Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting Research Articles

Validation and Performance Comparison of Two Scoring Systems Created Specifically to Predict the Risk of Deep Sternal Wound Infection after Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting

Background: The Gatti and the bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) scores were created to predict the risk of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting. Methods: Both scores were evaluated retrospectively in two consecutive series of patients undergoing isolated multi-vessel coronary surgical procedures-i.e., the Trieste (n = 1,122; BITA use, 52.1%; rate of DSWI, 5.7%) and the Besançon cohort (n = 721; BITA use, 100%; rate of DSWI, 2.5%). Baseline patient characteristics were compared between the two validation samples. For each score, the accuracy of prediction and predictive power were assessed by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Goodman-Kruskal gamma coefficient, respectively. Results: There were significant differences between the two series in terms of age, gender, New York Heart Association functional class, chronic lung disease, left ventricular function, surgical priority, and the surgical techniques used. In the Trieste series, accuracy of prediction of the Gatti score for DSWI was higher than that of the BIMA score (AUC, 0.729 vs. 0.620, p = 0.0033). The difference was not significant, however, in the Besançon series (AUC, 0.845 vs. 0.853, p = 0.880) and when only BITA patients of the Trieste series were considered for analysis (AUC, 0.738 vs. 0.665, p = 0.157). In both series, predictive power was at least moderate for the Gatti score and low for the BIMA score. Conclusions: The Gatti and the BIMA scores seem to be useful for pre-operative evaluation of the risk of DSWI after BITA grafting. Further validation studies should be performed.

Reining in Sternal Wound Infections: The Achilles' Heel of Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting.

Background: Although the survival advantage of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting (BITA) is well known in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), this technique has not been widely adopted. This is mainly because of the increased risk of deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) associated with its use. However, in recent years the overall risk of DSWI has decreased. This is mainly because of strategies that have been adopted to decrease the risk of these infections in patients undergoing CABG. Conclusion: In this review we identified DSWI preventive strategies and described them in detail so that their use by surgeons can be increased. This would minimize the risk of DSWI after BITA grafting and maximize the use of this highly effective surgical technique.

Bilateral versus single internal thoracic artery grafting in hemodialysis patients.

The use of the bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITAs) during myocardial revascularization reportedly provides a survival benefit over using a single internal thoracic artery (SITA). However, the advantages in chronic hemodialysis patients, who generally have multiple comorbidities, is unclear. Outcomes of chronic hemodialysis patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using a SITA with additional saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) (n = 33) or BITAs (n = 30) for left-side revascularization were retrospectively reviewed. With the exception of the rate of diabetes mellitus (SITA vs. BITA: 84.8% vs. 50.0%; p = 0.003), the two groups showed similar patient characteristics. Using the off-pump technique, revascularization was completed without manipulation of the ascending aorta in 45.7% of patients in the BITA group, whereas all patients in the SITA group required aortic manipulation (p < 0.001). Of note, the incidence of extensive aortic calcification (>50% of ascending aorta circumference) was not uncommon (14.3%). The in-hospital mortality (3.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.336) and complication rates (including deep wound infection, re-exploration and stroke) were similar in both groups. The 5-year estimated survival rates for freedom from overall death in the SITA and BITA groups were 42.4% and. 57.4%, respectively (p = 0.202). BITA grafting was able to achieve revascularization with minimal manipulation of the diseased ascending aorta without increasing the complication rate. The long-term survival benefit of BITA grafting, however, was unclear in dialysis patients, especially because such patients have a relatively short life expectancy.

Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting Concomitant With Other Cardiac Operations - Insights From a European Multicenter Retrospective Study on 1,123 Consecutive Patients.

The use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting concomitant with other cardiac operations is regarded as a risky strategy and the long-term advantages of BITA use remain unproven.Methods and Results:Pooled results from 3 series of patients (totaling 1,123 patients; mean age, 71.3 years; mean EuroSCORE II, 7.4%) undergoing combined coronary surgery using BITA were reviewed. Predictors of immediate and long-term adverse outcomes were identified by multivariable analyses. In-hospital and 30-day mortality was 7.9% and 6.3%, respectively. Diabetes on insulin (P=0.045), severe renal impairment (P<0.0001), extracardiac arteriopathy (P=0.0058), New York Heart Association class III-IV (P=0.017), recent myocardial infarction (P=0.0009), left ventricular dysfunction (P=0.0054), pulmonary hypertension (P=0.0016), active infective endocarditis (P=0.0011), and prolonged cross-clamp time (P=0.04) were predictors of in-hospital death. Multiple transfusions (27.3%), prolonged mechanical ventilation or reintubation (16.7%), acute kidney injury (11.5%), and sternal wound infections (10.4%) were relevant postoperative complications. Any neurological dysfunction occurred in 5.4% of cases. Median follow-up was 4.2 years. Female sex, chronic dialysis, extracardiac arteriopathy, and left ventricular dysfunction were predictors of both cardiac/cerebrovascular death and major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The 10-year adjusted survival free of cardiac/cerebrovascular death, cerebrovascular accident after discharge, and MACCE was 84.2%, 94.8% and 54.6%, respectively. BITA grafting concomitant with other cardiac operations may be performed with satisfactory results. Long-term outcomes mostly depend on sex, preoperative comorbidities, and baseline cardiac function.

A simple-to-use nomogram to predict long term survival of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting technique.

BackgroundSeveral risk scores have been created to predict long term mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Several studies demonstrated a reduction in long-term mortality following bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) compared to single internal thoracic artery. However, these prediction models usually referred to long term survival as survival of up to 5 years. Moreover, none of these models were built specifically for operation incorporating BITA grafting.MethodsA historical cohort study of all patients who underwent isolated BITA grafting between 1996 and 2011 at Tel-Aviv Sourasky medical center, a tertiary referral university affiliated medical center with a 24-bed cardio-thoracic surgery department. Study population (N = 2,935) was randomly divided into 2 groups: learning group which was used to build the prediction model and validation group. Cox regression was used to predict death using pre-procedural risk factors (demographic data, patient comorbidities, cardiac characteristics and patient's status). The accuracy (discrimination and calibration) of the prediction model was evaluated.Methods and findingsThe learning (1,468 patients) and validation (1,467 patients) groups had similar preoperative characteristics and similar survival. Older age, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive lung disease, congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, old MI, ejection fraction ≤30%, pre-operative use of intra-aortic balloon, and peripheral vascular disease, were significant predictors of mortality and were used to build the prediction model. The area under the ROC curves for 5, 10, and 15-year survival ranged between 0.742 and 0.762 for the learning group and between 0.766 and 0.770 for the validation group. The prediction model showed good calibration performance in both groups. A nomogram was built in order to introduce a simple-to-use tool for prediction of 5, 10, and 15-year survival.ConclusionsA simple-to-use validated model can be used for a prediction of 5, 10, and 15-year mortality after CABG using the BITA grafting technique.

Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting: propensity analysis of the left internal thoracic artery versus the right internal thoracic artery as a bypass graft to the left anterior descending artery.

To compare different configurations of the bilateral internal thoracic arteries for the left coronary system and examine early and late outcomes, including mid-term graft patency. We reviewed 877 patients who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting using in situ bilateral internal thoracic arteries [in situ right internal thoracic artery (RITA)-to-left anterior descending artery (LAD) grafting, n = 683; in situ left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-to-LAD grafting, n = 194]. We compared mid-term patency between the grafts. Propensity score matching was performed to investigate early and long-term outcomes. The 2-year patency rate for RITA-to-LAD and LITA-to-LAD grafts were similar. Multivariate analysis revealed that RITA-to-non-LAD anastomosis (P = 0.029), postoperative length of stay (P = 0.003) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.005) were associated with graft failure. After statistical adjustment, 176 propensity-matched pairs were available for comparison. RITA-to-LAD grafting enabled a more distal anastomosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the incidences of death, repeat revascularization and myocardial infarction were significantly higher in the LITA-to-LAD group among both the unmatched and matched samples (P = 0.045 and 0.029, respectively). The mid-term patency and outcomes of RITA-to-LAD grafting are good and reduces future cardiac event, in contrast to LITA-to-LAD grafting.

P4586Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting neutralizes detrimental effect of diabetes on survival in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background In ischemic cardiomyopathy patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the association of diabetic status with outcomes after surgery as well as survival benefit with bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafting remain largely unknown. Purpose We evaluated the associations of diabetic status with postoperative LV reverse remodeling, change in renal function, and late outcome following surgical revascularization, with focus on cases with severely impaired LV function. We also attempted to determine the survival benefit of bilateral ITA grafting over single ITA grafting according to diabetic status. Methods We classified 188 patients (mean age 67±9 years) with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≤40% who underwent isolated initial CABG into non-diabetic (n=64), non-insulin-dependent DM (NIDM, n=74), and insulin-dependent DM (IDM, n=50) groups. Results At baseline, there were no differences between the diabetic and non-diabetic patients in terms of age, LV function parameters and degree of coronary artery disease, while the diabetic patients were more likely to present chronic kidney disease and peripheral vascular disease. During follow-up (68±47 months), the 5-year survival rate was 84% and 65% in the non-diabetic and diabetic patients respectively (p=0.034). After adjusting for all covariates, both NIDM and IDM were independently associated with increased mortality (NIDM: adjusted hazard ratio 1.9, 95% confident interval 1.0–3.7, p=0.049; IDM: adjusted hazard ratio 2.4, 95% confident interval 1.2–4.8, p=0.016) and composite adverse events defined as mortality and/or heart failure readmission (NIDM: hazard ratio 1.7, 95% confident interval 1.0–2.8, p=0.038; IDM: hazard ratio 3.0, 95% confident interval 1.7–5.1, p&lt;0.001). Diabetic patients showed less improvements in LV dimensions and ejection fraction (interaction effect p&lt;0.05 for all), and steady decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate over time after surgery (group effect p&lt;0.05). Among non-diabetic patients, there was no difference in survival rate between single ITA and bilateral ITA grafting (5-year: 86% vs. 80%, p=0.95), whereas among diabetic patients, survival of those who received the latter was better (57% vs. 81%, p=0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that use of bilateral ITA was significantly associated with decreased risk of mortality (hazard ratio 0.3, 95% confident interval 0.1–0.8, p=0.024). Conclusion Non-insulin- and insulin-dependent diabetes was significantly associated with worse long-term clinical outcome after CABG for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Bilateral ITA grafting has potential to improve survival in diabetic patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

OPTIMAL CONFIGURATION FOR BYPASS OF THE LAD DURING BILATERAL INTERNAL THORACIC ARTERY GRAFTING

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is considered the most effective and durable approach to multi-vessel coronary revascularization primarily attributed to the excellent patency of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) to left anterior descending (LAD) artery graft. This success has led to the increased use of bilateral ITA (BITA). However, it is not clear whether the left ITA (LITA) or the right ITA (RITA) should be used for the LAD. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between LITA-LAD and RITA-LAD configurations in BITA grafting. The primary outcome was the need for percutaneous or surgical re-intervention of the LAD territory. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used with entropy weighting to balance groups. Competing risks were determined using the Fine and Gray model. The studied cohort included 1527 BITA patients with LITA-LAD and 523 with RITA-LAD. The median follow-up was greater in the LITA-LAD group (6.5 years IQR[2.7, 11.3] vs 5.5 years[2.4, 9.2], p < 0.001). Before entropy weighting, RITA-LAD patients were significantly older with more diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and left ventricular dysfunction and more urgent status (all with p < 0.05). Cases with RITA-LAD were also more frequently performed off-pump (p < 0.001). Predicted need for repeat revascularization of the LAD territory at 10 years was 2.8% in the LITA-LAD group and 1.8% in the RITA-LAD group. There was no difference in the need for LAD re-revascularization between groups (Subhazard HR [SHR] 0.686 95% CI [0.296, 1.589], p=0.38). There was no difference in long term all-cause mortality (HR 1.056 95%CI [0.677, 1.647], p=0.81). Adjusted survival at 10 years was 97.2% in the LITA-LAD group and 98.2% in the RITA-LAD group. There was no difference in the risk of cardiac death (SHR 1.062 95%CI [0.502, 2.250], p=0.87). The use of either the LITA or the RITA for LAD grafting during BITA revascularization has no effect on long-term cardiac and all-cause mortality or need for repeat revascularization of the LAD territory. Cardiac surgeons should be confident in using a RITA-LAD bypass in their operative strategy.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Right internal thoracic or radial artery as the second arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery.

To summarize the available evidence on the use of the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) and the radial artery as the second arterial graft in coronary artery bypass surgery. The current data support the equipoise of the two conduits in terms of clinical and angiographic outcomes. Both RITA and radial artery have better patency than saphenous vein grafts. The use of the RITA carries an increased risk of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) if the artery is harvested as pedicle. Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting is more technically demanding than radial artery use and there is a volume-outcome relationship in terms of mortality and incidence of DSWI. The radial artery is preferable over RITA in right-sided or distal circumflex artery targets with high-degree stenosis and in patients at higher risk for DSWI, whereas it is not recommended to graft vessels with moderate stenosis and in cases of insufficient collateralization from the ulnar artery or previous transradial procedures. The patency rate and clinical outcomes of radial artery and RITA are similar. The use of one or the other should be based on a careful evaluation of the patient's coronary anatomy and comorbidities, the conduit availability and the surgeon's and center's experience.

Left anterior descending artery revascularization with the right internal thoracic artery T-graft: the 'reverse composite' configuration.

The use of bilateral internal thoracic artery graft for myocardial revascularization has improved the long-term survival and decreased the rate of repeat interventions in patients. A key technical factor for complete arterial revascularization is sufficient length of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft. The purpose of this study was to compare early and long-term outcomes of 'standard composite' grafting and 'reverse composite' grafting. In the former, the left ITA (LITA) is connected to the left anterior descending artery, and the right ITA is connected end-to-side to the LITA for revascularization of the left circumflex artery. In 'reverse composite' grafting, the LITA is connected to the left circumflex artery, and the right ITA is connected end-to-side to the LITA, for revascularization of the left anterior descending artery. We compared the outcomes of 1365 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, using bilateral ITA as standard composite versus 'reverse composite' grafts, between January 1996 and December 2011. A propensity score matching analysis compared 132 pairs of patients who underwent bilateral ITA by the 2 modes. Twelve hundred and thirty patients underwent standard 'composite' grafts and 135 underwent 'reverse composite' grafts. Early mortality and early adverse effects did not differ significantly between the groups. After matching, the difference in late mortality between the groups was not statistically significant. This study suggests that revascularization of the left anterior descending with the right ITA, arising from an in situ LITA, is safe and provides early outcomes and long-term survival that are not significantly different from those of the standard composite grafting technique. However, there was evidence of better survival in the standard composite group.

Has Arterial Revascularization Trial [ART] burst the BITA bubble?

The 10-year outcome of the Arterial Revascularization Trial (ART) has recently been published. The study is the largest randomized study comparing bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) with single internal thoracic artery (SITA) as a grafting strategy for coronary artery bypass. In this review, a critical appraisal of the study has been performed where the result of the trial has been discussed along with the risk of sternal wound infections, the presence of a learning curve, and the influence of volume on outcomes. The influence of BITA grafting on other aspects like influence on hospital stay and quality of life outcomes has also been discussed.

Are two internal thoracic grafts better than one? An analysis of 5301 cases.

Although bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting is associated with improved survival, many surgeons are reluctant to use this technique due to its greater complexity and the potentially increased risk of sternal infection. This observational study examined if BITA grafting provides improved outcomes compared with single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafting in patients with multivessel coronary disease. Patients in our institution who underwent BITA grafting during 1996-2011 were compared to those who underwent SITA grafting during the same period. To adjust for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, patients were matched by propensity score. The Cox model was used to identify predictors of decreased survival and the Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed, both for the entire cohort and for the matched cohort. SITA patients were older than BITA patients, included more females, and were more likely to have chronic obstructive lung disease, an ejection fraction <30%, diabetes, renal insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease and emergency and repeat operations. Three-vessel and left main diseases were more common among BITA patients, and operative mortality was reduced (2.1% vs 3.6% for SITA, P = 0.002). Sternal infection and stroke rates were similar for the groups. Ten-year Kaplan-Meier survival of BITA patients was better (71.2% vs 56.8%, respectively, P < 0.001). BITA grafting was found to be a predictor of better survival in the analysis of the matched cohort (P < 0.001). Our results support the routine use of BITA grafting in patients who undergo myocardial revascularization.

Influence of Bilateral Skeletonized Harvesting on Occurrence of Deep Sternal Wound Infection in 1,000 Consecutive Patients Undergoing Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting: Erratum.

Influence of Bilateral Skeletonized Harvesting on Occurrence of Deep Sternal Wound Infection in 1,000 Consecutive Patients Undergoing Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting: Erratum.

Bilateral internal thoracic artery versus radial artery multi-arterial bypass grafting: a report from the STS database†.

Multi-arterial bypass grafting with bilateral internal thoracic (BITA-MABG) or radial (RA-MABG) arteries improves long-term survival, but its increased complexity raises perioperative safety concerns. We compared perioperative outcomes of RA-MABG and BITA-MABG using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (STS-ACSD). We analysed the 2004-2015 BITA-MABG and RA-MABG experience in STS-ACSD. Primary end points were operative mortality (OM) and deep sternal wound infections (DSWI). Risk-adjusted odds ratios [AOR (95% confidence interval)] were derived via multivariable logistic regression. Sensitivity analyses were done in patient sub-cohorts and based on institutional BITA-utilization rates (<5%, 5-10%, 10-20%, 20-40% and >40%). Eighty-five thousand nine hundred five RA-MABG (82.5% men; 61 years) and 61336 BITA-MABG (85.1% men; 59 years) patients were analysed; 41.6% of BITA-MABG and 27.3% of RA-MABG cases came from institutions with low MABG utilization rates (<10%). Unadjusted OM was equivalent for both techniques (BITA-MABG versus RA-MABG: 1.3% vs 1.2%, P = 0.79), while DSWI was lower for RA-MABG (1.0% vs 0.6%, P < 0.001). RA-MABG was associated with lower adjusted OM [AOR = 0.80 (0.69-0.96)] and DSWI [AOR = 0.39 (0.32-0.46)]. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness of these findings. Equivalent outcomes were observed at high BITA-use institutions where BITA cases comprised >20% of all cases for OM and ≥40% for DSWI. This analysis of the STS-ACSD showed that RA-MABG is a generally safer form of multi-arterial coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. However, this advantage is mitigated at institutions with substantial BITA experience.

Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting in Women: A Word of Caution.

Despite the superior hemodynamic performance of internal thoracic arteries, total arterial revascularization with exclusive bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) is less frequently used especially in specific subsets of patients, including females. We report our experience with total arterial revascularization with exclusive BITA regardless of sex and analyze the impact of female sex on the early and midterm outcomes. Total arterial revascularization with exclusive BITA was performed with equal frequency in females (79/99, 80%) and males (392/477, 82%; P = .68) undergoing isolated CABG for 3-vessel disease. Pre, intra and postoperative data were compared between these two groups. Complete revascularization was achieved in 77% of females and 72% of males (P = .08). Early mortality did not differ between the groups (6.3% versus 4.6%, P = .7). The incidence of re-sternotomy for bleeding, postoperative stroke, myocardial infarction, new onset atrial fibrillation, and hemofiltration for renal failure did not differ between the two groups. However, there were significantly more wound revision for combined superficial and deep sternal wound infection in females (26.5% versus 5.1%, P = .0001). Nevertheless, midterm survival, freedom from repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events at five years were very good and compared favorably between females and males. Our findings suggest that total arterial myocardial revascularization with exclusive internal thoracic arteries in females carries the same midterm benefits as in males. Early outcomes are comparable except for a higher incidence of wound revision for combined superficial and deep sternal wound infections in females compared to males. Benefits of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in females should be weighed against increased risk of early wound revision.

Does bilateral versus single thoracic artery grafting provide survival benefit in female patients?

Bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting is associated with improved survival, but this technique is reluctantly used in women due to an increased risk of sternal wound infection. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term survival of women who underwent BITA grafting and single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafting. We performed a retrospective analysis of 556 consecutive female BITA patients and 685 female SITA patients. SITA patients were older and more likely to have comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, chronic renal failure, peripheral vascular disease and cerebral vascular disease). Operative mortality showed a trend towards a benefit for BITA (2.9% vs 5.0% for SITA, P = 0.06). The sternal wound infection rates were similar (3.4% vs 2.9%, P = 0.6); however, the occurrence of stroke was significantly lower in the SITA group (3.4% vs 1.2%, P = 0.007). The median survival of the BITA group was significantly better {13.8 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 12.8-14.9] vs 10.3 years [95% CI 9.6-11.1], P = 0.001}. After propensity score matching (491 pairs), the assignment to BITA was not associated with increased early mortality or complication rates, and the choice of BITA grafting was associated with better survival [14.5 years (95% CI 13.3-15.6) vs 11.8 years (95% CI 10.7-12.9)]. Only the choice of conduits was associated with increased late mortality (multivariable analysis, hazard ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.024-1.591; P = 0.03). The low early mortality and complication rate, and the long-term survival benefit of BITA compared to SITA grafting, support the use of BITA grafting in women.

Is sex a risk factor for death in patients with bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts?

BackgroundMortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been reported to be higher in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in women has a long-term survival benefit over single internal thoracic artery grafting, possibly equivalent to the male population. MethodsA retrospective review was undertaken of our prospectively collected database. We included 4406 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG, who received their operation between January 2000 and April 2017. From the entire series, 2979 patients (67.6%) received exclusively BITA grafts; 299 (10.1%) were female. The primary end point was follow-up mortality, independently from cause. In-hospital mortality and during follow-up were analyzed. Substratification according to age was performed to answer whether it has an effect. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analyses was performed to investigate the significant predictors of late mortality. ResultsThe median follow-up was 5.1 ± 3.9 years. Female BITA patients were older (P < .001), had nonelective surgery (P < .001), more on-pump CABG (P = .015), fewer number of grafts (P < .001) versus male BITA patients. BITA grafting in women had a long-term survival equivalent to that of men (P = .784).In a Cox proportional hazard model, female sex was not an independent risk factor for late death (B, −0.303; hazard ratio, 0.739; 95% confidence interval, 0.470-1.16; P = .189). The stratification analysis showed that the beneficial effect of BITA remained similar among sexes and was not modified by age even after adjusting for confounders. In a risk-adjusted sample, patients older than 65 years with BITA grafting showed superior long-term survival than those with single internal thoracic artery grafting (P = .019). ConclusionsAlthough there are some differences between sexes, BITA grafting in women was associated with similar 10-year survival compared with men, and female sex was not an independent risk factor for late death. Among women, the BITA group had better survival, especially those older than 65 years.

Left-Sided Complete Revascularization With Bilateral Internal Thoracic Arteries in Patients With Diabetes

Reports are few on the long-term patency of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafts in patients with diabetes. We evaluated the relationship between the long-term patency of BITAs and the clinical outcomes in diabetes. We retrospectively identified 569 patients (321 with diabetes, 248 without diabetes) who underwent isolated BITA grafting for left-sided complete revascularization at our institution from 2000 to 2015. The primary end point was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events comprising death, re-revascularization, and myocardial infarction. The secondary end point was the patency of the BITAs. No differences were found in the major adverse cardiovascular event rate (10-year: diabetic group, 33.7%; nondiabetic group, 22.3%; p= 0.15) or overall mortality rate (24.0% versus 12.2%, p= 0.066) between the patients with and without diabetes. The incidence of cardiac death (3.3% versus 1.8%, p= 0.80) or re-revascularization and myocardial infarction (11.4% versus 11.8%, p= 0.67) was similar between the groups. The patency of free internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts to the left circumflex artery was associated with greater patency in patients with diabetes than in patients without diabetes (4 years: 99.3% versus 95.5%, p= 0.049); the patency of other ITA grafts did not differ between the groups. All-cause death, re-revascularization, and myocardial infarction showed no differences between patients with and without diabetes who underwent left-sided revascularization with the BITAs. Although diabetes did not affect the patency of the ITA, free ITA grafts to the left circumflex artery showed good long-term patency in patients with diabetes.

Are two internal thoracic grafts better than one in patients with peripheral vascular disease?

The use of two bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting (BITA) was shown to lead to survival benefit. However, operators are reluctant to use BITA with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) because of concerns of increased rates of sternal wound infection and lack of studies supporting survival benefit compared with single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafting. The aim of this study is to compare outcome BITA grafting versus of SITA and vein grafts in PVD patients. Six hundred and twenty-one PVD patients who underwent BITA between 1996 and 2011 were compared with 372 patients who underwent SITA. SITA patients were older and more likely more likely to have comorbidities (female, insulin-dependent diabetes, chronic obstructive lung disease, congestive heart failure, previous coronary artery bypass grafting, renal insufficiency, cerebrovascular disease, and emergency operation). Operative mortality (5.1 vs. 4.5%, in the SITA and BITA, respectively, P=0.758), rate of sternal wound infection (5.1 vs. 3.9%, P=0.421), and strokes (4.8 vs. 7.4%, P=0.141) were not significantly different between groups. BITA patients did not have significantly better 10-year survival (52.6 vs. 45.9%, P=0.087) and after propensity score matching (302 well-matched pairs), BITA was not associated with improved survival (hazard ratio: 0.902; 95% confidence interval: 0.742-1.283; P=0.784) (Cox model). The routine use of BITA versus SITA in PVD patients does not improve long-term survival. Selective use of BITA in lower risk patients might unmask the benefits of BITA.

Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Graft in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Graft in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting