Right gastroepiploic artery versus right internal thoracic artery composite grafts: 10-year patency and long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the 10-year graft occlusion rates and long-term clinical outcomes of right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) composite grafts with those of right internal thoracic artery (RITA) composite grafts. METHODS: From 2000 to 2008, 548 patients had undergone total arterial revascularization for multivessel coronary artery disease using the RGEA (RGEA group; n = 389) or RITA (RITA group; n = 159) as a second-limb Y-composite graft based on the in situ left ITA. A propensity score-matched analysis was used to match the RGEA group (n = 152) with the RITA group (n = 152). The 10-year angiographic occlusion rates and long-term clinical outcomes were compared. The follow-up data were complete for all 304 patients (100%) with a median follow-up of 143.7 months. RESULTS: The early clinical outcomes were similar between the matched groups. The overall graft occlusion rate was 9.5% at 10 years in the matched group patients (matched RGEA and RITA groups, 10.3% and 8.4%, respectively; P = .639). The 10-year occlusion rates of the second-limb conduits showed no differences between the matched RGEA and RITA groups (14.1% and 10.2%, respectively; P = .487). No statistically significant differences were found at 15 years postoperatively in the overall survival (52.9% vs 49.4%; P = .470), cardiac mortality-free survival (92.1% vs 90.9%; P = .560), freedom from target vessel revascularization (83.0% vs 91.4%; P = .230), freedom from reintervention (68.8% vs 76.2%; P = .731), or freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (56.4% vs 64.6%; P = .364) rates between the matched groups. CONCLUSIONS: Total arterial revascularization using RGEA composite grafts showed comparable results to those using RITA composite grafts in terms of the 10-year occlusion rates and long-term clinical outcomes.

Early pharmacologic conversion of atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early amiodarone-based pharmacological cardioversion for postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following off-pump coronary bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHODS: A total of 507 patients who underwent OPCAB between 2015 and 2017 were categorized into POAF (n=94) and no-POAF (n=413) groups. Patients in the POAF group were treated according to the following institutional protocol: 150 mg loading dose of intravenous amiodarone, followed by oral administration with sequential maintenance doses at 600, 400, and 200 mg per day. If sinus rhythm was restored before discharge, patients were discharged without amiodarone or anticoagulants, except for dual antiplatelets. RESULTS: Before discharge at index hospitalization, 97.8% of POAF patients had restored sinus rhythm. Independent risk factors for POAF were age, unstable angina, prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and left atrial diameter. The mean follow-up duration was 41.1±12.8 months. Freedom from overall mortality and composite events, including mortality, major bleeding requiring admission and cerebrovascular events, were similar between the 2 groups. Results were consistent after propensity-score matching. CONCLUSIONS: Amiodarone-based rapid pharmacological cardioversion of POAF resulted in a high sinus rhythm conversion rate (97.9%). Rate of late adverse cardiovascular events including stroke, were low even without anticoagulation. As optimal treatment and anticoagulation guidelines for POAF after OPCAB have not yet been established, amiodarone-based treatment protocols may be considered as a useful option.

Comparison between noninvasive and conventional skin closure methods in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic artery.

BACKGROUND: Sternal wound complications could increase the hospital cost while decreasing the satisfaction of surgery. Furthermore, it can potentially also lead to life-threatening mediastinitis especially after coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA). Skill levels of suture technique vary among surgeons and may contribute to an increased wound complication rate. Thus, standardization of surgical wound closure could potentially decrease the surgeon factor. The aim of the study is to compare the wound complication rate between non-invasive surgical skin closure devices (zip surgical skin closure device, Zipline Medical, Campbell, CA, USA) and conventional suture closure. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-nine patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) using BITAs at our institution between 2016 and 2018 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups; the Zipline group (zip-group, N=100), and conventional group (con-group, N=279). Following propensity score matching, 95 con-group patients were matched to 169 zip-group patients. RESULTS: The average age and history of cancer were significantly higher in the zip-group (P=0.021 and P=0.023, respectively). However, after propensity score matching, no differences were observed in the demographic data between the groups. In total patients (unmatched), although there was no significant difference in the incidence of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) between the two groups (zip vs. con, 0% vs. 1.1%, P=0.569), the incidence of post-operative superficial sternal wound infection (SSWI) or dehiscence was significantly higher in the con-group than in the zip-group (1.0% vs. 7.9%, P=0.013). The results were consistent in the matched patients. (DSWI: 0% vs. 0.6%, P>0.999; SSWI or dehiscence: 1.1% vs. 7.1%, P=0.036). Multivariable analysis revealed use of the zip surgical skin closure device showed a preventive effect against wound complications [odds ratio (OR): 0.128, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.017-0.976, P=0.029]. CONCLUSIONS: Zip surgical skin closure devices could decrease superficial wound complication rates compared to conventional suture techniques in OPCAB using BITAs.

Clopidogrel versus Ticagrelor for Secondary Prevention after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

We sought to evaluate the outcomes of postoperative three-month dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) with exclusively arterial grafts. Between 2013⁻2016, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with either aspirin + clopidogrel (ASA + CPD group, n = 100) or aspirin + ticagrelor (ASA + TCG group, n = 169) was prescribed postoperatively in 269 NSTE-ACS patients after total arterial OPCAB. Patients with indications for other oral anticoagulants were excluded from the study. Three-month DAPT was completed in 259 patients (96%); ASA + CPD group (n = 94) vs. ASA + TCG group (n = 165). A one-to-one propensity score matching was performed. Unadjusted comparison between the groups showed no significant difference in overall survival (P = 0.253) and composite outcome of major adverse cerebrovascular and cardiovascular event (MACCE) and major bleeding (P = 0.276). The rate of freedom from composite outcome at one year in the ASA + CPD and ASA + TCG groups was 91 ± 3% and 93 ± 2%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, being in the ASA + TCG group did not increase the risk of the composite outcome of MACCE and major bleeding (P = 0.972, hazard ratio: 1.0, 95% confidence interval: 0.4⁻2.3). Propensity score-matched comparison (76 pairs) showed no significant difference in the overall survival (P = 0.423) and composite outcome between the groups (P = 0.442). In the setting of exclusive arterial grafting, post-OPCAB three-month DAPT showed acceptable outcomes in patients with NSTE-ACS. There was no significant difference in overall survival or composite outcome of MACCE and major bleeding between the ASA + CPD and ASA + TCG groups.

Hybrid Coronary Artery Revascularization for Takayasu Arteritis with Major Visceral Collateral Circulation from the Left Internal Thoracic Artery.

Coronary arterial involvement in Takayasu arteritis (TA) is not uncommon. Herein, we describe a case of TA with celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery occlusion combined with coronary artery disease. Bilateral huge internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) and the inferior mesenteric artery provided the major visceral collateral circulation. After percutaneous intervention to the right coronary artery, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for the left coronary territory was done using a right ITA graft and its large side branch because of its relatively minor contribution to the visceral collateral circulation.

Spasm and Reopening of the Right Gastroepiploic Artery Conduit After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: The right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) has advantages for use as an arterial conduit in coronary artery bypass graft surgery but perioperative spasm often develops. This study assessed the spasm and occlusion rates of RGEA conduits and elucidated the mechanism of reopening of occluded RGEA conduits. METHODS: Patients who received an RGEA conduit in coronary artery bypass graft surgery were studied (n = 976; 700 composite, 276 in situ, 16 free grafts; 16 received both in situ and composite grafts). Early, 1-year, and 5-year angiographies were performed in 961 patients (98.5%), 815 patients (83.5%), and 618 patients (63.3%), respectively. RESULTS: Graft spasm was demonstrated in early angiograms in 72 proximal graft trunks of 1,608 distal anastomoses (4.5%) constructed using an RGEA conduit. Early occlusion rates of composite, in situ, and free RGEA conduits were 1.1%, 2.5%, and 0%, respectively; 8.5%, 7.5%, and 21.4%, respectively, at 1 year; and 10.5%, 14.1%, and 37.5%, respectively, at 5 years. Nineteen of 23 patients who had RGEA conduit occlusions at early angiography (1 occluded anastomosis per patient) were reevaluated at 1 year, and 9 of them (47.4%) had become patent. Of 83 patients with occluded RGEA composite grafts (90 occluded RGEA conduit anastomoses) at 1-year angiography, 8 were reopened at 5 years (8.9%). Progression of native target coronary artery disease was observed in all 8 patients with reopened occluded RGEA conduits at 5 years but not in 9 patients with reopened RGEA conduits at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Reopening of occluded RGEA conduits occurred early and midterm postoperatively. Reopening appeared related to recovery from graft spasm, and could occur as late as midterm if associated with progression of native coronary artery disease.

Results of Protocol-based Perioperative Management in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Patients with Non-dialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of off-pump coronary bypass grafting over the on-pump technique in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To further reduce the risk of acute kidney injury and the need for renal replacement therapy, even in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, we adopted protocol-based perioperative management for patients with CKD. METHODS: From December 2012 to March 2015, 265 patients underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. To analyze renal function in a stable condition, we excluded 12 dialysis-dependent end stage renal failure and 10 emergency or urgent cases. Among the remaining 243 patients, 208 patients had normal kidney function (normal group), and 35 patients had CKD (CKD group). Minimizing contrast exposure, ensuring adequate hydration, using strict drug dosage adjustment, and optimizing hemodynamic status were key elements of the protocol for the CKD group. RESULTS: The risk of acute kidney injury was about ×3 higher in the CKD group than in the normal group (p=0.01). Estimated glomerular filtration rates and serum creatinine levels deteriorated until the third postoperative day in the CKD group. However, by adopting protocol-based perioperative management, this transient renal dysfunction recovered to preoperative levels by the fifth postoperative day without requiring renal replacement therapy in all cases. CONCLUSION: Off-pump coronary bypass surgery combined with this protocol-based perioperative management strategy in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD could mostly be performed without renal replacement therapy.

Periprocedural myocardial infarction resulting in a ventricular septal defect.

Although periprocedural myocardial infarction frequently occurs with the robustness of percutaneous coronary intervention, the prognosis of the periprocedural myocardial infarction has been known to be relatively good compared with that of spontaneous myocardial infarction. We present a patient with a postinfarction ventricular septal defect, with cardiogenic shock, that developed 7 days after a percutaneous coronary intervention. Emergency surgical repair combined with coronary artery bypass grafting saved the patient, without complications.

Double accessory left atrial chordae tendineae resulting in mitral regurgitation.

The presence of accessory left atrial chordae tendineae inserting into the mitral valve leaflet is extremely rare. Two long and thin accessory chordae tendineae, one arising from the left atrial dome and the other from the inferior interatrial septum, were incidentally identified during corrective surgery for severe mitral regurgitation from A3 prolapse. Triangular resection of the A3 portion of the anterior mitral valve leaflet including the double accessory chordae tendineae and primary repair followed by posterior ring annuloplasty was successfully performed.

Surgical anterior ventricular endocardial restoration performed with total arterial revascularization: serial 5-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the changes in left ventricular (LV) function and volumes after surgical anterior ventricular endocardial restoration. METHODS: A total of 63 patients who had undergone surgical anterior ventricular endocardial restoration and total arterial revascularization were included. Echocardiography and myocardial single photon emission computed tomography were performed to examine LV function and volumes preoperatively, early postoperatively, and annually thereafter to 5 years after surgery. Coronary angiography was performed at 5 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 7.9% (5 of 63). Echocardiograms performed before discharge demonstrated a significantly improved LV ejection fraction that was maintained at 5 years, significantly decreased early postoperative LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes that were slightly increased at 1 year and then maintained at 5 years, and early postoperative decrement of the stroke volume index that had disappeared at 1 year and had not reappeared by 5 years. Postoperative myocardial single photon emission computed tomography showed an LV ejection fraction that had gradually improved until 2 years and was maintained at 5 years, significantly decreased LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes that were maintained at 5 years, and a stroke volume index that was unchanged until 2 years and slightly increased at 3 to 4 years. The arterial graft patency rate in the left coronary territory was 95.7% (67 of 70) at 5 years. The 10-year overall survival and adverse event-free rate were 59.2% and 61.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Improved LV ejection fraction and reduced volume indexes were maintained and the stroke volume index had not decreased at 5 years after the procedure. Preserved patency of the arterial grafts might have an important role in maintaining improved LV function.

Equivalency of right internal thoracic artery and right gastroepiploic artery composite grafts: five-year outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We compared 5-year graft patency rates and long-term clinical outcomes after myocardial revascularization using the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) and right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) as a Y-composite graft anastomosed to the in situ left internal thoracic artery. METHODS: Of 443 patients who underwent off-pump coronary revascularization exclusively using arterial Y-composite grafts, the RITA (n = 114) or RGEA (n = 329) was anastomosed to the side of the in situ left internal thoracic artery. A propensity score-matched analysis was used to match patients using the RITA (RITA group, n = 105) with patients using the RGEA (RGEA group, n = 105). Five-year angiographic patency rates and long-term clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in early mortality and postoperative complication rates between the RITA and RGEA groups. Five-year postoperative angiography showed no significant differences in overall graft patency (95.0% versus 95.1%; p = 0.895) and second-limb conduit patency (RITA versus RGEA, 93.4% versus 92.1%; p = 0.704) rates between the two groups. Propensity score-adjusted multivariable analysis revealed that previous history of percutaneous coronary intervention was the only significant risk factor for second-limb conduit occlusion at 5 years postoperatively (p = 0.003). No differences in overall survival (p = 0.703) and freedom from cardiac death (p = 0.968) rates were observed between the two groups. Reintervention-free survival (p = 0.236) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event-free survival (p = 0.704) rates were also similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Total arterial revascularization using RITA and RGEA Y-composite grafts based on the in situ left internal thoracic artery showed comparable results in terms of 5-year angiographic patency rates and long-term clinical outcomes.

Bilateral internal thoracic artery in situ versus y-composite graftings: five-year angiographic patency and long-term clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We compared 5-year graft patency rates and long-term clinical outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) using bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) as in situ grafts with those using bilateral ITAs as a Y-composite graft. METHODS: Of 398 patients who underwent OPCAB, bilateral ITAs were used as in situ grafts in 164 patients and as a Y-composite graft in 234 patients. A propensity score-matched analysis was used to match patients using bilateral ITA in situ grafts (group I, n=110) with patients using bilateral ITA Y-composite grafts (group Y, n=110). Postoperative early, 1-year, and 5-year angiographic patency rates and long-term clinical outcomes during follow-up of 104 (1 to 149) months were compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in operative mortalities (2 of 110 vs 1 of 110; p>0.999) and postoperative complications between groups I and Y. Early, 1-year, and 5-year postoperative angiographies showed no significant differences in bilateral ITA graft patency rates between groups I and Y (early, 98.2% vs 99.3%, p=0.450; 1-year, 92.5% vs 95.7%, p=0.138; 5-year, 92.5% vs 92.4%, p=0.978). No differences in overall survival (p=0.347) and freedom from cardiac death (p=0.780) rates were observed between the groups; 10-year freedom from cardiac death rates were 95.1% and 94.2% in groups I and Y, respectively. Reintervention-free survival (p=0.379) and major adverse cardiac event-free survival (p=0.338) rates were also similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The OPCAB using both bilateral ITA configurations demonstrated that there were no differences in terms of 5-year patency rates and long-term clinical outcomes between the groups.

Right gastroepiploic artery graft for myocardial revascularization: prevalence of atherosclerosis and availability as a conduit.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated prevalence of atherosclerosis and availability of right gastroepiploic artery graft in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: Among the 1,579 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between January 1999 and December 2008, we opened the peritoneum to examine the right gastroepiploic artery for use as a graft in 1,128 patients (71.4%). A computer-based patient database system was utilized for this retrospective study. RESULTS: Of 1,128 patients, 139 patients (12.3%) had atherosclerotic right gastroepiploic arteries at gross examination. Seventy-three of 139 atherosclerotic right gastroepiploic arteries had multiple or diffuse atherosclerotic lesions that precluded their use as a bypass graft; the remaining 66 right gastroepiploic arteries were used as a bypass graft including the atheromatous segment or after exclusion of the atherosclerotic segment. Another 60 nonatherosclerotic right gastroepiploic arteries were unavailable to use as a graft because of their short length, small caliber, and weak pulsation. Overall availability of the right gastroepiploic arteries as a graft was 88.2% (995 of 1,128). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed older age (≥65 years; p < 0.001), insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), and chronic renal failure (p < 0.001) as independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of atherosclerosis and availability of the right gastroepiploic artery graft in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting was 12.3% and 88.2%, respectively. Older age (≥65 years), insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure were identified as independent predictors for the atherosclerotic right gastroepiploic artery.

Availability of the right gastroepiploic artery for coronary artery bypass grafting: preoperative multidetector CT evaluation.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography for prediction of availability of the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). This study included 149 patients who underwent both preoperative MDCT angiography and exploratory laparotomy to harvest the RGEA for CABG. The prediction of availability of RGEA using the MDCT finding was evaluated by comparing it to an exploratory laparotomy evaluation of RGEA as a gold standard. The MDCT findings of atherosclerosis and diameter of the RGEA were analyzed. The atherosclerosis of other visceral branches was also analyzed for the detection of affecting factors to the availability for CABG. Atherosclerotic change of vessel was defined as findings including vessel wall calcification, luminal irregularity, aneurysmal change, and apparent atheroma. For statistical analysis, unpaired t-test and receiver operating curve analyses were used to compare the size of the RGEA, and the chi-square test was used to evaluate significant determinant factors of RGEA availability. In exploratory laparotomy, 21 out of 149 RGEAs were classified as inappropriate as a graft for CABG. The reason for inappropriateness was atherosclerosis of RGEA in 15 patients and small diameter in six patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of MDCT angiography for assessing RGEA atherosclerosis was 60, 99.6, 94.7 and 96.1%, respectively. Atherosclerotic change of the RGEA itself was the only significant determinant factor for predicting the appropriateness of each RGEA. The mean diameter was 1.94 mm in 21 inappropriate RGEAs and 2.41 mm in 128 appropriate RGEAs. This difference was significant (P = 0.001). The least diameter of appropriate RGEA was 1.4 mm on MDCT angiography, and the cut-off value determined by ROC analysis was 1.8 mm with 82.8% of sensitivity and 61.9% of specificity for inappropriate RGEA, and the area under the curve value was 0.729. MDCT is useful preoperative evaluation tool for RGEA availability. Findings of atherosclerosis of the RGEA and a small diameter on MDCT angiography suggest inappropriateness of the RGEA for CABG surgery.

Comparison of right internal thoracic artery and right gastroepiploic artery Y grafts anastomosed to the left internal thoracic artery.

BACKGROUND: Early and 1-year results of arterial Y composite grafts anastomosed to the in situ left internal thoracic artery were studied. METHODS: Three hundred twelve patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass using arterial Y composite grafts for revascularization of the left coronary artery territory were analyzed. A skeletonized right internal thoracic artery (RITA) or right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) was anastomosed to the side of the left internal thoracic artery to construct a Y composite graft. Propensity-matched analysis was used to match patients using RITA (RITA group, n = 102) with patients using RGEA (RGEA group, n = 102). Postoperative coronary angiographies were performed early (200 of 204; 1.8 +/- 1.7 days) and 1 year (171 of 204, 11.3 +/- 2.5 months) postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no differences in postoperative mortalities (1 of 102 versus 2 of 102; p = 1.000) and morbidities including atrial fibrillation, mediastinitis, and perioperative myocardial infarction between the RITA and RGEA groups (not significant). Early and 1-year postoperative angiographies showed that there were no significant differences in patency rate between the two groups (early, 99.4% versus 99.3%; p = 1.000; 1-year, 95.4% versus 97.4%; p = 0.251). When the early and 1-year patency rates were compared based on the side-arm graft used, there were no differences in patency rates of RITA versus RGEA grafts between the two groups (early, 99.4% versus 100%; p = 1.000; 1-year, 96.5% versus 97.7%; p = 0.724). CONCLUSIONS: Construction of Y composite grafts using the RITA or RGEA showed comparable results including patency rates early and 1 year postoperatively.

Therapeutic angiogenesis using naked DNA expressing two isoforms of the hepatocyte growth factor in a porcine acute myocardial infarction model.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the potency of therapeutic angiogenesis using intramyocardial injection of naked DNA expressing two isoforms of hepatocyte growth factor (pCK-HGF-X7) in a porcine myocardial infarction model. METHODS: Four weeks after left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, 14 pigs were allocated to pCK-Null (negative control, n=7) or pCK-HGF-X7 (n=7) treatment groups. Gated myocardial single photon emission computed tomography was performed 4 and 8 weeks following coronary ligation. The effect of pCK-HGF-X7 on capillary density in the gene-injected myocardium was examined by histological analysis using alkaline phosphatase staining. RESULTS: Segmental myocardial perfusion of the underperfused area (< or =70%) from coronary ligation increased in the pCK-HGF-X7 group (p=0.051), without significant differences in changes over time between the two groups (p=0.54). Systolic wall thickening (p=0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic (p=0.045) and end-systolic volumes (p=0.009), and left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.041) changed in both groups without significant differences in changes over time between the two groups. The increase in the left stoke volume was higher in the pCK-HGF-X7 group than in the pCK-Null group (p=0.008). Histological analysis showed that capillary density was significantly higher in the pCK-HGF-X7 group than the pCK-Null group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Intramyocardial injection of pCK-HGF-X7 induced significant angiogenesis at infarct-border zone, and increased the left ventricular stroke volume probably caused by reverse remodeling process.

Midterm angiographic follow-up after off-pump coronary artery bypass: serial comparison using early, 1-year, and 5-year postoperative angiograms.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the angiographic changes of the anastomotic sites at three time points for 5 years after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: Of the 402 patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery between January 1998 and December 2001, 240 patients who received the early, 1-year, and 5-year follow-up coronary angiograms regardless of the patient's anginal symptoms were studied. Morphologic changes of grafts were traced by the FitzGibbon grading system. RESULTS: Overall graft patency rates (FitzGibbon grade A+B) at early, 1-year, and 5-year angiography were 98.6%, 91.9%, and 88.3%, respectively. Graft patency rates in the left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery territories were similar at early angiograms (P = .162). However, graft patency rate in the left anterior descending artery territory was higher than that in the left circumflex artery and right coronary artery territories at both the 1-year (P < .001) and 5-year (P < .001) angiograms. Of the 31 FitzGibbon grade B arterial grafts (internal thoracic artery and right gastroepiploic artery) at early angiography, 10 became occluded and 19 became grade A at 5-year angiography. In the saphenous vein grafts, grade B lesions gradually increased during the 5 postoperative years (2.6% vs 6.5% vs 13.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Midterm angiographic follow-up demonstrated acceptable patency rates of grafts after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Approximately half of the FitzGibbon grade B arterial grafts in the early angiograms became grade A at 5 years after surgery, but the proportion of grade B saphenous vein grafts gradually increased over the 5 postoperative years.

Influence of vein graft use on postoperative 1-year results after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the postoperative 1-year results after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) with one or more saphenous vein grafts. METHODS: We compared the clinical and angiographic results of 833 patients who underwent OPCAB between 1998 and 2004. Group 1 patients (n=135) received one or more vein grafts. Group 2 patients (n=698) received total arterial grafts. Coronary angiographies were performed early postoperatively (n=804, 1.6+/-1.5 days), and 1 year postoperatively (n=671, 12.1+/-4.2 months). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics, operative mortalities, and morbidities between the two groups (p=ns). Both the early postoperative and 1-year angiographies demonstrated significantly lower overall graft patency rates in group 1 than in group 2 (early: 90.9% vs 99.1%, p<0.001; 1 year: 78.8% vs 95.1%, p<0.001), which might be affected by the lower vein graft patency rates in group 1 (early: 86.4%; 1 year: 67.9%). There was no difference in the 1-year patency of internal thoracic arteries between the two groups (94.3% vs 95.6%, p=0.402). Multivariate analysis demonstrated the use of vein graft (Odds ratio=5.204, p<0.001) as an independent predictor of graft failure during the first postoperative year. Target vessel revascularization rate during the postoperative 1 year was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (7.4% vs 2.0%, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that saphenous vein graft use in OPCAB independently predicted the graft failure while increasing the target vessel revascularization rate during the first postoperative year. Exclusive arterial revascularization would be a preferable strategy in OPCAB.

Progressive improvement of myocardial perfusion after off-pump revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic arteries: comparison of early versus 1-year postoperative myocardial single photon emission computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the time course of myocardial perfusion improvement after off-pump revascularization. METHODS: Seventy-six patients who underwent off-pump coronary bypass with bilateral internal thoracic arteries for revascularization of the left coronary territory were studied. Myocardial single photon emission computed tomography was performed preoperatively and at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. Myocardial perfusion was quantified with automatic software, and the left coronary territory was divided into 16 segments. As an indicator of the ischemic myocardium, the reversibility score was defined as a measure of rest minus stress perfusion values. A total of 403 segments that showed a reversibility score of 7 or greater preoperatively were included. RESULTS: The reversibility score was improved significantly at 3 months postoperatively (P < .001) and further improved 1 year after the operation (P < .001). When the patients were divided into 2 groups based on the type of bilateral internal thoracic arteries used (group Y: Y-composite graft, n = 39; group I: bilateral in situ grafts, n = 37), the reversibility score was improved significantly 3 months after the operation (P < .001) and further improved 1 year after the operation (P < .001) in both groups. There were no significant differences in the reversibility scores between groups Y and I at postoperative month 3 (P = .463). The scores approached zero in both groups at 1 year postoperatively (group Y, -1.7% +/- 7.9%; group I, 1.3% +/- 7.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The myocardial reversibility score improved greatly during the first 3 months after the operation and further improved until 1 year postoperatively. Perfusion improvement was similar between the Y-composite and bilateral in situ internal thoracic artery grafts in terms of the reversibility score.

Long-term results of the Cox-Maze III procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease: 10-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the long-term results of the Cox-Maze III procedure (CM-III) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with rheumatic mitral valve (MV) disease. METHODS: We analyzed 127 patients who underwent the CM-III combined with a rheumatic MV procedure between 1994 and 2004. In-hospital mortalities were excluded from the study. RESULTS: There were 10 late deaths and the mean follow-up duration was 7.1+/-2.8 years (range, 13 months to 11.5 years). Normal sinus rhythm was restored in 88.2% (112/127) after the CM-III. Right atrial contractility was demonstrable in 100% (112/112) and left atrial contractility in 68.8% (77/112) of the patients restored to sinus rhythm. Fifteen patients never regained sinus rhythm after the CM-III (AF treatment failure). Permanent pacemakers were implanted in 4.7% (6/127) of the patients during the follow-up. Late recurrence of AF developed in 34 of 112 patients at 44+/-27 months postoperatively, and sinus rhythm was restored in 29 of 34 patients by administration of an antiarrhythmic medication. Independent risk factors for late AF recurrence were longer duration of AF (>60 months) (odds ratio (OR)=2.758, p=0.025), increased left atrial size (OR=1.113, p=0.004). Freedom from AF recurrence was 93% at 1-year, 82% at 3 years, 71% at 5 years, and 63% at 7 years. Risk factors for AF treatment failure were longer duration of AF (>60 months) (p<0.001) and increased patient age (p=0.030). A higher prevalence of significant late tricuspid regurgitation was observed in patients with AF treatment failure and those with late AF recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The CM-III for persistent AF associated with rheumatic MV disease demonstrated a progressively decreased cure rate during the follow-up period. Early surgical therapy, aggressive left atrial reduction, and correction of tricuspid regurgitation at the time of surgery may increase the long-term success rate.