Left Internal Thoracic Artery Research Articles

The use of three-dimensional imaging for R0 resection of a left upper lobe adenocarcinoma after coronary artery bypass surgery.

The use of three-dimensional imaging for R0 resection of a left upper lobe adenocarcinoma after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura

BackgroundSolitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are rare diseases of the thoracic cavity. They frequently grow unnoticed until they exert compressive effects on adjacent organs. Treatment of solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura is surgical resection. Post-operative surveillance is recommended to identify early recurrent disease.Case presentationWe present a rare case of a 76-year-old female patient with no previous pulmonary history who presented with progressive dyspnea, fatigue, and involuntary weight loss. On chest X-ray and computed chest tomography scan, she was found to have a 16.7 cm × 12.8 cm × 10.1 cm bulky mass occupying the left hemithorax with associated compressive atelectasis of the lung. She underwent a computed tomography guided biopsy that revealed the mass to be a solitary fibrous tumor. The patient underwent left muscle sparing lateral thoracotomy with complete resection of the tumor. Post procedure, the left lung fully expanded. 18 months post-resection, she developed a 3.3 cm × 1.7 cm tumor along the left internal thoracic artery lymph node chain which was histologically identical to the resected tumor. The patient is currently being treated with bevacizumab and temozolomide.ConclusionSolitary fibrous tumors are very rare pleural tumors. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice followed by close post-operative surveillance.

Managing diffusely diseased coronary arteries – place of endarterectomy in today's scenario

Introduction: Surgical management of diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD) requires aggressive techniques for complete revascularization. Coronary endarterectomy (CE) coupled with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a valuable technique for this subset. The aim is to evaluate the perioperative and early results following CE. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and eighty patients of diffuse CAD undergoing off-pump CABG were included in the study. CE was performed in 204 patients. The mean age of the patients was 62 ± 16.32 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.43, and the mean SYNTAX score was 33.12 ± 6.42. The mean stay in the intensive care unit was 4.94 ± 2.72 for patients undergoing CABG with CE. The perioperative mortality was 4.9%. The patients were followed up at 3 months, and graft patency was assessed with computed tomography coronary angiography. The average graft patency was 86.725% for the grafts with CE. Patients with left anterior descending (LAD) CE had higher perioperative mortality (5%), overall survival (89.79% at 3 months), and graft patency rates (87%) were favorable. The outcome following single vessel CE was better than multivessel CE. Conclusion: In patients with diffuse CAD, CE is a safe technique with comparable mortality and lesser complication rate if performed adequately. Despite perioperative difficulties, early outcomes are favorable for CE to the LAD artery grafted with the left internal thoracic artery. Single vessel CE yielded a better result as compared to multivessel CE.

Negative pressure wound therapy in patients with diabetes undergoing left internal thoracic artery harvest: A randomized control trial

BackgroundPatients with diabetes undergoing CABG are at risk of wound infection. Incisional negative pressure wound therapy has been shown to be effective in decreasing incidence of infection in high-risk wounds. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be used to assess wound oxygenation and low values can predict infection. ObjectivesTo evaluate utility of NIRS to assess wound oxygenation, to assess effect of sternotomy, left internal thoracic artery harvest, and wound dressing type on wound edge oxygenation. MethodsIn this blinded randomized control trial, patients with diabetes undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with a left internal thoracic artery were randomized to receive either incisional negative pressure wound therapy dressing or a standard dressing. NIRS measurements were made on the left upper arm (control), and left and right parasternal regions on day –1 (preoperative), day 5, and week 6 after surgery. Results were analyzed using repeated measures parametric methods. ResultsEighty patients with diabetes were recruited, 40 to the incisional negative pressure wound therapy group and 40 to the standard dressing group. Adjusted NIRS readings dropped significantly in all patients by day 5 and partially recovered by week 6. In both groups, there was no difference between readings on the left and right. At all time points and on both sides, there was no difference in readings between patients in the 2 groups. ConclusionsNIRS can be used to assess oxygenation adjacent to a sternotomy wound. Adjusted tissue oxygen levels change with time after sternotomy and left internal thoracic artery harvest in patients with diabetes. Wound dressing type does not influence day 5 wound edge oxygenation.

Characteristics and long-term outcome for congenital left main coronary artery atresia.

The prevalence of congenital left main coronary artery atresia is very low. We report the characteristics and long-term outcomes of four children with left main coronary artery atresia. Three patients had heart murmurs due to mitral regurgitation at less than 1year old. Their myocardial ischaemia worsened on exercise with aging. In the fourth patient, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Noonan syndrome were suspected at 1year old. The development of communicating arteries between the conus branch and the left anterior descending artery was detected at 7years old. The left main coronary artery atresia was confirmed by a selective coronary angiogram at 15years old. Congenital left main coronary artery atresia could not be diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography; however, the left coronary arteries were small. Two patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting of the left anterior descending artery using the left internal thoracic artery at 3years and 6years old, respectively. Two patients had an angioplasty with a cut back at the orifice of the left coronary artery at 2years old and 17years old, respectively. Two patients had no cardiac events without medication for more than 30years after the operation. We must differentiate the diagnosis of left main coronary artery atresia in the small left coronary arteries with mitral regurgitation during the first year. Coronary artery revascularisation and mitral annuloplasty are needed. The long-term outcome of both coronary artery bypass grafting and angioplasty were good. The degree of mitral regurgitation after surgery may affect the prognosis.

Immediate results of using both internal thoracic arteries for coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with ischemic artery disease

Objective: To compare direct results of «in situ» and Y-graft bimammary autoarterial bypass in patients having coronary artery disease.Methods: From January 2018 to November 2020, 107 patients having ischemic artery disease undergone coronary artery bypass surgery in the Cardiac Surgery Department No.1 of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Center for Cardiovascular Surgery" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Krasnoyarsk). The distribution of the groups was carried out in a 3:1 ratio: in the first group (24 patients) both internal thoracic arteries were used for myocardial revascularization according to the «in situ» technique, in the second group (composite bypass surgery) (83 patients) the right internal thoracic artery was anastomosed with a free graft with the left internal thoracic artery (Y- graft).Results: There were no cases of hospital mortality. The duration of operations in the composite bypass group was significantly higher than in the «in situ» group (126.4 minutes ± 20.1 minutes versus 172.3 minutes ± 27.1 minutes, p = 0.038). The reason for extra time is the necessity to put a large number of distal anastomoses. Bleeding in the early postoperative period was observed only in one case (1.2%) in the composite bypass group. Perioperative myocardial infarctions, neurological complications, and deep wound infection of the sternum weren't observed in any group. One patient from the «in situ» group (4.2%) and one patient from the composite bypass grafting group (1.2%), experienced the postoperative period complicated by a superficial wound infection in the area of the sternotomy access (p = 0.649). In the «in situ» group, average blood flow velocity according to flowmetry data was 32 ml / min ± 8.1 ml / min, and in the composite shunting group it counted 51.8 ml / min ± 12.3 ml / min, p = 0.001.Conclusions. Using both internal thoracic arteries for coronary artery bypass surgery provides a favorable effect of surgical treatment in the postoperative period. This operation technique can be safely performed with low mortality rate and less complications. It may be associated with improved long-term patient survival; but this requires further analysis of the study results in a longer period.

Prognosis of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Preschool-Aged Patients with Myocardial Ischemia Due to Giant Aneurysm of Kawasaki Disease.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for severe cardiac sequelae of Kawasaki disease (KD) complicated by myocardial ischemia is feasible even in childhood. However, no report has summarized the prognosis of CABG in preschool-aged children. Therefore, we evaluated the outcomes of seven preschool-aged children who underwent CABG for the cardiac sequelae of KD in our hospital. The median age at KD onset and CABG was 36 and 59 months, respectively. The median period from KD onset to CABG was 12 months. The median post-operative observation period was 108 months. CABG between the left internal thoracic artery and left anterior descending artery was performed in all patients. In all patients, postoperative cardiac catheter examination revealed good graft patency and no anastomotic stenosis. Further, pre-operative abnormality of coronary flow reserve returned to normal after CABG. Currently, only one patient is taking warfarin. Regarding school–life management, no patient has exercise limitations, except for one patient who had acute myocardial infarction before CABG. Further, the risk of graft stenosis or occlusion was evaluated in the included patients. However, no accidents have been reported to date, and myocardial ischemia and school–life management have improved. Thus, CABG is an effective treatment in preschool-aged children.

Reconstruction of a Diffusely Diseased Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery with Left Internal Thoracic Artery Patch: One year follow up

Background: Management of patients with extensive coronary artery disease (CAD) is challenging. This study presents the results of extensive reconstruction of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery using the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) patch in patients with extensive LAD disease.
 Methods: This study was conducted between January 2017 and April 2020 and included 86 patients. Males presented 88% (n=76), and the mean age was 57.8±7.31 years. Patients underwent long (2- 4 cm, n= 51) or extensive (≥4 cm, n=. 35) segment reconstruction of the LAD using LITA graft. Associated comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (n= 68, 79%), hypertension (n=, 60, 69%), and chronic kidney disease (n= 5, 5.8%).
 Results: The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 107 ±21.24 and 68±12.8 min, respectively. ICU stay ranged from 1 to 15 days and hospital stay from 6 to 30 days. Seven patients (8%) needed IABP, 3 (3.5%) had low cardiac output, 10 (11.5%) had pulmonary complications, 5 (5.8%) had mediastinitis, 7 (8%) had a stroke, and 5 (5.8%) had acute kidney injury. Mortality occurred in seven patients (8%), 4 (4.6%) had hospital mortality, and 3 (3.5%) had late mortality. During the 1-year follow-up, 7 (8%) patients had recurrent anginal pain. CT angiography showed patent LITA to LAD in 6 patients.
 Conclusion: Extensive LITA patch reconstruction of the diffuse LAD disease could be a safe procedure with accepted early clinical outcomes.

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) with the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) provides excellent long-term results for isolated left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) disease. We tried to evaluate the impact of the previous percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) for LAD on the clinical outcomes of MIDCAB in this study. A total of 197 patients with isolated LAD disease underwent MIDCAB in our center from February 2009 to May 2020. 51 patients had the p-PCI for LAD and 146 patients did not. The primary outcome was the major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE). The incidences of the perioperative outcomes were comparable between the two groups (p > .05). The median follow-up time was 48.0 months (interquartile range, 25.9-85.5 months). The incidences of MACE (p < .001) and myocardial infarction or recurrent angina (p < .001) were significantly higher in the p-PCIgroup than those in the non-PCI group. The estimated 5-year freedom from MACE in the p-PCI group was significantly lower (56.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 41.2%-71.0% vs. 83.4%, 95% CI: 76.7%-90.1%, p < .001). The previous LAD-PCI (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.664, 95% CI: 1.471-4.822, p = .001) and the history of peripheral arterial disease (HR: 3.145, 95% CI: 1.085-9.113, p = .035) were the independent predictors of MACE. The p-PCI group had a higher diseased graft rate than the non-PCI group (10.9% vs. 2.3%, p = .046). The previous LAD-PCI may deteriorate the outcomes of MIDCAB in patients with isolated LAD disease.

Covering/Overstenting of the left subclavian artery (LSA) in thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) to treat various thoracic/thoracoabdominal aortic lesions: is revascularization of the left arm a must?(A retrospective cohort study with 12 years of experience to describe the real-world situation of daily clinical practice and the literature review)

&lt;b&gt; Introduction:&lt;/b&gt; Pathologies of the descending thoracic aorta inwardly extended towards the aortic arch actually shorten the proximal landing zone for aortic prosthesis. This, in turn, worsens the accessibility of the aorta for endovascular therapeutic options of those pathologies. &lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt; Aim:&lt;/b&gt; This work considers the blockage of the left subclavian artery (LSA) through endovascular treatment of the pathologies of the descending aorta as the main work question, based on the hypothesis that there is no necessity for primary standard revascularization of the LSA in TEVAR with LSA covering. The researchers have 12 years of experience in the treatment of different thoracic aortic lesions. Their experience will also be reviewed in this paper. &lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt; Materials and methods:&lt;/b&gt; Retrospective unicenter cohort study in consecutive patients to describe the real-world situation of daily clinical practice. All patients who had undergone endovascular, hybrid, or open operative therapy of different pathologies of the descending aorta were included in this study. Various parameters were investigated, including therapeutic procedures such as 1) pure endovascular vs. hybrid; 2) year of therapy; 3) symptomatic vs. asymptomatic status of the patients; 4) different epidemiological factors (age, sex, risk factors, mortality, and follow-up); 5) overstenting/blocking of the LSA; 6) complications of applied therapies; 7) further operations/interventions to treat such complications; 8) radiological aortic measurements (such as lumen extensions, false lumen measurements, distance to the supra-aortic and visceral vessels); and 9) multiple other pathological features. Different statistical parameters were also examined. Survival was analysed with the Kaplan-Meier assessment in the group of whole patients vs. the group of over-stented patients. The analysis of variance was performed for independent parameters for the revascularized patients – not the revascularized patients – who had undergone LSA coverage. For statistical approval, the U-test was used. The P-value &lt; 0.05 was considered significantly different. The literature review was performed by means of a search in PubMed, Google scholar, Research Gate, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane library, using the following terms: endovascular, TEVAR, revascularization, stroke, and left-subclavian-artery ischemia. The literature is classified accordingly in relation to the main topic. In fact, the literature underwent further analysis depending on the fact whether it went with or against our hypothesis. &lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt; Results:&lt;/b&gt; Overall, 112 patients were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference comparing the non-revascularized vs.the revascularized group of patients, considering the consequences on cerebrovascular circulation (hemorrhagic, n = 1 case [4.8%] vs. 0 case [0%]; p = 0.32 and ischemic, n = 2 cases [9.6%] vs. 1 case [4.8%]; p = 0.56). There was no registered cases of spinal cord ischemia or left arm ischemia. As the main result, there was no case of left arm ischemia or death (mortality, 0). Survival was as follows for both groups: 22 [95% CI, 14.154–29.904] months vs. 43 [95% CI, 33.655–51.921] months, respectively, with no significant statistical difference (P &gt; 0.05). The only statistically significant risk factor found was renal insufficiency (P, 0.028) but this too was considered a trend by the urgency of revascularization. Postoperatively, pneumonia showed a trend of higher frequency (P = 0.058) in the revascularized cases (n = 0 in the non-revascularized vs. n = 3 [21.4%] in the revascularized cases). There was no significant difference in the occurance of postoperative neurovascular complications (such as cerebrovascular accidents, spinal cord ischemia, or left arm ischemia) by comparing the groups of non-revascularized and revascularized patients. &lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt; &lt;b&gt; Conclusions: &lt;/b&gt; The revascularization of the overstented LSA due to TEVAR should be limited to certain indications, including 1) inadequate intracerebral circle of Willis; 2) predominantly perfused left vertebral artery with inadequate blood perfusion via the right vertebral artery (e.g., by stenosis), 3) anatomic variance such as the left vertebral artery originating directly from the aortic arch (and must be blocked by TEVAR); 4) need of an adequate left internal thoracic artery for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); 5) need of a patent LSA for the dialysis shunt of the left arm. However, there is no appropriate evidence as yet based on sufficient study results achieved in trials with an advanced design (such as [double-]blind, multicenter randomized study) that appears to be urgently required.

Robotically assisted hybrid coronary revascularization-Masterly technique but is it for the masses?

Hybrid coronary revascularization consists of left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and transcatheter revascularization of the non‐LAD stenosis in specific settings to achieve complete coronary revascularization. Technique to perform the LITA to LAD graft has ranged from median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass to robotically assisted totally endoscopic coronary bypass surgery using beating heart revascularization.

Techniques and Outcomes of the No-Touch Vein Conduit as a Y-Composite Graft.

Although the saphenous vein is a widely used conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting, revascularization using the saphenous vein as an aortocoronary bypass graft has shown disadvantages of lower long-term graft patency rates and subsequently worse clinical outcomes, compared with revascularization using the internal thoracic artery. Of the various efforts to overcome the limitations of vein conduit that are resulting from structural and functional differences from arterial conduit, recent technical improvement in no-touch vein composite graft construction and outcomes of revascularization using no-touch vein composite grafts based on the left internal thoracic artery will be discussed in this topic.

Outcomes of total arterial revascularization vs conventional revascularization in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A narrative review of major studies.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a widely used surgical procedure which improves clinical outcomes in appropriately selected patients. Conventionally, the greater saphenous vein is often used in CABG. However, due to their higher long-term patency rates, arterial conduits are routinely used, with the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) on left anterior descending (LAD) being the gold standard in CABG. Our aim in the present work was to investigate the outcomes of a total arterial grafting (TAG) on the whole heart, with no use of venous grafts, compared to mixed conduits in real-world data. A literature search was conducted in the bibliographic databases PubMed and Web of Science. Only studies comparing TAG with conventional CABG (at least one venous graft plus one or more arterial grafts), with at least one hundred patients in each group were included in this review. After study selection, a total of 15 relevant studies were evaluated and discussed in the present review. Results indicated that TAG is a highly efficient technique, and multiple arterial grafts can be used to reliably revascularize all coronary artery territories. TAG was more beneficial in terms of both short and long-term outcomes and its use should be encouraged. Large randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the superiority of total arterial grafting with regard to long-term outcomes.

INSPIRATORY MUSCLES TRAINING: AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO IMPROVE POST-OPERATIVE OUTCOMES AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease and has many risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity and smoking. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the consequences of CVD.1 If we talk about CAD, it is a really common heart disease in our country, also known as ischemic heart disease and develops when coronary arteries or its sub-branches which are the blood supply of the heart become narrowed or blocked due to accumulation of plaque leading to an impaired supply of oxygen rich blood to the heart and thus cause retrosternal chest pain typically known as angina that is accompanied by dyspnea.2 Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is generally the ideal treatment option for the individuals suffering from CAD. In this procedure, an auto-graft of vessel is taken and the commonly used vessels are left internal thoracic artery and great saphenous vein. The graft is sutured in such a way that the blocked coronary artery is bypassed and the blood supply to the heart is restored.3 Although medical sciences have advanced a lot, yet the prevalence of post-operative complications, specifically the respiratory ones pose an immediate threat to the survival and are the aiding factors to mortality and morbidity.4 Physical therapy after any surgery plays a pivotal role in improving the post-operative outcomes and helps the patient fight the effects of surgery. It makes a patient return to his or her normal life and helps in the early discharge of patients from hospitals thus preventing the chances of hospital acquired infections and reducing the financial load on masses.5 Respiratory rehabilitation, which is the specialty of physical therapy, have tremendous positive effects on the pulmonary compliance and function by preventing the post-operative pulmonary atelectasis.6 Moving further towards the components of respiratory rehabilitation, a group of breathing maneuvers conjointly known as inspiratory muscles training (IMT), if applied pre-operatively to the patients who are scheduled to undergo the coronary artery by-pass grafting displayed healthy post-operative outcomes.7 To conclude, it is the dire need of today to raise awareness among the health care professionals especially cardiologists and cardio-thoracic surgeons; and the general public regarding the pre-operative respiratory physical therapy for the patients planned to go through CABG. So, in the light of supported evidence, it is proved that respiratory physical therapy, particularly pre-operative IMT has positive outcomes in post-operative state. Moreover, the authors would also like to shed light on the facts about the healthcare policies and physical therapy services in Pakistan. Contrary to public sector hospitals, the rehabilitation departments in private sector hospitals are properly managed, substantially equipped and well established, leading to enhanced quality of physical therapy practices that result in better prognosis of the patients. The health department of our country should also emphasize on the public sector hospitals to make necessary arrangements for logistics of sufficient equipment and the hiring of physical therapists that are qualified and specialized in the field of cardiopulmonary physical therapy.

Bilateral internal thoracic artery use in two-vessel disease does not increase the perioperative risk—A propensity score matched analysis

BackgroundBilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) are uncommonly used in the every-day practice due to safety concerns and technical challenges with Y-grafts. We hypothesized that in-situ BITA use during coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) for two vessel disease is equally safe to standard strategy with left internal thoracic artery-left anterior descending artery revascularization and venous graft to other target vessels.MethodsA propensity score matched analysis was used to compare elective on-pump CABG patients who received in-situ BITA (BITA-group), versus left internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending artery plus vein (SITA-group). Primary end points were 30-days all-cause-mortality, major adverse cardiac events and incidents and deep sternal wound infections.ResultsA total of 50 matched pairs (c-statistics 0.769) were selected from patients operated on between January 2015 and April 2020 using BITA (n = 50) and SITA (n = 2170). There were no inter-group differences in demographics and basic clinical characteristics. The total operation time was longer in the BITA-group (4.0 vs 3.6 hours; p = 0.004). The rate of complete revascularization was similar, as was median aortic cross-clamp time, median extracorporeal circulation time, rate of re-explorations for bleeding, deep sternal wound infections or length of stay. One patient died in BITA group, 3 days after surgery, from a non-cardiac cause. After 36 months, the survival rate was 98% for BITA-group and 96% for controls (log-rank, p = 0.577).ConclusionsIn-situ use of BITA during coronary revascularization for two-vessel disease is as safe and effective, as use of single ITA and vein graft. In-situ strategy abolishes allows to avoid the technically demanding composite graft configuration.

Dancing swan in left hemithorax

A 67-yrs-old, diabatic,hypertensive individual was admitted for multivessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery . Off-Pump CABG was performed using Left Internal Thoracic Artery to Left Anterior Descending Artery, left radial artery to first Obtuse Marginal branch, and reversed saphenous vein graft to Posterior Descending Artery as conduits. His total chest drainage was 430 ml. His was discharged on 8th postoperative day. He was brought to emergency treatment unit on 28th postoperative day with cough and dyspoea.On examination he was dyspnoic, oxygen saturation was 88% on room air. Point of care Transthoracic Echocardiogram demonstrated “dancing swan in left hemi thorax” . (VIDEO). The TTE which included lung ultrasonography, showed left sided heterogeneously anechoic effusion with partial thin septation &amp; floating echoes. The partially collapsed left lower lobe dances during each cardiac pulsation due to propagation of a waveform across this moderate effusion. Exudate effusions often demonstrate punctate, hyper echoic foci floating within the effusion, referred to as Plankton sign. Intercostal drain was inserted on left side and 1.8 liters of hemorrhagic fluid was drained, total chest drainage was 2.4 liters.

Robotic hybrid coronary revascularization-A need for strategy specific data.

Robotic totally endoscopic techniques to perform the left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending graft, coupled with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), provide the least invasive option to achieve hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR). Shorter hospital stays and reduced need for blood transfusions have been consistently being reported by several studies along with similar long-term outcomes. Considerable variations exist in the definition of HCR which can be single or two-staged with surgical revascularization being carried out after PCI or vice versa. Variations also exist with respect to usage of cardiopulmonary bypass, surgical incisions, and the use of minimally invasive robotic techniques. The different strategies of HCR do not lead to similar outcomes and the findings of one strategy cannot be extrapolated to the entire group. Studies reporting different strategies of HCR should ideally provide more granular data when reporting outcomes.

Abstract 9524: The Challenge of Treating a Previously Surgical Revascularized Patient With Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Coronary-Subclavian Steal Syndrome

Introduction: Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is a rare cause of myocardial ischemia after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), due to significant stenosis of the proximal portion of the left subclavian artery. It is characterized by blood flow inversion in the left internal thoracic artery, diverting the blood flow from the coronary artery to the left medio-distal subclavian artery. We report a case of a patient who underwent complex surgery to correct the CSSS. Case report: A 70-year-old male patient, with history of both percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the right coronary artery and CABG, was admitted to the emergency room with STEMI and complete atrioventricular block. He was initially managed to the cath lab where a transvenous pacemaker was implanted and coronary angiography showed occlusion of the left main, proximal right coronary and left subclavian arteries. Only saphenous vein - second marginal graft was patent and, despite severe stenosis in the proximal portion of the circumflex artery, this artery was responsible for irrigation of the entire left coronary system, as well as retrograde filling of the left internal thoracic artery - anterior descending artery graft. A conservative approach was proposed. For a better anatomically interpretation, coronary angiotomography was indicated and showed obstruction of the left subclavian artery after its origin, with 2.2cm length and refilling before the origin of the ipsilateral vertebral and internal mammary arteries. In addition, most visceral branches demonstrated severe atherosclerosis, and the right common iliac artery and left external iliac artery were occluded. After discussion with the Heart Team, it was decided to perform a left carotid-subclavian graft with a segment of the saphenous vein. The procedure was successful, with no complications and lasted 5 hours. The patient was discharged from hospital one week later. Discussion: CSSS is rare and difficult to treat. The most common treatment is angioplasty of the subclavian artery, which was not possible in this case due to the lack of femoral access and the extension of the occlusion. In this patient, with a high risk of death, the bypass surgical revascularization with saphenous graft became the only feasible treatment.

Coronary Steal After Left Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting: Demonstration and Management With Fractional Flow Reserve.

Coronary Steal After Left Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting: Demonstration and Management With Fractional Flow Reserve.

Right Internal Thoracic Artery Patency Is Affected More by Target Choice Than Conduit Configuration

BackgroundAlthough coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITA) maximizes long-term survival, knowledge of the effect of different right ITA (RITA) inflow configurations on graft patency is limited. We have compared RITA occlusion among these configurations and identified its risk factors while adjusting for outflow coronary target location. MethodsFrom January 1972 to January 2016, of 7092 patients undergoing bilateral ITA grafting at a single center, 1331 received one ITA to the left anterior descending coronary artery and had one or more evaluable postoperative coronary angiograms: 835 (63%) in situ, 496 free RITA grafts (311 [63%] originating from aorta; 98 [20%] left ITA [LITA], 76 [15%] saphenous vein graft, 11 [2%] radial graft). RITA occlusion reported on 1983 angiograms performed a median of 5.8 years later was estimated using nonlinear mixed-effects longitudinal modeling. ResultsRITA patency was 90% at 1 year, 87% at 5 years, and 86% at 10 and 15 years. At 15 years, in situ RITA patency was 91% and free RITA patency from aorta was 91%, LITA 89%, and saphenous vein graft 77%. After adjusting for coronary target location and degree of stenosis, occlusion was similar in free RITAs from aorta (P = .15), LITA (P = .4), saphenous vein grafts (P = .13), and in situ RITAs. However, RITAs grafted to the left anterior descending coronary artery had fewer occlusions (P < .001), with patency similar to LITAs. ConclusionsAmong patients with bilateral ITA grafting requiring interval coronary angiography, long-term RITA patency was high and independent of its inflow configuration. Therefore, priority should be a RITA configuration optimizing its reach to important coronary targets, including the left anterior descending coronary artery.