Early Graft Patency Rates Research Articles

Outcomes of Single versus Sequential Vein Grafts in Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Insights from a Large Tertiary Care Center

BackgroundSaphenous venous grafts (SVG) remain the most widely used conduits in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Data comparing outcomes of single saphenous venous grafting (SinCABG) versus sequential venous grafting (SeqCABG), however, are limited. MethodsBetween 2002 and 2012, 2,375 patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease underwent isolated elective CABG at the Leipzig Heart Center with a left internal mammary artery graft to left anterior descending artery and ≥2 distal SVG anastomoses. Of these, 1,278 received ≥2 singular saphenous venous grafts (SinCABG) and 563 received ≥1 sequential saphenous vein grafts with >1 distal anastomoses (SeqCABG). The primary end point was long term survival. Secondary outcomes included short-term survival, early postoperative outcomes as well as early and late graft patency. ResultsAt 30-days, mortality was 1.3% following SinCABG as compared to 2.3% after SeqCABG (p=0.13). The postoperative complications rate did not differ between groups. Early postoperative coronary angiographies were performed in 127 patients (7%), while clinically indicated follow-up coronary angiographies were performed in 372 patients (20%) over a median follow up of 5 years (IQR 1.7-8.9). No differences in early or late patency rates were found between both grafting techniques (p=0.79 and p=0.39, respectively). The median duration of long-term clinical follow-up was 8.4 years (IQR 5.6-11.4). Long-term survival rates at 1, 5, 10 and 15 years in SinCABG versus SeqCABG were 95% versus 94%, 83% versus 82%, 63% versus 62%, and 47% versus 41%, respectively (p=0.22). ConclusionsShort and long-term mortality as well as early and late graft patency rates did not differ in patients undergoing SinCABG as compared to patients undergoing SeqCABG.

Graft Patency of No-Touch Saphenous Veins Used as Aortocoronary Bypass Grafts.

This study evaluated the early, 1-year, and 3-year graft patency rates and mid-term clinical outcomes after no-touch saphenous veins (NT-SVs) were used as aortocoronary grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In total, 101 patients who underwent CABG using NT-SVs as aortocoronary grafts were included. The 2 most common indications for performing aortocoronary grafting with NT-SVs were unavailability of the left internal thoracic artery (n=36) and moderate lesions where flow competition was expected (n=27). Early (median, 1 day; interquartile range [IQR], 1-2 days), 1-year (median, 13 months; IQR, 11-16 months), and 3-year (median, 34 months; IQR, 27-41 months) graft angiography was performed in 98 (97.0%), 84 (83.2%), and 40 patients (39.6%), respectively. The median follow-up duration was 43 months (IQR, 13-76 months). Overall survival rates and the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events were evaluated. The operative mortality rate was 2% (2 of 101 patients). Early postoperative patency rates for overall and aortocoronary NT-SV grafts were 98.2% (223 of 227 distal anastomoses) and 98.2% (164 of 167), respectively. The 1- and 3-year patency rates for aortocoronary SV grafts were 94.9% (131 of 138) and 90.6% (58 of 64), respectively. The overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 81.7% and 59%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events at 5 and 10 postoperative years was 20.7% and 39%, respectively. The feasibility of using NT-SVs as aortocoronary grafts in CABG was shown in this study, based on the graft patency rates up to 3 years and the mid-term clinical outcomes.

The early and midterm results of coronary endarterectomy combined with coronary artery bypass grafting for diffuse coronary artery stenosis

Objective: To examine the early and mid-term results of coronary endarterectomy (CE) combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the treatment of diffuse coronary artery stenosis. Methods: The clinical data and follow-up results of 248 patients who underwent CE+CABG surgery from January 2010 to January 2019 at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University was analyzed retrospectively. There were 201 males and 47 females, aged (65.6±8.5) years (range: 43 to 79 years). The on-pump group included 156 patients and the off-pump group included 92 patients. CABG was performed after CE. CE was performed on 248 patients who represented 269 target coronary lesions, of which 108 were located on the left anterior descending artery and sub-branches, 140 were located on the right coronary artery and sub-branches, and 21 were located on the left circumflex artery and obtuse marginal artery. A total of 872 bypass grafts were performed, including 248 left internal thoracic arteries, 48 radial arteries, and 576 great saphenous veins, with (3.5±0.8) grafts (range:2 to 6 grafts) per patient.The grafts had satisfactory bridge blood flow after CE, with the graft flow rates of (26±8) ml/min (range: 13 to 59 ml/min) and the pulsatility index value of 3.1±0.8 (range: 2.0 to 6.7). The t test and χ2 test was used to compare the surgical results and graft patency rate between patients in on-pump and off-pump group, respectively. Results: The number of graft vessels of on-pump group and off-pump group was 3.6±0.9 and 3.2±0.7, respectively(t=1.637, P=0.085). There were 3 deaths during the perioperative period, with a mortality rate of 1.2%. Two people died of renal failure, and one case was due to postoperative refractory low cardiac output. Perioperative myocardial infarction occurred in 9 cases. The follow-up time was (41.8±21.4) months (range:1 to 68 months). The all graft patency rate was 78.4%(812/232) in 1 year and 69.8%(162/232) in 3 years postoperatively. The left coronary graft patency rate was significantly higher than the right coronary graft patency rate(1-year: 87.4% vs.73.1%, χ²=6.533, P=0.011, 3-year: 78.2% vs. 64.8%, χ²=4.588, P=0.032). There was no significant difference in graft patency rates between the on-pump group and off-pump group (1-year: 80.0% vs. 76.9%, χ²=0.277, P=0.599, 3-year:71.5% vs. 67.9%, χ²=0.300, P=0.584). Conclusions: CE+CABG is a safe and feasible technique for patients with diffuse coronary artery disease to get more satisfied complete revascularization, with good early and medium-term results and graft patency rates. The outcomes of on-pump or off-pump CE+CABG are similar.

Initial Experience with Epicardial Ultrasound Scanning in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BackgroundThe benefits of epicardial ultrasound scanning (EUS) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have not yet been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of EUS in CABG, including in the assessment of the quality of distal anastomoses, the identification of epicardial target vessels, and the evaluation of any graft issues other than the distal anastomoses.MethodsFifty-three patients undergoing CABG were enrolled between March 2018 and February 2019. Intraoperative EUS was performed along with transit-time flow measurement (TTFM). Graft evaluations were performed early (shortly after surgery) and 1 year after surgery for 53 (100%) and 47 (88.7%) patients, respectively.ResultsEUS was applied to assess the quality of all distal anastomoses, 32 target vessels, and 2 conduit trunks. Insufficient TTFM findings were obtained for 18 grafts. However, graft revision was performed for only 3 distal anastomoses; based on the EUS findings, the remaining 15 sites were not revised. The early and 1-year overall graft patency rates were 100% (141 anastomoses) and 96.1% (122 of 127 anastomoses), respectively. All 15 of the distal anastomoses that were not revised despite insufficient TTFM results were patent at the 1-year mark.ConclusionThe routine application of EUS in CABG could be beneficial by confirming the quality of surgery and reducing unnecessary procedures.

Does Early Graft Patency Benefit from Perioperative Statin Therapy? A Propensity Score-Matched Study of Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Background Decreased graft patency after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) leads to substantial increases in cardiac events. However, there is paucity of data on efficacy and safety of perioperative statin therapy for OPCAB populations. Methods 582 patients undergoing OPCAB in a single-institution database (October 1, 2009–September 30, 2012) were stratified by perioperative continuation of statin therapy (CS group, n=398) or not (DS group, n=184). Inverse probability weighted propensity adjustment was used to account for treatment assignment bias, resulting in a well-matched cohort. Primary outcomes were graft patency at an average of five days after operation and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative blood loss, liver, and renal functions. Results No in-hospital death occurred in this study. Early graft patency rates after OPCAB were 98.4% (1255 of 1275 grafts) in the CS group and 98.0% (583 of 595 grafts, P=0.486) in the DS group. Secondary outcomes showed a reduction in blood loss during operation (438.53 mL versus 480.47 mL, P=0.01). Continuation of statin therapy is associated with alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation (49.67 U/L versus 34.52 U/L, P<0.001), as well as aspartate transaminase (33.54 U/L versus 28.10 U/L, P<0.001). Abnormal ALT elevation was observed in 8.9% of the CS group and 3.1% in DS (odds ratio 3.06, 95% confidence interval, 1.77 to 5.29, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate (76.28 mL/min/1.73m2 versus 76.13 mL/min/1.73m2, P=0.90). Subgroup analyses suggested that graft occlusion was less common in CS than in DS group among smoking patients (odds ratio 0.41, 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.86, P=0.026). Conclusions Perioperative continuation of statin therapy did not improve early graft patency in OPCAB patients. A lower risk of graft occlusion was observed among smoking patients. Continuous statin use correlated with liver function elevation (Clinical Trials.gov number, NCT 01268917).

The Right Gastroepiploic Artery Graft for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A 30-Year Experience.

Throughout its 30-year history, the right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) has been useful for in situ grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The early graft patency rate is high, and the late patency rate has improved by using the skeletonized GEA graft and proper target selection, which involves having a target coronary artery with a tight >90% stenosis. Total arterial revascularization with the internal thoracic artery and GEA grafts is an option for achieving better outcomes from CABG procedures.

Side-to-side anastomosis using 4 interrupted sutures in small coronary arteries

Side-to-side anastomosis in sequential bypass grafting of coronary arteries 1.0 mm in diameter or smaller, requires delicate surgical techniques with a high degree of technical difficulty. However, using only 4 interrupted sutures, we have performed side-to-side anastomosis in sequential grafting without difficulty in a short operative duration. We applied this technique in 58 distal anastomosis procedures, achieving an early angiographic graft patency rate of 100%.

A simple method for eliminating strain on aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass grafts: The suspension of the right atrial appendage and plication of the right atrium

Strain on saphenous vein grafts may compromise the blood flow in the bypass graft. This may result in early postoperative ischemic complications as well as a decrease in early and late graft patency rates. In this article, we present two simple techniques to eliminate the excessive strain on the saphenous grafts when the patient is weaned off the cardiopulmonary bypass.

The Results of the Enclose II Proximal Anastomotic Device in 178 Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgeries

Enclose II is a new device for proximal coronary artery bypass anastomoses. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Enclose II in patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Enclose II was used for isolated off-pump CABG in 178 patients at six heart centers between October 2005 and December 2009. The preoperative characteristics of the patients, complications related to Enclose II, and early graft patency rates were examined. A total of 222 proximal anastomoses were performed in 178 patients using Enclose II. Forty-four of these patients had two proximal anastomoses using this device. New cerebral infarction that arose in two patients (1.1%) was not related to Enclose II. No aortic injury occurred. The graft patency rate was 96.4% at 1 year after surgery. Enclose II is a safe and useful assist device for proximal anastomoses in patients undergoing off-pump CABG.

A 10-year angiographic follow-up of competitive flow in sequential and composite arterial grafts☆

Physiological reaction to competitive flow is considered as the primary mechanism of arterial graft occlusion. Reopening of graft lumen had been also reported, but details remain unknown. We sought to delineate the effect of management of the moderately stenotic targets on the occurrence of competitive flow and clinical results. Clinical records and angiograms of 3263 bypass grafts in 852 patients, who underwent off-pump coronary revascularization using the internal thoracic artery (ITA) and radial artery without aortic manipulation since 2000, were examined. Dominant flow direction was graded as antegrade, competitive, and no flow (occlusion). Late angiography was performed in 157 patients with 561 bypass grafts for clinical reasons. The follow-up period was 55.5 ± 31.1 months. The early graft patency rate was 98.0% (3197/3263). The rate of antegrade flow was 91.5% (2986/3263), while competitive flow was detected in 6.5% (211/3263). The actuarial patency rates of bypass grafts with antegrade flow were significantly higher than those with competitive flow (87.9% at 5 years and 71.3% at 8 years, vs 25.8% at 5 years and 9.2% at 8 years, p<0.0001). In the univariate and multivariate analyses for 852 patients, territory of right coronary artery (odds ratio (OR)=2.20, p=0.0002), composite radial artery (OR=1.90, p=0.03), and the distal end of the graft (OR=2.90, p=0.0003), were identified as the significant predictors of competitive flow from the target with 51-75% stenosis. Individual grafting inversely correlated with occurrence of competitive flow (OR=0.48, p=0.04). Reopening of the graft lumen associated with progression of native stenosis was not observed in these patients. Competitive flow can be efficiently avoided by appropriate graft arrangement and patients' selection. Selection of the target of the graft end would be crucial to achieve antegrade bypass flow and long-term patency of entire sequential bypass grafts. For the composite graft, functional recovery of the occluded graft would be extremely rare.

Diabetes Does Not Affect Long-Term Results After Total Arterial Off-Pump Coronary Revascularization

We evaluated the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) on 5-year angiographic results and long-term clinical outcomes in patients who underwent total arterial off-pump coronary revascularization for multivessel coronary disease. Between January 1998 and July 2004, total arterial revascularization for multivessel coronary disease was performed in 558 patients; 247 patients were diabetic (DM group) and 311 were nondiabetic (NDM group). Follow-up duration was 81 ± 26 months. Long-term survival, cardiac deaths, and major advanced cardiovascular or cerebral events were studied. Effects of DM on early, 1-year, and 5-year graft patency rates were compared using the generalized linear mixed model. No differences in operative mortality and morbidity were observed. Overall survival in the DM group was significantly lower (p = 0.004), with 10-year survival rates of 78.5% (vs 88.1% in the NDM group). Independent risk factors for long-term survival included smoking, chronic renal failure, and preoperative left ventricular dysfunction, but not DM itself. No differences in freedom from cardiac death were found between the 2 groups (p = 0.171). Freedom from reintervention and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events were also similar between the groups. Early, 1-year, and 5-year postoperative angiographic patency rates in the DM group were 98.2%, 95.3%, and 94.6%, respectively. Those of the NDM group were 98.6%, 94.7%, and 90.5%. Diabetes mellitus did not affect graft patency rates. Diabetes mellitus did not affect 5-year angiographic results, long-term survival, and clinical events in patients with multivessel coronary disease who underwent total arterial off-pump revascularization.

Cardiotomy suction, but not open venous reservoirs, activates coagulofibrinolysis in coronary artery surgery

Closed and miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass circuits, which eliminate cardiotomy suction and open venous reservoirs with a reduced priming volume, have been reported to be advantageous. We comparatively examined the respective contribution of cardiotomy suction and open venous reservoirs to perioperative activation in coagulofibrinolysis and inflammation systems, with identical conditions of priming volume and anticoagulation. A total of 75 consecutive coronary artery bypass grafting procedures were performed using 1 of the following 3 cardiopulmonary bypass circuits under identical conditions of priming volumes, heparin coating, and protocols of anticoagulation and transfusion, as follows: a circuit with an open venous reservoir and cardiotomy suction (open group, n = 25), a circuit with an open venous reservoir without cardiotomy suction (nonsuction group, n = 25), or a circuit without either (closed group, n = 25). Blood samples were collected at 8 points up to the first postoperative morning. The thrombin-antithrombin III complex, fibrinogen degeneration products, D-dimer, plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels were significantly greater in the open group than those in the other 2 groups (P < .0001, for all markers). The C3a and interleukin-6 levels were similar among all the groups. The incidences of perioperative transfusion and postoperative bleeding were increased and the early graft patency rate of saphenous veins was lower in the open group than those in the other 2 groups. Cardiotomy suction, but not open venous reservoirs, causes perioperative coagulofibrinolysis activation, although neither affects the inflammation system. The use of cardiotomy suction needs to be examined further in association with postoperative PAI-1 elevation and early vein graft occlusion.

Endoscopic vein harvest in elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

While traditional open vein harvest was related to postoperative wound complications, endoscopic vein harvest was developed to minimize the morbidity in the greater saphenous vein harvest procedure. In this study, these two procedures were compared for postoperative wound healing and long-term graft patency. We reviewed all consecutive patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting from January 2004 to December 2005 and collected data regarding wound complications and coronary events. Wound complications included dehiscence, excessive discharge, edema, altered sensation, cellulitis, hematoma, pain scale, and superficial and deep wound infection. Coronary events were defined as diagnosis of myocardial infarction during the first year's follow-up. A total of 392 patients were included in our series, among whom 44 were excluded from the study due to emergent operation, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump support, or the greater saphenous vein varicose characteristic, 78 belonged to open vein harvest group, and 270 to endoscopic vein harvest group. Wound complications were significantly less in the endoscopic group (5.2%) compared to the open group (19.2%) (P=0.0002). There was no significant difference on preoperative risk factors, total operative time, or hospitalization days. During one-year follow-up, both the early and late graft patency rates were similar between the two groups. Endoscopic vein harvest is safe and effective, which carries less risk for wound complications and is associated with better satisfaction and cosmetic result than the traditional greater saphenous vein harvest procedure. The endoscopic vein harvest also demonstrates a great long-term patency.

Long-term survival and functional recovery after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with left ventricular dysfunction has been considered to be a challenging operation. We assessed the early angiographic and long-term clinical and functional outcomes of patients with poor left ventricular function who underwent isolated CABG. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 78 patients with a poor left ventricular ejection fraction (35% or less) who underwent isolated CABG between January 1991 and November 2006. The mean age of the patients was 66.1+/-9.4 years, and their mean New York Heart Association functional class was 3.1+/-0.8. Their mean end-diastolic left ventricular diameter was 57.4+/-8.1 mm, and their mean grade of mitral regurgitation was 0.7+/-1.0. Early postoperative angiograms were performed at 32.5+/-33.5 days after the operation. Interval echocardiographic data were analyzed, and the long-term survival rate was evaluated. The average number of distal anastomoses per patient was 3.2 +/-1.1. The operative mortality rate was 7.7%. Stroke occurred in 1.3% of patients. The overall patency rates for arterial and venous grafts were 100% and 97.2%, respectively. The left ventricular ejection fraction significantly improved from 28.2%+/-5.1% to 34.4%+/-8.4%. Both the end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular dimensions significantly decreased from 57.4+/-8.1 to 55.1+/-8.8 mm and from 47.4+/-8.4 to 45.1+/-9.7, re spectively. The actuarial patient survival rate at 10 years was 73.1%. CABG in patients with left ventricular dysfunction was effective, with favorable early graft patency rates. The long-term outcome was also acceptable, with echocardiographic functional recovery.

Predictive factors for the intermediate-term patency of arterial grafts in aorta no-touch off-pump coronary revascularization

Graft flow is one of the important determinants of the arterial graft patency. To establish the optimal graft design, we examined detailed characteristics of the arterial composite and sequential grafts, and sought to delineate the risk factors of graft occlusion due to insufficient bypass flow. Angiograms of 2547 bypass grafts in 677 consecutive patients who underwent total arterial off-pump CABG without aortic manipulation followed by early postoperative angiography since December 2000 were reviewed. The angiographic flow was graded as A (antegrade), B (competitive), C (reversal), and O (occlusion). The overall early graft patency rate was 98.2% (2502/2547). The rate of grade A was 91.3% (2325/2547), while the rates of grades B and C were 2.9% (73/2547) and 4.1% (104/2547), respectively. For the main trunk of the anterior descending branch (LAD), the graft patency rate was 99.3% (674/679). The grade A rate of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts to LAD in an individual fashion was 99.5% (203/204), being comparable with that in the sequential or composite grafting which had two distal anastomoses (98.1%, 159/162; p=0.33). The actuarial patency rates at 3 years were 84.7% for the bypass grafts with grade A flow and 33.9% for those with grade B/C flow, respectively (p<0.0001). The multivariate Cox-regression analysis demonstrated that grade B/C (p<0.0001, HR=4.19) and 51-75% stenosis of the native coronary artery (p=0.02, HR=2.86) were significant predictors of graft occlusion. For the LAD, the results of graft flow in sequential ITA grafting or composite grafting with two distal anastomoses were comparable with that in individual ITA grafting. Prediction and prevention of competitive and reverse flow are mandatory for achieving the advantages of the arterial materials.

Early and Midterm Results of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Early outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting have been documented by numerous studies. However, there have been few reports concerning midterm outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 602 consecutive patients (24.8% female) who underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting between April 2001 and July 2004. Mean age was 66.7 +/- 9.3 years. Mean Canadian Cardiovascular Society score was 2.5 +/- 0.9. Early postoperative angiograms were evaluated during the same period of hospitalization. Midterm outcomes, including overall patient survival, freedom from cardiac death, and freedom from the combined endpoint of cardiac events, were evaluated. The average number of distal anastomoses per patient was 3.6 +/- 1.4. The average operation time was 286.1 +/- 72.1 minutes. Long segmental reconstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed in 218 patients (36.2%). Total arterial grafting was performed in 466 patients (77.4%). Thirty-day mortality was 0.5%. Overall patency rate for all grafts and anastomoses was 97.5% and 97.6%, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 2.9 +/- 1.0 years. Cumulative patient survival at 5 years was 87.9% +/- 2.4%. Freedom from cardiac death was 97.7% +/- 0.6% at 5 years. Freedom from the combined endpoint of cardiac events was 83.8% +/- 2.3% at 5 years. Early and midterm outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting have acceptable mortality and cardiac events rates, with favorable early graft patency rates.

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Acute Myocardial Infarction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical results of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within 14 days of the infarction. From April 2000 to January 2005 among 841 patients who underwent OPCAB, 43 consecutive patients (5.1%) were examined. Mean age at operation was 69.5 years and mean time from the onset of AMI to surgery was 4.6 days. Seventeen patients (39.5%) had left main trunk disease. Three patients (7.0%) underwent OPCAB following unsuccessful percutaneous coronary intervention, and 1 patient (2.3%) underwent redo procedure 9 years after previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Six patients (14%) were admitted in cardiogenic shock. Intraaortic balloon pumping was inserted preoperatively in 20 patients (46.5%). The average maximum creatine kinase-myocardial band was 139+/-181 (U/L). The mean number of grafts was 3.2 and the rate of complete revascularization was 91%. Two of six patients with preoperative cardiogenic shock were converted to on-pump beating CABG due to ventricular arrythmia. The early graft patency rate was 98%. All patients survived except 2 with preoperative cardiogenic shock. OPCAB can be performed after AMI as a relatively low-risk procedure with an acceptable mortality rate, even within 14 days of the infarction.

Early Outcome of a Randomized Comparison of Off-Pump and On-Pump Multiple Arterial Coronary Revascularization

Previous randomized comparisons of off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have yielded controversial results about the cardiac and neurological events and graft patency. In addition, these randomized studies were composed of CABG with a few arterial grafts. We performed a prospective randomized controlled study to compare off-pump and on-pump CABG with multiple arterial grafts. Between July, 2002, and September, 2004, 167 consecutive unselected patients referred for elective primary CABG were randomly assigned to undergo multiple arterial off-pump CABG (n=81) or on-pump CABG (n=86). The clinical outcomes and S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, and maximum creatine kinase-MB levels were compared. Early graft patency was examined within 3 weeks after the operation by angiography. The number of grafts performed per patient (3.5+/-1.0 for off-pump CABG and 3.6+/-0.9 for on-pump CABG) and the number of arterial grafts performed per patient (3.3+/-1.0 for off-pump CABG and 3.4+/-0.9 for on-pump CABG) were similar. Completeness of revascularization (completed grafts/planned grafts) was 98% in both procedures. There were no hospital deaths in either group. The operation time was significantly (P<0.001) shorter in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (267+/-60 minutes versus 307+/-59 minutes). The incidence of perioperative complications was similar. The frequency of no need for transfusion was higher in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (80% versus 55%, P<0.001). The S-100 protein levels at the admission into the intensive care unit were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (0.20+/-0.11 ng/mL versus 0.34+/-0.22 ng/mL). The neuron-specific enolase levels at the intensive care unit admission were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (10.4+/-9.0 ng/mL versus 16.9+/-6.9 ng/mL). Maximum creatine kinase-MB levels were significantly (P=0.046) lower in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (17.1+/-16.7 IU/L versus 21.5+/-10.6 IU/L). The overall early graft patency rate with or without stenosis was the same (98%) in both groups, but the rate without stenosis was slightly worse in the off-pump group (93%) than in the on-pump group (96%) (P=0.093). The stenosis-free patency rate in the right coronary area was significantly (P=0.028) worse in the off-pump CABG group (90%) than in the on-pump group (99%). Off-pump CABG with multiple arterial grafts was as safe as the conventional on-pump CABG, with similar completeness of revascularization and early graft patency.

Tranexamic acid and early saphenous vein graft patency in conventional coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial

Use of antifibrinolytic agents reduces the risk of bleeding and decreases the need for blood product use in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether perioperative use of tranexamic acid decreases the rate of saphenous vein graft patency in the early postoperative period after conventional coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. A total of 312 patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized to receive either tranexamic acid 100 mg/kg (n = 147) or placebo (n = 165) in a double-blinded fashion before the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Saphenous vein graft patency was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging 5 to 30 days after surgery. Both groups were comparable with respect to baseline demographic data and surgical characteristics. A total of 237 (76%) patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging assessment. A total of 297 saphenous vein grafts were performed and 253 (85.2%; 95% confidence interval, 83.5%-86.9%) were seen in the tranexamic acid group, and 265 saphenous vein grafts were performed and 231 (87.2%; 95% confidence interval, 85.5%-88.9%) were seen in the placebo group (P = .4969). The blood loss and blood product transfusion rates in the tranexamic acid group were significantly lower than in the placebo group. There was no difference between groups with respect to postoperative morbidity and mortality. The administration of tranexamic acid before cardiopulmonary bypass did not seem to compromise early venous graft patency rates but reduced perioperative blood product transfusion rates. Consequently, tranexamic acid could be advocated for routine use in patients undergoing conventional coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Transducible recombinant small heat shock-related protein, HSP20, inhibits vasospasm and platelet aggregation

BackgroundHuman saphenous vein (HSV) is the autologous conduit of choice for peripheral vascular reconstruction. Injury during harvest leads to vasospasm and a thrombogenic endoluminal surface. A proteomic transduction approach was developed to prevent vein graft vasospasm and thrombosis. MethodsRecombinant HSP20 protein linked to the TAT protein transduction domain was generated in a bacterial expression system (TAT-HSP20). The effect of this protein on the inhibition of smooth muscle contraction was determined using rings of rabbit aorta and HSV in a muscle bath. In addition, the effects of TAT-HSP20 on platelet aggregation were determined in vitro using human citrated whole blood. ResultsRecombinant TAT-HSP20 inhibited norepinephrine-induced contraction of rabbit aortic and HSV segments. Similarly, TAT-HSP20 induced smooth muscle relaxation in HSV segments precontracted with norepinephrine. In human-citrated whole blood, platelet aggregation was significantly inhibited by TAT-HSP20 in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that recombinant TAT-HSP20 inhibits vascular smooth muscle contraction and platelet aggregation. This suggests that HSP20 may be an ideal effector molecule to target as a proteomic approach to enhance early vein graft patency rates by preventing acute vasospasm and thrombosis.