Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Research Articles

Acute clinical and financial outcomes of on- versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in octogenarians

BackgroundCoronary artery bypass surgery in octogenarians is associated with increased postoperative morbidity. Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery eliminates potential complications of cardiopulmonary bypass, but its use remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and financial impact of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery compared to conventional coronary artery bypass surgery among this high-risk population. MethodsPatients ≥80 years undergoing first-time, isolated, elective coronary artery bypass surgery were identified using the 2010–2019 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Patients were grouped into off-pump or conventional coronary artery bypass surgery cohorts. Multivariable models were developed to assess the independent associations between off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery and key outcomes. ResultsOf ∼56,158 patients, 13,940 (24.8%) underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. On average, the off-pump cohort was more likely to undergo single-vessel bypass (37.3 vs 19.7%, P < .001). After adjustment, undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery was associated with similar odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.73–1.12) relative to conventional bypass. Additionally, the off-pump and conventional coronary artery bypass surgery groups were comparable in odds of postoperative stroke (adjusted odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.78–1.35), cardiac arrest (adjusted odds ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.71–1.37), ventricular fibrillation (adjusted odds ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.60–1.31), tamponade (adjusted odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 0.74–1.97), and cardiogenic shock (adjusted odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.75–1.17). However, the off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery cohort was linked with an increased likelihood of ventricular tachycardia (adjusted odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.49) and myocardial infarction (adjusted odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.16–1.55). Furthermore, those undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery demonstrated reduced odds of non-home discharge (adjusted odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.83–0.99) and a decrement in hospitalization expenditures ($-1,290, 95% confidence interval –$2,370 to $200). ConclusionOff-pump coronary artery bypass surgery was linked with increased odds of ventricular tachycardia and myocardial infarction, but no difference in mortality. Our findings point to the safety of conventional coronary artery bypass surgery in octogenarians. Yet, future work is needed to consider long-term outcomes in this complex surgical cohort.

A Comparison between Postoperative Troponin Elevation in An Off-pump Versus Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Graft in Predicting The Short-term Outcome

Background: Although, advancements in techniques and perioperative management in coronary artery bypass surgery the elevation of postoperative troponin still occurs commonly. In this regard, we aimed to assess the degree of myocardial injury by measuring and comparing the levels of cardiac troponin I in the postoperative period of conventional versus off-pump coronary artery bypass graft and identify the most associated factors. Patients and methods: This prospective cohort study included the patients who underwent conventional coronary artery bypass surgery (46 patients) and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (34 patients), at Azadi heart Center in Duhok province during the period between 25th November 2021 and 25th May 2022. Results: The total amount of cardiac troponin release was significantly higher in the conventional than in the off-pump group. At one hour, the conventional means was 7.13 ng/ml while the off-pump was 1.56 ng/ml, p &lt; 0.0001and at 24 hours, the convention mean was 5.51 ng/ml while the off-pump was 1.24 ng/ml, p &lt; 0.001. The most associated factors in the conventional compared to the off-pump were advanced age, male gender, hypertension, renal impairment, Previous myocardial infarction, and timing of surgery. the main independent factors associated with cardiac troponin I elevation within 24 hours following conventional coronary artery bypass surgery were overweight, chronic renal failure, Smoking, and urgent procedure status. Conclusion: This study showed that the patients who underwent the conventional group had significantly higher levels of troponin I at 1 hour and 24 hrs, postoperatively. The higher postoperative troponin I among patients who underwent the conventional group was associated with being overweight, smoking, having chronic renal failure, and using urgent procedure status

Clinical application of individualized total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting in coronary artery surgery.

BACKGROUNDTotal arterial revascularization is associated with increased patency and long-term efficacy and decreased perioperative morbidity and mortality and incidence of cardiac-related events and sternal wound infection compared with conventional coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), in which the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is typically grafted to the left anterior descending artery with additional saphenous vein grafts often used. This study determined whether these favorable clinical results could be realized at the authors’ institute.AIMTo summarize the early efficacy and clinical experience of individualized total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. METHODSCABG was performed on 35 patients with non-single-vessel coronary artery disease by adopting total arterial grafts at Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between April 2016 and December 2019. LIMA was used in 35 patients, radial artery (RA) was used in 35 patients, and right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) was used in 9 patients. Perioperative complications were observed, short-term graft patency rate was followed-up, and quality of life was assessed. RESULTSAll patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass and the surgeries were successful. All of them were discharged without any complications or deaths. During the follow-up, it was found that patients’ angina symptoms were relieved and New York Heart Association classification for cardiac function was class I to class II. A total of 90 vessels were grafted with no occlusion for internal mammary artery, three occlusions for RA, and one occlusion for RGEA. CONCLUSIONThe individualized total arterial strategy based on the vessels targeting individual anatomic characteristics can achieve complete revascularization with satisfactory short-term grafting patency rate.

Early Outcome of Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery- A hospital based study

Background: coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is expensive, uses disposable appliances and patients require more perioperative intensive care, long stay in hospital and often have a lengthy recovery time. These complications, together with the growing trend towards less invasive techniques in other areas of surgery, have encouraged cardiac surgeons to see if minimally invasive cardiac surgery can become a reality with improved outcomes and costs.&#x0D; Methods: This is a prospective nonrandomized comparative clinical study done at the Department of Cardiac Surgery in National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) Sher-E- Bangla Nagar, Dhaka from July 2006 to June 2008 among routine CABG patients. Purposive sampling was done with 26 patients in group A selected for MIDCAB and 24 patients in Group B selected for conventional CABG surgery. Patients were followed up for three months. Postoperative outcomes were assessed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MIDCAB in relation to conventional CABG.&#x0D; Results: Mean age were 54.19 vs 53.87 in group A and Group B. 92.3% vs 87.5% were male respectively. Mean duration of operation, per operative blood loss transfusion and arrythmia were lower in MIDCAB group (p&lt;0.05) number of grafts were also statistically significant (p&lt; 0.001). Regarding post-operative outcome ventilation time in hours ICU stay post-operative hospital stay in days, postoperative MI and stroke rate were lower in favor of group A MIDCAB patients (p&lt;0.001). Three months postoperatively six-meter walking distance is also statistically significant in favor of Group A MIDCAB (p&lt;0.01) patients. However, pain score in early post-operative period was higher in group A significantly but it decreased significantly in late post-operative period which is also highly statistically different (p&lt;0.001). However, mortality and quality of life at three months were similar in both groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: No difference in mortality rates detected between MIDCAB and CCABG group. But there was evidence that MIDCAB is associated with less perioperative and early postoperative morbidity and improved quality of life. The MIDCAB surgery is an effective procedure of complete revascularization in ischemic heart diseases like CCABG. The procedure is associated with shorter operating time, shorter ICU stay time, shorter hospital stays and better quality of life than for CCABG.&#x0D; Cardiovasc. j. 2021; 13(2): 135-143

Effect of Low Triiodothyronine (T3) Hormone Levels on Atrial Fibrillation Development After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is the most common type of arrhythmia and it causes serious morbidity. Low levels of triiodothyronine (T3) hormone are thought to be a strong determinative factor on poor prognosis of cardiac patients. This study was planned to investigate the effect of low levels of T3 on the development of AF after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) and conventional CABG surgery. Methods: The study was prospectively planned on 60 patients undergoing CABG surgery. Thirty of them were randomly selected among the patients undergoing OPCAB, and the other 30 were randomly selected among the patients undergoing conventional CABG surgery. Thyroid function profiles of all patients were evaluated before the operation and on the first day of postoperative period. Results: The average age of the patients was 58.7± 8. After the operation, 3 patients from each group, 6 patients in total, developed AF. Postoperatively measured TT3 levels of the patients who developed AF after the operation (0.39±0.09) were found to be significantly lower than the preoperatively measured TT3 levels (0.97± 0.06) (p=0.042). Moreover, postoperatively measured fT3 levels of the patients who developed AF after operation (1.58± 0.30) were found to be significantly lower than the preoperatively measured fT3 levels (2.95±0.37) ( p=0.001). However, by univariate logistic regression analysis, it was seen that the variables that were thought to be risk factors for AF were not significantly effective. Also, when the effects of the variables were examined together by multivariate regression analysis, no significant result was found.Conclusion: In our study, it was seen that low levels of thyroid hormone in patients undergoing OPCAB and conventional CABG surgery had no effect on AF development.

Effects of Preoperative Mean Platelet Volume on Early Outcomes of Patients After Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

An elevated mean platelet volume is associated with increased platelet activation and thus may predict thrombotic events including major cardiac adverse events after CABG surgery. The association of mean platelet volume with in-hospital outcome of patients after coronary artery bypasses grafting surgery was investigated in this study. Preoperative mean platelet volume was obtained prospectively in 8^ consecutive patients undergoing conventional coronary artery bypass surgery. Postoperative mortality and major adverse events were recorded in the early postoperative Period. Combined adverse events including post operative Myocardial Infarction (Ml), arrhythmia, bleeding and death occurred in 27 patients (33.3%) during the early follow-up. The preoperative mean platelet volume levels were found to be associated with postoperative adverse events (p&lt;0.05). In multivariate logistic regression models, the preoperative mean platelet voluue levels was found strong independent predictor of combined adverse events after surgery (OR 1.968, p=0.008).University Heart Journal Vol. 14, No. 1, Jan 2018; 24-27

A second arterial conduit to the circumflex circulation significantly improves survival after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Conventional coronary artery bypass surgery involves the use of a single left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery and saphenous vein grafts reserved for other sites. This retrospective propensity-matched study investigated the impact of a second arterial conduit to the left-sided circulation on early and long-term survival after coronary artery bypass surgery. Data were retrospectively collected from 2004 to 2014 for all revascularizations with at least 1 arterial and/or 1 venous graft to the circumflex circulation, in addition to an internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery. Propensity-matched groups were created based on baseline characteristics. Hazard functions were estimated using Cox multivariable regression, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared between the matched cohorts. A total of 1226 patients with a venous conduit to the left-sided circulation were successfully matched to an equal number of patients with an arterial conduit. Regression analysis identified a second arterial conduit, logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (EuroSCORE), pulmonary disease, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class and previous myocardial infarction as significant predictors of survival. A second arterial graft to the left circumflex circulation was a predictor of improved survival (hazard ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.51-0.80; P < 0.001). There were significant early and late survival benefits (arterial vs venous: 98.2% vs 96.3%, P = 0.003 at 1 year; 82.4% vs 62.2%, P < 0.001 at 10 years) from a second arterial conduit to the circumflex circulation. There are significant early and late incremental survival benefits from a second arterial conduit to the circumflex circulation.

Diffuse hepatic hemorrhage in a patient undergoing emergency conventional coronary artery bypass surgery following cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Diffuse hepatic hemorrhage in a patient undergoing emergency conventional coronary artery bypass surgery following cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Single-Centre Experience of Off-Pump Multi-Vessel Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using Proximal Suture Device

To investigate the results of off-pump coronary artery grafting (OPCAB) with the proximal suture device (PSD) regarding postoperative stroke and graft patency. The PSD was used in 376 patients (32.0%), aorta-no-touch OPCAB was performed in 523 patients (45.2%), on-pump beating coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) (on-beat group) in 125 patients (10.6%) including 51 conversions (conversion rate: 5.4%), and CABG with aortic clamp use (clamp group) in 152 patients. In the PSD group, Enclose II was used in 267 patients (71.0%). The hospital mortality rate was 1.95%. There was no early stroke in the OPCAB group, whereas the early-stroke rate was 0.8% in the on-beat group and 2.6% in the clamp group. The incidences of stroke at one month were: PSD group, 1.6%; no-touch group, 1.1%; on-beat group, 1.6%; and clamp group, 4.6% (p=0.014). The rates of complete revascularisation were higher in the PSD and clamp groups (94.7 and 94.0%, respectively) compared with the no-touch and on-beat groups (81.5 and 84.9%, respectively; p<0.001). The vein graft patency rates were comparable between the PSD and clamp groups. In multiple logistic regression analysis, OPCAB using the PSD did not increase the risk of stroke compared with the no-touch group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.40; p=0.594) or on-beat group (AOR: 0.99; p=0.206), but reduced the risk of stroke compared with the clamp group (AOR: 0.19; p=0.005). Off-pump coronary artery grafting using the PSD was a safe and effective procedure. It led to lower incidences of postoperative stroke and excellent rates of graft patency and complete revascularisation compared with conventional CABG.

Effects of Preoperative Mean Platelet Volume on Early Outcomes of Patients after Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Introduction: The Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet size with increased platelet activation. An elevated MPV is associated with major cardiac adverse events after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery. Effect of preoperative MPV on outcome of in-hospital patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery was investigated in this study.&#x0D; Objective: To investigate the association of preoperative MPV with in-hospital outcome of patients after CABG surgery.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: An observational prospective study was carried out in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka during the period from July 2012 to June 2014. Preoperative mean platelet volume was obtained prospectively in 81 consecutive patients undergoing conventional coronary artery bypass surgery. The patients were divided into two groups according to normal and elevated MPV at 10.60 femtolitre (fL) cut off level. Postoperative mortality and major adverse events were recorded in the early postoperative period.&#x0D; Results: Combined adverse events including post operative Myocardial Infarction (MI), arrhythmia, bleeding and death occurred in 27 patients (33.3%) during the early follow-up. The preoperative mean platelet volume levels were found to be associated with postoperative adverse events (p&lt;0.05). In multivariate logistic regression models, the preoperative mean platelet volume levels was found strong independent predictor of combined adverse events after surgery (OR 1.968, p=0.008).&#x0D; Conclusion: Mean platelet volume is simple, readily available and cost effective tool and useful in predicting the postoperative adverse events in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.&#x0D; Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.12(1) 2016: 53-56

Abstract 10460: Completeness of Revascularization and its Impact on the Outcomes of a Staged Approach of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Followed by Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery for Patients With Concomitant Coronary Artery and Valvular Heart Disease

Introduction: A staged approach of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) followed by minimally invasive valve surgery (MIVS) is an alternative to the conventional combined coronary artery bypass and valve surgery for patients with concomitant coronary artery and valve disease. Hypothesis: Incomplete revascularization may negatively affect clinical outcomes amongst patients with severe coronary artery and valve disease undergoing a staged approach of PCI followed by MIVS. Methods: A total of 138 patients, who underwent a staged approach between January 2009 and June 2013, were retrospectively evaluated. Coronary angiograms were reviewed by 2 cardiologists blinded to outcomes and were then categorized into 2 groups: complete or incomplete revascularization, which was defined as ≥1 major epicardial coronary arteries of at least 2.0 mm diameter with ≥70% untreated obstruction after the index percutaneous coronary intervention and before minimally invasive valve surgery. Results: Complete and incomplete revascularization was achieved in 105 (76%) and 33 (24%) patients, respectively (Table). The patients with incomplete revascularization had a lower ejection fraction, a higher STS score, and more prior myocardial infarctions and multi-vessel coronary artery disease. There were no differences in the post-operative complications, 30-day mortality, or 3-year survival (84 vs. 83%, p=0.68). After a median follow up of 29 months, incompletely revascularized patients had a higher incidence of acute coronary syndrome (2.9 vs. 12.9%, p=0.05). Conclusions: In patients undergoing a staged approach of percutaneous coronary intervention followed by minimally invasive valve surgery, incomplete revascularization did not significantly impact the short or mid-term survival, but was associated with an increased incidence of acute coronary syndrome at follow up.

How revascularization on the beating heart with cardiopulmonary bypass compares to off-pump? A meta-analysis of observational studies.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery has been a controversial area of debate and the outcome profile of the technique has been thoroughly investigated. Scepticism regarding the reported outcomes and the conduct of the randomized trials comparing this technique with conventional on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery has been widely voiced, and the technique of off-pump surgery remains as an infrequently adopted approach to myocardial revascularization worldwide. Criticisms of the technique are related to lower rates of complete revascularization and its unknown long-term consequences, the significant detrimental effects on mortality and major adverse events when emergency conversion is required, and the significant lack of long-term survival and morbidity data. The hybrid technique of myocardial revascularization on the beating heart with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass may theoretically provide the beneficial effects of off-pump surgery in terms of myocardial protection and organ protection, while providing the safety and stability of on-pump surgery to allow complete revascularization. Large randomized comparison to support evidence-based choices is currently lacking. In this article, we have meta-analysed the outcomes of on-pump beating heart surgery in comparison with off-pump surgery focusing on major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events (MACCE) including mortality, stroke and myocardial infarction and the degree of revascularization and number of bypass grafts performed. It was demonstrated that the beating heart on-pump technique allows a significantly higher number of bypass grafts to be performed, resulting in significantly higher degree of revascularization. We have also demonstrated a slightly higher rate of 30-day mortality and MACCE with the technique although not at a statistically significant level. These results should be considered alongside the population risk profile, where a significantly higher risk cohort had undergone the beating heart on-pump technique. Long-term survival and morbidity figures are required to assess the impact of these findings in the coronary surgery patient population.

ISMICS Consensus Conference and Statements of Randomized Controlled Trials of Off-Pump versus Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

ISMICS Consensus Conference and Statements of Randomized Controlled Trials of Off-Pump versus Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Obstructive carotid and/or intracranial artery disease rarely affects the incidence of haemodynamic ischaemic stroke during cardiac surgery: a study on brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography with acetazolamide.

Ischaemic stroke is a major complication of cardiac surgery. The optimal strategies for operating on patients with obstructive carotid and/or intracranial artery disease (CIAD) are controversial. We aimed to clarify whether single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with acetazolamide, to quantify the cerebral perfusion reserve, could predict the risk of haemodynamic ischaemic stroke during cardiac surgery. The incidence of stroke related to obstructive CIAD and the corresponding autoregulatory reserve were prospectively assessed in 514 consecutive patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 484) and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 30) between 2009 and 2013. Preoperative cerebral blood flow and its reactivity to acetazolamide were quantitatively determined in patients (n = 88) with obstructive CIAD, diagnosed by carotid ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance angiography. An impaired cerebral perfusion reserve was identified in 1 (1.1%) of the 88 patients. This patient underwent prophylactic superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery anastomosis 1 month before coronary artery bypass surgery. Subsequently, the patient underwent conventional coronary artery bypass surgery, without experiencing perioperative stroke. Seven (1.4%) patients died in-hospital mortality and 5 (1.0%) experienced perioperative stroke. However, no patients experienced perioperative haemodynamic ischaemic stroke. It is unusual for CIAD to affect the incidence of haemodynamic ischaemic stroke during cardiac surgery. Brain perfusion SPECT with acetazolamide is effective for narrowing down patients at high risk of ischaemic stroke during cardiac surgery. Meanwhile, the application of brain perfusion single-photon emission tomography should be confined only to patients with obstructive CIAD because it is an expensive examination tool.

A Clinical and Angiographic Study of the XIENCE V Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System in the Treatment of Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: The EXECUTIVE Trial (EXecutive RCT: Evaluating XIENCE V in a Multi Vessel Disease)

This study sought to investigate the efficacy and performance of the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting stent (EES) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) in the treatment of de novo coronary lesions in patients with 2- to 3-vessel multivessel coronary artery disease (MV-CAD). Drug-eluting stents (DES) have emerged as an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with MV-CAD although first-generation DES yielded inferior efficacy and safety compared with surgery. Prospective, randomized (1:1), multicenter feasibility trial was designed to assess angiographic efficacy of EES compared with the TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) in 200 patients, and a prospective, open-label, single-arm, controlled registry was designed to analyze the clinical outcome of EES at 1-year follow-up in 400 MV-CAD patients. For the randomized trial, the primary endpoint was in-stent late loss at 9 months. For the registry, the primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months. The primary endpoint per single lesion was significantly lower in the EES group compared with the PES group (-0.03 ± 0.49 mm vs. 0.23 ± 0.51 mm, p = 0.001). Similar results were observed when analyzing all lesions (0.05 ± 0.51 mm vs. 0.24 ± 0.50 mm, p < 0.001). Clinical outcome at 1 year yielded a composite of major adverse cardiac events of 9.2% in the single-arm registry, and 11.1% and 16.5% in the EES and PES randomized groups, respectively (p = 0.30). The EXECUTIVE trial was a randomized pilot trial dedicated to the comparison of the efficacy of 2 different DES among patients with 2- to 3-vessel MV-CAD. The study shows lower in-stent late loss at 9 months with the EES XIENCE V compared with the PES TAXUS Libertè, and a low major adverse cardiac event rate at 1 year in patients with 2-to 3-vessel MV-CAD. (EXECUTIVE [EXecutive RCT: Evaluating XIENCE V in a Multi Vessel Disease]; NCT00531011).

Comparison of conventional coronary artery bypass surgery versus robotically enhanced minimally invasive hybrid revascularization in patients with two vessel disease

Comparison of conventional coronary artery bypass surgery versus robotically enhanced minimally invasive hybrid revascularization in patients with two vessel disease

On-pump Versus off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: What is the Status After ROOBY, DOORS, Coronary and GOPCABE?

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery has been purported to be safer than conventional coronary artery bypass surgery performed using cardiopulmonary bypass. This theory was supported by a number of early series, but failed to be confirmed by a number of small, randomized, controlled trials. Conversely, it has been suggested that revascularization after off-pump surgery is associated with fewer grafts and lower graft patency, potentially leading to a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and need for repeated coronary interventions. Since 2009, four major randomized controlled trials have been published, increasing the level of evidence significantly.

Off-Pump Bypass Surgery and Postoperative Stroke: California Coronary Bypass Outcomes Reporting Program

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is associated with a significant risk of stroke. Some studies suggest that off-pump CABG (OPCAB) may reduce postoperative stroke rate. We performed this study to evaluate the relationship between postoperative stroke and OPCAB compared with conventional on-pump CABG (CCB) in a recent, large cohort of patients. Data from the California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program were analyzed in patients who had OPCAB or CCB for isolated CABGs in 2006 to 2007. Two multivariable logistic regression models were developed for the analysis, and the "recycled predictions" method was used to compute risk-adjusted postoperative stroke rates in the two surgical groups. Of 30,426 isolated CABGs, 7,720 (23.7%) were OPCAB. The model developed in the CCB subset indicated that CCB had a lower predicted stroke risk than OPCAB, yet the observed rate of stroke was higher in the CCB subset. The model using both CCB and OPCAB patients revealed that OPCAB was associated with a reduction in postoperative stroke (adjusted odds ratio: 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59 to 0.98). For patients with cardiogenic shock, OPCAB was also associated with a lower risk-adjusted postoperative stroke rate compared with CCB (OPCAB: 3.06%, 95% CI 2.83% to 3.28%; CCB: 4.05%, 95% CI 3.76% to 4.33%, p < 0.001). However, the 793 (11%) OPCAB patients who were converted to CCB intraoperatively had an increased postoperative stroke rate (with conversion: 2.02%, 95% CI 1.04% to 3.00% versus without conversion: 0.96%, 95% CI 0.73% to 1.20%, p < 0.001). The OPCAB was associated with a significantly lower postoperative stroke rate compared with CCB even for older and higher risk patients. However, intraoperative OPCAB to CCB conversion was associated with the highest postoperative stroke rate.

Have improvements in myocardial protection influenced a surgeon's choice of coronary artery bypass surgery?

The aim of this study is to determine whether improvements in myocardial protection strategy have influenced the surgeon's choice of coronary artery bypass surgery. Between February 2002 and April 2009, a total of 662 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery under the provision of a single consultant surgeon. Operative mortality was defined as in-hospital death and comparison was made based on both the observed and expected mortalities as derived from the logistic EuroSCORE. Of the 662 patients who underwent cardiac surgery, 155 had off-pump whilst 507 had conventional coronary artery bypass surgery. The observed mortalities improved over the years in line with the improvements in myocardial protection strategy despite the increasing risk as predicted by the logistic EuroSCORE, with a reduction in the ratio of observed to expected mortalities of 1.2 in the off-pump group to 0.4 in the conventional group who had better myocardial protection. This has lead to a change in practice being predominantly off-pump at the beginning to that of conventional surgery in the later part of the study. As the case mix of patients gets worse with the increasing severity of multi-vessel disease and poor ventricular function, myocardial protection becomes crucial to the surgeon's preoperative assessment.

A clinical and angiographic study of the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting coronary stent system in the treatment of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Study design and rationale of the EXECUTIVE trial

Myocardial revascularization with drug-eluting stents (DESs) is emerging as an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (MV-CAD). First-generation DESs have yielded equivalent safety results at mid-term compared with surgery, but inferior efficacy in preventing the recurrence of ischemic symptoms. The outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention with a second-generation everolimus DES as compared with a paclitaxel DES in patients with MV-CAD has not been established. The aim of the study is the assessment of the efficacy and performance of the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting stent in the treatment of de-novo coronary artery lesions in patients with MV-CAD. The study is composed of two parts: a prospective, double arm, randomized multicenter trial to assess the angiographic efficacy of the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting coronary stent system (EECSS) compared with the Taxus Liberté Paclitaxel Eluting Coronary Stent System (Taxus Liberté Stent) and a prospective, open-label, single arm, controlled registry to analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of XIENCE V EECSS at mid-term and long-term follow-up in patients treated for MV-CAD. For the EXECUTIVE randomized trial, the primary endpoint is in-stent late lumen loss at 9 months. For the EXECUTIVE registry, the primary endpoint is a composite of all death, myocardial infarction (Q-wave and non-Q-wave), and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months. The study will be conducted at 30 study centers in Italy and 600 patients will be enrolled in total: 200 patients will be enrolled (1: 1) in the randomized trial and 400 patients will enter the registry. It was calculated that, assuming a mean in-stent late lumen loss of 0.20 +/- 0.41 mm in the XIENCE V EECSS arm and 0.30 +/- 0.53 mm in the Taxus Liberté stent arm, and a noninferiority margin delta of 0.12 (according to the SPIRIT III results), the analysis of 81 lesions per arm would provide over 90% power. Therefore, 200 patients will be enrolled to account for dropouts. The present study is expected to provide as yet unavailable information about the performance of second-generation stents in the specific setting of patients with MV-CAD.