Abstract 16023: Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials for Graft Patency of a Second Conduit for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Abstract

Background: It has been well documented that the use of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to graft the left anterior descending (LAD) artery has a significant benefit in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, what graft is the best as a second conduit to complement LITA-LAD anastomosis remains uncertain. We thus conducted a network meta-analysis of RCTs to compare graft patency of the radial artery (RA), the right internal thoracic artery (RITA), the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA), and saphenous vein (SVG) as a second conduit in CABG. Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through February 8th, 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated graft patency of a second conduit in CABG. From each study, we extracted the incidence rate ratios (IRR) of the outcome. Results: A total of 11 RCTs were identified, including 3,434 patients and 2,171 angiographic results. There was no significant difference of IRR in graft failure among the 4 groups (vs. SVG: RA, IRR [95%CI] =0.66 [0.41-1.07]; RGEA, IRR [95% CI] =2.12 [0.54-8.38]; RITA, IRR [95% CI] =0.71 [0.32-1.60]). (Figure) Sensitivity analyses restricting trials with ≥3 years angiographic follow-up time or ≥5 years angiographic follow-up time showed no significant differences of IRR in graft failure among the four groups in both analyses. Conclusion: In a network meta-analysis of the updated outcomes from RCTs, no significant differences were observed in graft patency with the use of RA, RITA, RGEA or SVG as a second conduit in CABG.