Early results of multiple coronary artery bypass grafting on arteries less than 1.5 mm in diameter

Abstract

Abstract The widespread using of coronary artery (CA) stenting has led to the fact that nowadays coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the method of choice for patients with multiple occlusions and diffuse lesions, who can be refused in surgery due to “small”, not specified in the guidelines, CA (diameter less than 1.5 mm). The use of microsurgical technique makes it possible to reconstruct small-caliber vessels, however, no detailed comparative data has been published yet. Aim To analyze the efficacy of CABG using microsurgical techniques for multiple CA bypass with arteries less than 1.5 mm and compare the results with coronary surgery of larger vessels in the early postoperative period. Methods We studied the early results of CABG in two groups of patients. The study group was represented by 100 patients with multiple coronary artery lesions with d<1.5 mm, who underwent control MSCT-shuntography in the postoperative period. We formed a control group of 100 patients who underwent CABG with a target artery d>1.5 mm. In all cases cardiopulmonary bypass and microsurgical technique were used. Results All patients underwent complete revascularization of CA, the average number of distal anastomoses was 4,3±0,5 in the study group versus 3.6±0,3 in the comparison group, p<0,001. Intraoperatively in the study group significantly more often performed complex anastomoses to arteries <1,5mm (47 patients vs 18, p<0,001), onlay-flap anastomoses (23 vs 1, p<0,001), single and multiple endarterectomies (19 vs 1, p<0,001). The need for long-term inotropic support (15 cases vs 13, p=0,684), as well as prolonged artificial lung ventilation (2 vs 3, p=0,651), in hospital stage was similar in both groups. Patients from the study group more often underwent reexploration for bleeding in the early postoperative period, which was explained by a large number of complex reconstructions and prolonged on pump time, nevertheless, the difference did not reach statistical significance (4 vs 2, p=0,407). Perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) were registered in 3 (3%) and 1 (1%) cases in the study and control groups, respectively, p=0,621. All patients in the study group underwent MSCT-shuntography in the early postoperative period, according to which 8 patients (8%) had occlusion of the autovenous coronary grafts to the CA<1.5mm and 4 patients (4%) - occlusion of the bypasses to CA>1.5 mm. Conclusion CABG in patients with coronary arteries less than 1.5 mm in diameter requires complex reconstructive techniques significantly more often. Nevertheless, in the early postoperative period, it is possible to achieve comparable results in the patient groups with and without CA<1,5mm in the anastomotic sites. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.