) and group III(p<0.01) in the postoperative one-year CAG, although there was no ignificant difference in one-year patency of arterial grafts among the three groups. Our data suggest that a specific perioperative anticoagulant therapy may be advisable in patients undergoing OPCAB with SVG.

Assessment of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patency Using Three Dimensional Coronary Angiography by Electron Beam Tomography

BACKGROUNDS: The development of a noninvasive, accurate imaging technique for assessing coronary artery bypass graft patency is of major clinical importance because increasing numbers of patients have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. The electron beam tomography, by virtue of its rapid data acquisition time and good spatial resolution, may be useful in this regard. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of three-dimensional coronary angiography by electron beam tomography (EBT) in the assessment of patency of coronary artery bypass grafts. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery were included. All patients underwent EBT and conventional coronary angiography for the evaluation of the status of bypass grafts. Three dimensional reconstruction of the heart and bypass grafts were performed and compared with selective angiography of the bypass grafts. RESULTS: Fifty-seven saphenous vein grafts (SVG) and 22 left internal mammary artery (LIMA) were evaluated for occlusion or patency. The sensitivity and specificity of EBT in the evaluation of LIMA patency were 80%, 82.4%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of EBT in the evaluation of SVG patency were 91.7% and 91.1%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of EBT in the evaluation of SVG according to the coronary territory were : 1) SVG to left anterior descending artery 100%, 100%:2) SVG to diagonal branch 100%, 100%:3) SVG to left circumflex artery 100%, 88.9%:4) SVG to right coronary artery 75%, 85.7%. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional coronary angiography by electron beam tomography is a promising, useful and relatively accurate diagnostic technique for the evaluation of graft patency in patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Assessment of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patency Using Three Dimensional Coronary Angiography by Electron Beam Tomography

BACKGROUNDS: The development of a noninvasive, accurate imaging technique for assessing coronary artery bypass graft patency is of major clinical importance because increasing numbers of patients have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. The electron beam tomography, by virtue of its rapid data acquisition time and good spatial resolution, may be useful in this regard. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of three-dimensional coronary angiography by electron beam tomography (EBT) in the assessment of patency of coronary artery bypass grafts. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery were included. All patients underwent EBT and conventional coronary angiography for the evaluation of the status of bypass grafts. Three dimensional reconstruction of the heart and bypass grafts were performed and compared with selective angiography of the bypass grafts. RESULTS: Fifty-seven saphenous vein grafts (SVG) and 22 left internal mammary artery (LIMA) were evaluated for occlusion or patency. The sensitivity and specificity of EBT in the evaluation of LIMA patency were 80%, 82.4%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of EBT in the evaluation of SVG patency were 91.7% and 91.1%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of EBT in the evaluation of SVG according to the coronary territory were : 1) SVG to left anterior descending artery 100%, 100%:2) SVG to diagonal branch 100%, 100%:3) SVG to left circumflex artery 100%, 88.9%:4) SVG to right coronary artery 75%, 85.7%. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional coronary angiography by electron beam tomography is a promising, useful and relatively accurate diagnostic technique for the evaluation of graft patency in patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Extra-Anatomic Bypass

Extra-anatomic bypass(EAB) is defined as bypass grafts that pass through a significantly different anatomic pathway than the natural blood vessles they replace. The two categorical reasons for doing this in aortoiliac occlusive disease are to avoid "hostile" intra-abdominal pathologic features and to avoid the high risk of transabdominal reconstruction in patients with serious visceral and systemic disease. To determine the application of this procedure, we reviewed retrospectively the characteristics and outcomes of 30 patients who underwent extra-anatomic bypasses during April, 1986 to April, 1997. Three EABs in brachiocephalic reconstruction were done including 2 carotid-subclavian bypass, 1 femoral-biaxillary bypass. 27 EABs in aortoiliac reconstruction were done including 22 femorofemoral bypass(FFB), 4 axillobifemoral bypass(AxBF). In the latter, EABs were used in older patients with medical comorbidities and contraindication to direct reconstructive procedures involving the abdominal aorta including aneurysms, graft infection, and trauma. One and five-year primary patency rates for entire EABs and FFB were 76.9%, 63.8% and 83.1%, 63.5%, respectively. In FFB, patients with limb- threatening ischemia proved to be inferior to those with claudication as measured by primary patency(p=0.013). Age(>65yr.), sex, smoking, medical comorbidities, duration of symtoms, preoperative angioplasty, use of externally supported graft did not influence primary patency in FFB. The 5-year patient survival rates for entire EABs and FFB were 70.4%, 67.9%. Limb salvage rates for entire EABs and FFB were 65.1%, 66.7% at 3 years. Our results suggest that strict selection of patients with limb-threatening ischemia and medical comorbidities may contribute inferior patency rate of EABs. To determine the application of EABs in aortoiliac reconstruction, the nature of intraabdominal pathology and operative risk with vascular surgeon's experience and judgement should be considered.

Effects of degree of revascularization and graft patency on training ability in recovery phase after coronary artery bypass graft surgery / 体力科学

A study was conducted to clarify training ability in the recovery phase after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) . Thirty-one patients who underwent CABG were divided into four groups according to the degree of revascularization and graft patency: complete revascularization with graft patency (group A), complete revascularization without graft patency (group B), incomplete revascularization with graft patency (group C) and incomplete revascularization without graft patency (group D) . In all patients, exercise training was started one month after CABG and continued for one month. Treadmill exercise testing was performed at three points during the clinical course (one month before CABG, one month after CABG and at the end of exercise training) . Functional aerobic impairment (FAT), myocardial aerobic impairment (MAT), peripheral circulatory impairment (PCI) and electrocardiogram were measured at these points. The results obtained were as follows:<BR>1) FAI was improved significantly after CABG as compared with before CABG in groups A and C, and was also improved significantly after exercise training as compared with before training in groups A and C. The degree of improvement in FAI in group A was larger than in group C.<BR>2) Althought MAT was improved significantly after CABG as compared with before CABG in groups A and C, it was improved significantly after exercise training as compared with before training only in group A.<BR>3) PCI remained unchanged before and after CABG in all groups. However, it was improved significantly after training as compared with before training in groups A and C.<BR>4) The number of patients with a positive finding in the exercise test was reduced by CABG in all groups, and was decreased by training only in group A. However, CABG produced a significant decrease in groups A, B and C.<BR>In conclusion, the present findings suggest that while graft patency is probably a major factor, the degree of revascularization may play only a subsidiary role in determining trainability soon after CABG.