A new technique for intraoperative graft angiography utilizing the radial artery stump.

BACKGROUND: Angiographic visualization is the gold standard in evaluating the patency of newly constructed bypass grafts. With the growth of beating heart bypass grafting procedures, there is a need to confirm patency and document the success of the operative techniques. METHODS: We have developed a new technique for performing intraoperative graft angiography following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) when utilizing the left radial artery as a free graft. Once the radial artery is removed, the proximal radial artery stump is cannulated using a standard femoral introducer sheath passed over an appropriately sized guide wire. The introducer is secured by simple ligature and the arm remains abducted during the construction of the grafts. Prior to heparin reversal, standard coronary angiographic catheters are introduced through the sheath and intraoperative images of the grafts obtained. RESULTS: Transsternal OPCAB was performed in 7 patients using the left radial artery as a free graft followed by transradial artery completion angiography. A total of 18 grafts (2.5 per patient) were examined with an immediate patency rate of 100% and TIMI grade 3 flow in all grafts. Mean fluoroscopy time was 8.21 minutes. No angiographic or surgical complications occurred in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Beating heart coronary bypass grafting is evolving as a new standard that competes with the traditional technique of cardiopulmonary bypass and elective cardiac arrest. With newer digital portable fluoroscopy systems, excellent imaging of newly constructed grafts can be obtained prior to completion of the procedure using a transradial approach. Verification of graft patency is the essential element in protecting the quality of surgical coronary artery reconstruction in the new era of beating heart surgery.

Minimally invasive direct coronary bypass versus cardiopulmonary technique: angiographic comparison.

BACKGROUND: Studies comparing minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCABG) with techniques using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are needed. METHODS: Sixteen patients underwent single-vessel left internal thoracic artery-left anterior descending (LITA-LAD) MIDCABG through a left anterior thoracotomy, and 10 underwent multivessel bypass grafting that included a LITA-LAD, using CPB. Intraoperative completion angiography was performed on all LITA-LAD bypasses, and graded. One point each was given for: anastomotic patency, pedicle patency, intercostal obliteration, proper placement into the correct native coronary artery, and Thrombosis In Myocardial Ischemia grade III flow. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative deaths or morbidities. LITA takedown averaged 49 +/- 18.6 minutes for MIDCABG and 16 +/- 2.0 minutes for CPB CABG (p < 0.05). LITA length did not differ between groups (15.3 +/- 1.2 cm for MIDCABG, 14.3 +/- 1.08 cm for CPB CABG). Ischemic arrest time was significantly less for the CPB group (13.3 +/- 8.3 minutes versus 24.5 +/- 9.6 minutes; p < 0.05). Average grade for MIDCABG LITA-LAD was 4.06 +/- 0.98 points versus 4.77 +/- 0.98 points for CPB LITA-LAD bypass (p = not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative completion angiography is feasible and, when combined with a grading system, may facilitate the comparison of MIDCABG with standard techniques.

Right parasternal incision: a uniform minimally invasive approach for valve operations.

The right parasternal incision can be used for replacing or repairing cardiac valves. A specialized retractor system produces excellent exposure and helps avoid groin cannulation. The approach reduces surgical dissection and trauma, does not require sacrifice of mammary arteries, prevents rib spreading, avoids sternotomy, reduces the risk of cardiac injury at subsequent redo operations, and does not require specialized video or thoracoscopic equipment.

Reduction in costs, blood products, and operating time in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that use of aprotinin at hall dose would be more cost-effective or as efficacious as full-dose aprotinin or no aprotinin during open heart surgery. DESIGN: Cost-effective analysis, unmasked prospective comparison. SETTING: Community hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-three patients undergoing open heart surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients in 3 consecutive groups undergoing open heart surgery were allocated to receive no aprotinin, full-dose aprotinin, or half-dose aprotinin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total cost (in dollars) of blood products administered plus cost of aprotinin at various dosages, comparison of total blood products administered during hospitalization, and closure time required in the operating room. RESULTS: Full-dose and half-dose aprotinin significantly (P < .05) reduced the total blood products administered during hospitalization and the operating room closure time. However, use of half-dose aprotinin resulted in a significant cost savings (P < .05) when compared with either the cost of blood products required in the nodose aprotinin group or the cost of blood products plus aprotinin in the full-dose aprotinin group. CONCLUSION: Use of aprotinin at half dose in a community hospital resulted in a significant reduction in costs, blood product use, and operating room closure time in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Intraoperative angiography during minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass operations.

BACKGROUND: The technical demands of beating heart operations raise concerns about anastomotic patency. This feasibility study tested the usefulness of intraoperative angiography during minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCABG). METHODS: Ten patients underwent intraoperative angiography of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) after MIDCABG. Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting was performed on a beating heart through the fourth or fifth intercostal space. Angiography was performed through the right or left femoral artery with a 7F introducer system placed before the operation. Views were obtained in the right and left anterior oblique and straight anterior projections. RESULTS: There were no deaths or intraoperative morbidities related to MIDCABG or angiography. Seven patients demonstrated widely patent MIDCABG anastomoses with obliteration of all intercostals, widely patent ITA pedicles, good distal runoff, and placement of the ITA into the proper native coronary artery. Two patients had revisions of their ITA pedicles, which on repeated angiography showed correction. One patient's procedure was converted to a sternotomy because of poor distal runoff and haziness at the level of the MIDCABG anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study demonstrates the utility of intraoperative ITA angiography in identifying problems after MIDCABG. Intraoperative angiography may facilitate MIDCABG by documenting proper placement of conduits, obliteration of intercostal vessels, and patency of the MIDCABG anastomosis and ITA pedicle.