A decade of robotic beating-heart totally endoscopic coronary bypass (TECAB) at a single institution: Outcomes with 10-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Robotic beating-heart totally endoscopic coronary bypass (TECAB) is performed using single or bilateral internal thoracic arteries with good results. Despite slow adoption and limited industry support, we have evolved our practice and continue to routinely perform TECAB. We describe our series of 874 patients undergoing robotic beating-heart TECAB with up to 10-year follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients (n = 874) undergoing robotic beating-heart TECAB (July 2013 to April 2024) was performed. Patients were contacted for midterm follow-up, and angiographic data were collected in those undergoing hybrid revascularization. Multivariate regression analysis and Cox proportional hazard modeling were used to analyze risk factors for early/midterm outcomes. Primary end points were midterm all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events. RESULTS: Mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 1.5 ± 2.2%. In total, 470 (54%) underwent multivessel TECAB, of whom 86% received bilateral internal thoracic arteries. There was 1 intraoperative conversion (0.11%). Mean length of stay was 2.3 ± 0.8 days. Hospital mortality was 0.80% (observed/expected 0.54). A total of 393 patients (45%) underwent hybrid revascularization. Early graft patency was 97% (left internal thoracic artery-left anterior descending artery patency 98%). Midterm follow-up was 100% at mean 48 months (longest 10.6 years). Cardiac-related mortality and all-cause mortality were 2.2% and 18%, respectively. Freedom from major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events was 93%. In multivariate analysis, left-main disease ≥70% was a risk factor for midterm cardiac mortality (odds ratio, 6.7; confidence interval, 1.9-24, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: In this series of 874 patients with up to 10-year follow-up, we show that robotic TECAB can be performed with excellent early and midterm results using an iterative approach, despite significant challenges. Further industry support and wider surgeon adoption are necessary to ensure sustainability of this procedure.

Robotic Beating-Heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass: Impact of Chest Wall Dimensions in Single and Multivessel Bypass.

OBJECTIVE: There can be anatomical constraints on patient selection for minimally invasive surgery. For example, robot-assisted coronary artery bypass was reported to be more challenging when patients had a cardiothoracic ratio >50% and a sternum-vertebra anteroposterior and transverse diameter ratio <0.45. We sought to examine the impact of chest wall anatomic parameters on surgical outcomes in our totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) procedures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent robotic TECAB, all of whom had a preoperative chest radiograph at our institution from July 2017 to October 2021. The cohort was divided into 2 groups, which were patients undergoing single-vessel grafting using the left internal thoracic artery (ITA; group 1) and patients undergoing multivessel grafting with bilateral ITA grafts (group 2). We measured several anatomical parameters from the preoperative chest radiograph. RESULTS: A total of 352 patients undergoing TECAB were retrospectively analyzed. After exclusions, 193 were included in this study. In group 1 (n = 91), no parameters correlated with operative time. In group 2 (n = 102), a significant negative correlation was observed between operative time and the sternum-vertebrae anteroposterior diameter (rs = -0.228, P = 0.022) and lung anteroposterior diameter (rs = -0.246, P = 0.013). To confirm these results in group 2, a propensity-matched analysis was performed and showed a statistically significant difference in surgical time based on chest anteroposterior diameters. CONCLUSIONS: In single-vessel robotic TECAB, chest wall anatomic dimensions measured on chest radiograph did not affect operative time. In multivessel cases with bilateral ITA grafts, larger anteroposterior diameter correlated with shorter operative times.

Robotic Totally Endoscopic Off-Pump Unroofing of Myocardial Bridge: Early Experience and Midterm Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial bridging (MB) occurs when a coronary artery, commonly the left anterior descending (LAD), has an intramyocardial course. In symptomatic patients who fail medical therapy, surgical unroofing can provide symptomatic relief by improving coronary blood flow. We present a series of patients undergoing robotic totally endoscopic beating-heart MB unroofing. METHODS: There were 34 patients with an LAD-MB who failed medical therapy and underwent robotic totally endoscopic, off-pump unroofing between January 2017 and October 2023. Patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team and underwent provocative coronary angiography to confirm hemodynamic significance. We reviewed perioperative outcomes and contacted patients for midterm follow-up, including completion of a modified Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). RESULTS: The mean age was 48 ± 8 years, and 56% were female patients. One patient had prior septal myectomy via sternotomy. All patients had significant dobutamine Pd/Pa reduction on preoperative coronary angiography. One patient had atrial fibrillation and underwent concomitant ablation with left atrial appendage ligation. The mean procedure time was 140 ± 69 min. All were completed totally endoscopically off-pump without intraoperative conversions. The mean MB length was 4.5 ± 1.4 cm, and the mean depth was 1.6 ± 0.9 cm. Of the patients, 76% were extubated in the operating room. The mean intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were 0.97 ± 0.58 and 1.73 ± 1.1 days, respectively. There were no mortalities or strokes. There was 1 postoperative take-back for bleeding. At midterm follow-up (19 ± 14 months), 28 patients completed the SAQ; 86% reported "much less angina" during activity compared with before surgery, and 93% reported taking no antianginal medication since surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In appropriate patients with hemodynamically significant LAD-MB who fail medical therapy, robotic beating-heart unroofing is possible with good outcomes. Further studies are warranted.

Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in robotic beating-heart totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass: 10-year outcomes.

Background: Multi-arterial grafting (MAG) with bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITAs) is superior to single internal thoracic artery (ITA) and veins, however, sternal wound infection (SWI) is a deterrent to using BITA, especially in diabetic and obese patients. Sternal-sparing approaches, including robotic totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB), may mitigate this risk. We reviewed outcomes of robotic TECAB with BITA grafting. Methods: A total of 871 patients underwent robotic TECAB at our institution from 7/2013 to 4/2024. Of these, 406 patients received BITA grafts and are the subject of this review. Early and mid-term clinical outcomes were reviewed and angiographic patency in those undergoing hybrid revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after TECAB. All cases were performed via a beating-heart robotic approach, with standard TECAB port placement. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 67±9 years and 16% were female. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk was 1.47%±2.2%. Thirty-nine percent were diabetic (15% insulin-dependent) and 39% had a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2. Twenty percent had an ejection fraction (EF) ≤40%. Ninety-eight percent of cases were completed off-pump and there were no conversions to sternotomy. The mean number of grafts per patient was 2.2±0.4. The mean intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS) were 1.22±0.62 and 2.44±0.83 days, respectively. Postoperative complications included atrial fibrillation in 13%, acute kidney injury (AKI) in 3.4%, return to theatre for bleeding in 0.7%, postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) in 0.2%, and stroke in 0.2%. Thirty-day mortality was 1.2% [observed/expected (O/E): 0.89]. Return to full activities and work occurred at mean of 14±8.6 and 17±13 days, respectively. Two hundred and two patients (50%) had 'advanced' hybrid revascularization (with at least two arterial grafts and stents). ITA early graft patency in this cohort of patients was 271/278 (98%) with 100% left ITA to left anterior descending artery (LITA-LAD) patency. Mid-term follow-up was complete in all patients at mean of 51±36 months (longest follow-up at 10 years). All-cause mortality was 13% and cardiac-mortality was 2.5%. Freedom from angina was 96%, and freedom from repeat revascularization was 94%. Conclusions: Use of the beating-heart robotic TECAB approach facilitates BITA grafting to achieve multi-vessel arterial revascularization of the left coronary system, with excellent 10-year outcomes.

Postoperative Day 1 Discharge After Robotic Totally Endoscopic Coronary Bypass: The Ultimate in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The benefits of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are being recognized in multiple surgical specialties, including following coronary bypass surgery to improve quality of care and decrease costs. We developed a fast-track discharge protocol for patients undergoing robotic totally endoscopic coronary bypass surgery (TECAB) to be discharged on postoperative day (POD) 1, the subjects of this study. METHODS: In a retrospective study of 720 patients undergoing robotic beating-heart TECAB over 8 years at our institution, 93 patients were selected for a fast-track POD1 discharge protocol. We compared the outcomes of this group to the remaining 627 patients who were discharged per standard protocol (non-POD1 discharge). RESULTS: The early discharge group was significantly younger, had lower Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk of mortality, and had a lower prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Patients discharged on POD1 were more often extubated in the operating room (56% vs 42%, P = 0.010). The readmission rate for the early discharge group was 3.2%, which was similar to the readmission rate of 6.7% for the standard discharge protocol group (P = 0.329). Time to return to work was shorter in the early discharge group, although it did not quite reach statistical significance (12 vs 18 days, P = 0.051). There was no difference in midterm cardiac mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Early discharge on POD1 after robotic TECAB is appropriate in selected patients and is associated with low readmission rates and a trend towards earlier return to work. Patients suitable for this "ultrafast-track" approach were more likely to be younger, have lower STS risk, and fewer comorbidities.

Multi-spectrum robotic cardiac surgery: Early outcomes.

Objective: The robotic cardiac surgery program at our current institution began in 2013 with an experienced and dedicated team. This review analyzes early outcomes in the first 1103 patients. Methods: We reviewed all robotic procedures between July 2013 and February 2021. Primary outcomes were mortality and perioperative morbidity. Our robotic approach is totally endoscopic for all cases: off-pump for coronary and epicardial procedures, and on-pump with the endoballoon for mitral valve and other intracardiac procedures. Results: There were 1103 robotic-assisted cardiac surgeries over 7 years. A total of 585 (53%) were off-pump totally endoscopic coronary artery bypasses, 399 (36%) intracardiac cases (including isolated and concomitant mitral valve procedures, isolated tricuspid valve repair, CryoMaze, atrial or ventricular septal defect repair, benign cardiac tumor, septal myectomy, partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, and aortic valve replacement); 80 (7%) epicardial electrophysiology-related procedures (epicardial atrial fibrillation ablation, left atrial appendage ligation, lead placement, and ventricular tachycardia ablation); and 39 (4%) other epicardial procedures (pericardiectomy, unroofing myocardial bridge). Mortality was 1.2% (observed/expected ratio, 0.7). In the totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass and intracardiac groups, mortality was 1.0% (observed/expected, 0.6) and 1.5% (observed/expected, 0.87), respectively. There were 8 conversions to sternotomy (0.7%) and 24 (2.2%) take-backs for bleeding. Mean hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay were 2.74 ± 1.26 days and 1.28 ± 0.57 days, respectively. Conclusions: This experience demonstrates that a robotic endoscopic approach can safely be used in a multitude of cardiac surgical procedures both on- and off-pump with excellent early outcomes. An experienced surgeon and team are necessary. Longer-term follow-up is warranted.

Robotic off-pump totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass in the current era: report of 544 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Robotic off-pump totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) is the least invasive form of surgical coronary revascularization. It has proved to be highly effective and safe. Its benefits are well-established and include fewer complications, shorter hospital stay and quicker return to normal activities. TECAB has undergone 2 decades of technological advancement to include multivessel grafting, a beating-heart approach and successful completion in multiple patient groups in experienced hands. The aim of this report was to examine outcomes of robotic off-pump TECAB at our institution over 7 years. METHODS: Data from 544 patients undergoing TECAB between July 2013 and August 2020 were retrospectively examined. The C-Port Flex-A distal anastomotic device was used for the majority of grafts (70%). Yearly follow-up was conducted. Angiographic early patency data were reviewed for patients undergoing hybrid revascularization. RESULTS: The mean age was 66 years, with 1.7% mean STS risk. Fifty-six percentage had multivessel TECAB. There was 1 conversion to sternotomy, and 46% extubation in the Operating Room (OR). Mortality was 0.9%. Early graft patency was 97%. At mid-term follow-up at 38 months, cardiac mortality was 2.7% and freedom from major adverse cardiac events was 92.5%. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that robotic beating-heart TECAB in the current era is safe and effective with excellent outcomes and comparable early angiographic patency to standard coronary artery bypass grafting surgery when performed frequently by an experienced team. This procedure was completed in our hands both with and without an anastomotic device. Longer-term studies are warranted.