Clinical Efficacy of Permanent Internal Mammary Artery Occlusion in Chronic Coronary Syndrome: a Double-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial.

The CLIMACCS trial, a randomized, sham-controlled trial tested the CLinical efficacy of permanent internal mammary artery (IMA) device occlusion on symptoms in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), on coronary artery occlusive blood supply, and on myocardial ischemia. This was a prospective trial in 101 patients with CCS randomly allocated (1:1) to IMA device occlusion (verum group) or to IMA sham intervention (placebo group). The primary study endpoint was the change in treadmill exercise time (ΔET in seconds, s) at 6 weeks after trial intervention. Secondary study endpoints were the changes in collateral flow index (CFI), and angina pectoris during a simultaneous 1-minute proximal balloon occlusion of a coronary artery. CFI is the ratio between simultaneous mean coronary occlusive divided by mean aortic pressure both subtracted by central venous pressure. In the verum and placebo group, exercise time changed from 398±176s to 421±198s in the verum group (p=0.1745), and from 426±162s to 430±166s in the placebo group (p=0.55); DET amounted to +23±116s and +4±120s, respectively (p=0.44). CFI change during follow-up equalled +0.022±0.061 in the verum and-0.039±0.072 in the placebo group (p<0.0001). Angina pectoris at follow-up during the coronary balloon occlusion for CFI measurement had decreased or disappeared in 20/48 patients of the verum, and in 9/47 patients of the placebo group (p=0.0242). In conclusion, permanent IMA device occlusion tends to augment treadmill exercise time in response to heightened coronary artery occlusive blood supply, the fact of which is reflected by mitigated symptoms and signs of myocardial ischemia.

Level of Perivascular Inflammation Is Significantly Lower Around the Left Internal Mammary Artery Than Around Native Coronary Arteries.

BACKGROUND: The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is protected from developing atherosclerosis. Perivascular inflammation, which is closely associated with atherosclerosis, can be measured by perivascular adipose tissue attenuation on computed tomography angiography. Whether the absence of atherosclerosis in LIMA is related to the lower level of perivascular inflammation is unknown. This study was performed to compare the level of perivascular inflammation between LIMA in situ and native coronary arteries in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 573 patients who underwent both computed tomography angiography and optical coherence tomography imaging were included. The level of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation between LIMA in situ and coronary arteries was compared. Perivascular adipose tissue attenuation around LIMA in situ was significantly lower around the 3 coronary arteries (-82.9 [-87.3 to -78.0] versus -70.8 [-75.9 to -65.9]; P<0.001), irrespective of the level of pericoronary inflammation or the number of vulnerable features on optical coherence tomography. When patients were divided into high and low pericoronary inflammation groups, those in the high inflammation group had more target vessel failure (hazard ratio, 2.97 [95% CI, 1.16-7.59]; P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that perivascular adipose tissue attenuation was significantly lower around LIMA in situ than around native coronary arteries. The lower level of perivascular inflammation may be related to the low prevalence of atherosclerosis in LIMA. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT04523194.

VATS thoracic duct clipping in post-CABG with chylothorax.

Post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, chylothorax is a rare, but a serious, complication. We report a case of 49-year-old female who underwent CABG, and developed pleural effusion on post-operative day 2 which was milky in nature. Chylothorax was confirmed based on the biochemical analysis of the pleural fluid. As the medical line of management failed, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was done and thoracic duct clipped on the right side. Close to the proximal portion of the left internal thoracic artery, disrupted tributaries of thoracic duct were noted and clipped. Rarity of the case and management is highlighted.

Predominant Use of Bilateral Internal Mammary Arteries in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been shown to provide long-term clinical benefits over single internal mammary artery (SIMA) grafting. Nevertheless, the perceived technical complexity of the procedure and concerns about potential early postoperative complications, particularly, sternal wound infections, have led to a utilization rate of BIMA grafting of less than 5% in the United States. We systematically compared early (30-day) postoperative outcomes between the BIMA and SIMA cohorts in patients with similar baseline characteristics. A retrospective single-center study was conducted on matched patients, using stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting to mitigate bias between the 2 study cohorts. From 546 patients who underwent off-pump CABG initially identified, we examined 328 B.M. and 213 SIMA grafts from the matched samples. Despite using 60.4% BIMA grafts, we observed similar rates of 30-day overall and cardiac mortality between the BIMA and SIMA groups. The rates of 30-day postoperative complications, including superficial and deep sternal wound infections, stroke, sepsis, acute kidney injury, and cardiac arrest, were similar between the 2 groups. The rates of 30-day overall and cardiac readmission were also similar. In addition, the median length of hospital stays, intensive care unit stay, and ventilation times were similar between the 2 groups. In conclusion, our data suggest that a BIMA utilization rate of 60.4% in off-pump CABG procedures is achievable without causing any significant increment in early postoperative complications, including deep sternal wound infection.

Internal mammary artery perforator flap for repair of an upper thoracic tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

Tracheoesophageal fistulas (TOF) following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer are rare but potentially fatal. There is no consensus on treatment between stenting and surgical repair, although the latter is associated with better distant survival. In surgical repair, the interposition of a flap improves healing by providing well-vascularized tissue and reinforcing the repair zone. The flaps described are usually muscular and decaying. We present the case of a malnourished fifty-year-old man who underwent intrathoracic surgical repair of symptomatic recurrent TOF using a skin flap based on the perforators of the internal thoracic artery (IMAP). The perforator flap was completely de-epidermized and tunneled under the sternum by a proximal and limited resection of the 3rd costal cartilage and placed at the posterior aspect of the trachea, with the excess tissue rolled up on either side. At 9 months, the patient showed no recurrence and improved general condition. The de-epidermized IMAP tunneled under the sternum intrathoracically is a reliable alternative to the conventional muscle flaps described in TOF management and an attractive additional tool in the plastic surgeon's surgical arsenal.

Reconstruction of the anterior chest wall using the internal mammary artery perforator flap (IMAP): About a series of 23 cases.

BACKGROUND: The advent of propeller flaps has permitted new and less invasive coverage solutions for thoracic defects compared to conventional flaps. Through a retrospective analysis of our cases, we would like to show the advantages of the internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap for anterior chest wall reconstruction. METHODS: We included patients who underwent anterior chest wall reconstruction with an IMAP propeller flap in the Toulouse University Hospital's plastic surgery department from January 2019 to December 2022. The data were collected on patient data, skin defects, and flap characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty-three IMAP flaps were realized to cover locoregional defects. The skin paddle size of the IMAP flap averaged 15.6cm long (12-20)×6.7cm wide (4-10). The average arc of rotation of the flap was 113.5° (range 70-140°). In 3 cases, the IMAP flap was performed with a superior epigastric artery perforator flap (SEAP). In 3 cases out of 23, the flap partially necrotized, requiring surgical revision. In 1 case, the flap was fully necrotized and had to be removed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our series of 23 IMAP flaps on thoracic reconstruction is one of the largest published to date. Our series shows that the IMAP flap offers a simple and reliable solution with minor donor site morbidity for reconstructing small to medium-sized defects in the medial and paramedian regions of the chest wall.

Preoperative Quantitative Flow Ratio, Intraoperative Transit Time Flow Measurement Parameters, and Their Predictive Value for Short-Term Graft Failure After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the relationship between the preoperative quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and parameters of intraoperative transit time flow measurement (TTFM) are extremely rare. In addition, the predictive value of QFR and TTFM parameters for early internal mammary artery (IMA) failure after coronary artery bypass grafting still needs to be validated.Methods and Results: We retrospectively collected data from 510 patients who underwent in situ IMA grafting to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery at Fuwai Hospital. Spearman correlation coefficients between preoperative QFR of the LAD artery and intraoperative TTFM parameters of the IMA were -0.13 (P=0.004) for mean graft flow (Qm) and 0.14 (P=0.002) for the pulsatility index (PI). QFR and TTFM exhibited similar and good predictive value for early IMA failure (5.7% at 1 year), and they were better than percentage diameter stenosis (area under the curve 0.749 for QFR, 0.733 for Qm, 0.688 for PI, and 0.524 for percentage diameter stenosis). The optimal cut-off value of QFR was 0.765. Both univariate and multivariable regression analyses revealed that QFR >0.765, Qm ≤15 mL/min, and PI >3.0 independently contributed to early IMA failure. CONCLUSIONS: There were statistically significant correlations between preoperative QFR of the LAD artery and intraoperative TTFM parameters (Qm, PI) of the IMA. Preoperative QFR and intraoperative Qm and PI exhibited excellent predictive value for early IMA failure.

Endovascular Embolization for Idiopathic Serial Right Internal Mammary Artery Aneurysms.

CLINICAL IMAPCT: This article showed images of a patient with idiopathic serial right internal mammary artery true aneurysms treated by endovascular embolization, which is a rare diagnosis and should be considered in differential diagnosis of paratracheal mass.

[Fifteen-year results of bilateral and unilateral internal mammary artery grafting]. / Pyatnadtsatiletnie rezul'taty revaskulyarizatsii miokarda s ispol'zovaniem dvukh i odnoi vnutrennei grudnoi arterii.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of bilateral internal mammary artery grafting over long-term (15 years) postoperative period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 276 patients divided into two groups: 135 patients (group A) underwent bilateral internal mammary artery grafting and 141 patients (group B) underwent unilateral internal mammary artery grafting together with venous bypass grafts. On-pump surgeries and cardioplegia, parallel CPB and on-pump procedures were performed in equal proportions. Mean age of patients was 57.3±7.6 years. Diabetes mellitus was detected in 21 (15.5%) and 24 (19.1%) patients, respectively (p>0.05). Mean LV ejection fraction was 55.4±9.9%, revascularization index - 3.1±0.8 and 3.0±0.7, respectively. In the 1st group, 43 patients underwent bilateral internal mammary artery grafting alone. Autovenous grafts were additionally used in other 84 patients. RESULTS: Ten-year survival exceeded 90% in both groups. Freedom from adverse cardiac events after 15 years was significantly higher in group A (77.3% vs. 59.3%, p=0.018). In group A, 16 patients died throughout this period due to cancer (50%), myocardial infarction (12.5%), stroke (18.8%) and complications of diabetes mellitus (6.3%). In group B, 22 patients died mainly from cardiac causes (myocardial infarction - 40.9%, cancer - 27.3%). CONCLUSION: Bilateral internal mammary artery grafting has obvious advantages over traditional coronary artery bypass grafting. If we take into account higher proportion of cardiac causes in structure of mortality in group B, we can talk about positive impact of bilateral internal mammary artery grafting not only on the quality of life, but also on life expectancy in long-term postoperative period.

Outcomes of internal mammary artery perforator flap in head and neck reconstruction: A systematic review.

This study aims to evaluate the functional and prognostic outcomes associated with the internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap in various head and neck defect repairs, given the current lack of clarity on its effectiveness. We performed a systematic review of various databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect using keywords such as "Internal mammary artery perforator flap" and "IMAP." Screening and data extractions were performed by two individual reviewers. Articles were considered eligible if they included sufficient information on IMAP flap features, their applications in the head and neck, and outcomes. From 264 articles analyzed, 24 studies were included for qualitative analysis. Out of which, 125 patients who received internal mammary artery perforator flaps were included. Most of the patients, 103 (88%), received pedicled IMAP flaps, and 22 (12%) received IMAP free flaps. The second internal mammary artery (IMA) was favored as the single perforator (81.5%), with the combination of the first and second IMA being the primary choice for dual perforators (92.5%). IMAP flaps were predominantly single perforator flaps (65%), with 35% being dual perforator flaps. Among various applications, IMAP flaps are commonly employed in the reconstruction of neck defects (25.5%), pharyngocutaneous fistula repair (20.8%), and burn scar contracture restoration (8%). Only seven (5.6%) patients had flap complications, including venous congestion (1.6%), partial necrosis (1.6%), complete necrosis (1.6%), and incision dehiscence (0.8%). Donor sites were predominantly closed by the primary closure (92%). 3.2% of donor sites had minor complications. The average follow-up was 12.6 (IQR: 6-18) months. This systematic review highlights the effectiveness and safety of IMAP flaps in head and neck reconstruction, with positive outcomes and minimal complications.

The internal mammary artery perforator flap in pharyngoesophageal, cervical tracheal, and cutaneous neck reconstruction.

The internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap is an evolution of the deltopectoral flap that is harvested based upon a single perforator from the internal mammary artery. Its favorable characteristics include pliability as a fasciocutaneous flap, ease of harvest, and minimal donor site morbidity. In this paper, we report our harvest technique and the versatility of the IMAP flap for pharyngoesophageal, cervical tracheal, and cutaneous neck defects. We seek to highlight the IMAP as a useful regional reconstructive option in both the primary and salvage reconstructive setting. As such, this flap is an important option in the head and neck reconstructive surgeon's armamentarium.

Internal Mammary Artery-saphenous Vein Y Anastomosis in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting - Is there a Possibility of Coronary Steal?

Recent advances in coronary revascularization include total arterial grafting, however, in a few cases, harvesting the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) is not possible due to various reasons. In such cases, where the aorta is also calcified, few surgeons perform Y anastomosis configuration with the left internal thoracic artery(LITA) and saphenous vein which can have disastrous complications. Our patient is a 65-year-old man who was diagnosed with multivessel coronary disease and presented with a coronary steal during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. The RITA was not harvested due to osteoporosis sternum. LITA-saphenous vein Y anastomosis configuration was done as the aorta was calcified. The anastomosis was done between the LITA to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the Y arm saphenous vein was anastomosed to an obtuse marginal (OM)branch. He developed coronary steal following anastomosis of the Y graft to the OM branch. The patient had ischemic changes inside the operation theatre in LAD territory, hence grafts were revised following which the patient became stable. There is a high possibility of a coronary steal when the caliber of the Y arm does not match with the LITA. LITA-saphenous vein Y anastomosis can cause more complications as the saphenous vein is much bigger in caliber compared to the LITA.

Multiple arterial vs. single arterial coronary artery bypass grafting: sex-related differences in outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Uncertainty exists over whether multiple arterial grafting has a sex-related association with survival after coronary artery bypass grafting. This study aims to compare the long-term survival of using multiple arterial grafting vs. single arterial grafting in women and men undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: The retrospective study used the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiothoracic Surgical Database with linkage to the National Death Index. Patients from 2001 to 2020 were identified. Sex-stratified, inverse probability weighted Cox proportional hazard model was used to facilitate survival comparisons. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total number of 54 275 adult patients receiving at least two grafts in primary isolated bypass operations were analysed. The entire study cohort consisted of 10 693 (19.7%) female patients and 29 711 (54.7%) multiple arterial grafting procedures. At a median (interquartile range) postoperative follow-up of 4.9 (2.3-8.4) years, mortality was significantly lower in male patients undergoing multiarterial than single arterial procedures (adjusted hazard ratio 0.82; 95% confidence interval 0.77-0.87; P < .001). The survival benefit was also significant for females (adjusted hazard ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.76-0.91; P < .001) at a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 5.2 (2.4-8.7) years. The interaction model from Cox regression suggested insignificant subgroup effect from sex (P = .08) on the observed survival advantage. The survival benefits associated with multiple arterial grafting were consistent across all sex-stratified subgroups except for female patients with left main coronary disease. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to single arterial grafting, multiple arterial revascularization is associated with improved long-term survival for women as well as men.

How to harvest the left internal mammary artery-a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: It is uncertain whether Thunderbeat has a place in harvesting the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and whether skeletonization is superior to pedicle-harvested LIMA. Some investigations have shown improved flowrates in the skeletonized graft. The aim of this study was to compare 3 groups of harvesting techniques: Pedicled, surgical skeletonized and skeletonized with Thunderbeat in terms of flow rates in the LIMA and postoperative in-hospital outcomes. METHODS: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with the LIMA to the anterior descending artery were randomized to pedicled (n = 56), surgical skeletonized (n = 55) and skeletonized with Thunderbeat (n = 54). Main outcomes were blood flow and pulsatility index in the graft. RESULTS: No statistical difference between groups regarding flow in LIMA or pulsatility index. Similarly, no difference in postoperative bleeding or days of hospitalization. The duration of harvesting was faster for the pedicled technique compared with surgical skeletonized and skeletonized with Thunderbeat [mean total min: pedicled 20.2 min standard deviation (SD) ± 5.4; surgical skeletonized 28.6 min SD ± 8.7; skeletonized with Thunderbeat 28.3 min SD ± 9.11, P < 0.001]. No grafts discarded due to faulty harvesting and there was no graft failure within hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference between the harvesting methods except for a significantly faster harvesting time with the pedicled technique. However, non-touch skeletonized LIMA harvesting with Thunderbeat seems to be an effective alternative to traditional surgical skeletonized LIMA. The future will reveal whether patency is harvesting dependent. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05562908.

Long Term Survival Benefits of Different Conduits Used in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery- A Single Institutional Practice Over 20 Years.

Objective: This study determined hazard factors and long-term survival rate of total arterial coronary artery bypass graft surgery over 20 years in an extensively large, population-based cohort. Methods: A total of 2979 patients who underwent isolated CABG from April 1999 to March 2020 were studied in 4 groups- Group-A (bilateral internal mammary artery ± radial artery), Group-B (single internal mammary artery + radial artery ± saphenous vein), Group-C (single internal mammary artery ± saphenous vein; no radial artery), and Group-D (radial artery ± saphenous vein; no internal mammary artery). The study endpoints analysed the correlation between the number and types of grafts with the survival time following isolated CABG surgery. Results: The total arterial revascularization (Group A) group had an admirable mean long-term survival of ~19 years, compared to 18.6 years (Group B), 15.86 years (Group C), and 10.99 years (Group D). A Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrated confidence interval (CI) for study groups- (95% CI 18.33-19.94), (95% CI 18.14-19.06), (95% CI 15.40-16.32), and (95% CI 9.61-12.38) in Group A, B, C, D respectively. In the Holm-Sidak method analysis, significant associations existed between the number of arterial grafts and the long-term outcome. A statistically significant (P≤0.05) long-term survival advantage for arterial grafting was demonstrated, especially total arterial revascularisation over all other combinations except single internal mammary artery + radial artery grafting. Conclusion: In this series, over 20 years, total arterial CABG use has excellent long-term survival, achieving complete myocardial revascularisation. There is no significant difference between the BIMA group and SIMA with radial artery. However, there is a reduced survival with decreased use of arterial conduits.

Subcostal bilateral internal thoracic artery harvesting with the da Vinci Single Port system: an experimental feasibility study.

We evaluated the feasibility of harvesting bilateral internal thoracic arteries with the da Vinci Single Port system (SP) through a single left-sided subcostal incision. Complete bilateral mobilization with sufficiently long conduits for multivessel grafting was possible in 2 human cadavers and 2 live porcine. Creating the subcostal access and docking the SP system took between 14 and 21 min and the total harvest time ranged from 65 to 125 min in all models. No major bleeding was observed in the live porcine and hemostasis was managed with the available instrumentation. One porcine deceased during surgery due to ventricular fibrillation followed by cardiac arrest. The robotic harvesting was technically easily reproduced by the surgeons and required no additional rib-spreading. Further studies will be required to assess if this subcostal approach with the da Vinci SP system yields true clinical benefits in patients.

Internal mammary pedicle for head-and-neck reconstruction.

Free-flap reconstruction for recurrence of head-and-neck cancer with vessel depletion is a technical challenge, and the literature is sparse. The present technical note describes the key-points of an approach harvesting the internal mammary pedicle. Results are reported in 3 patients, and pros and cons are discussed.

From a Position of Known Angiographic Perfect Patency: What Happens Next?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The biological behaviour of coronary graft conduits over time may be considered by serial angiography. METHODS: A single institution retrospective cohort received mostly clinically indicated angiography between 1997 and 2020, following coronary bypass surgery. Only perfectly patent grafts (absence of any lumen irregularity) for each conduit type at the first postoperative angiogram were selected for a later comparison. The latest angiograms were at least 5 years postoperatively, and at least 1 year after first postoperative angiogram. Analysis was done according to each graft (anastomosis). Comparisons used generalised estimating equations, adjusted for binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 143 patients, there were 410 of 468 (87.6%) perfectly patent grafts at the first angiogram, analysed at 6.8±4.0 years postoperative, of which 157 were internal mammary arteries, 228 were radial arteries, and 25 were saphenous veins. At the latest angiogram (12.2±3.8 years postoperative), comparison with the first angiogram for each individual graft found preserved perfect patency for internal mammary arteries, 156 of 157 (99.4%), and for radial arteries, 227 of 228 (99.6%) but saphenous veins deteriorated considerably, 13 of 25 (52.0%). The two arterial grafts (internal mammary and radial) were superior to vein grafts (odds ratio 163; 95% confidence interval [CI] 22-1,211; p<0.001), but not different from each other (odds ratio 0.95; 95% CI 0.78-1.16; p=0.584). CONCLUSIONS: From a position of known angiographic perfect patency post-CABG, internal mammary artery and radial artery grafts retained their perfect patency in the longer term, but saphenous vein grafts did not.

Four case reports of left anterior descending restenosis treated via the internal mammary artery: A literature review.

Objective: To analyse four cases of intervention via the internal mammary artery-anterior descending branch and provide and summarise the clinical treatment experience. Methods: The clinical data of four patients with distal restenosis of a left anterior descending artery (LAD) anastomosis after left internal mammary artery (LIMA)-LAD bypass surgery, who were admitted to the Gansu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases between March 2013 and April 2022, were retrospectively analysed and reviewed together with the relevant literature. Results: Among the four patients, one was treated with intracoronary stenting via the internal mammary artery route, two were treated with intracoronary drug-coated balloon dilation (one of whom underwent fractional flow reserve [FFR] testing), and two underwent FFR testing (one of whom had a negative test result until the end of the procedure and continued to take medication during follow-up; the other patient had a positive result and further interventions). There were no deaths or postoperative complications in the group, and the patients were followed up for 4 months to 9 years, with good long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via the internal mammary artery route is safe and effective, and patients with anastomotic distal stenosis or anastomotic stenosis of LAD bypass anastomosis may be considered for PCI via the internal mammary artery route.