Off-pump anteroapical aneurysm plication following left ventricular postinfarction aneurysm: effect on cardiac function, clinical status and survival.

BACKGROUND: In patients with coronary disease and aneurysm, ventricular reconstruction with revascularization is a surgical option. Details of patient selection and optimal surgical technique are still debated. We report our results with off-pump aneurysm plication after ventricular aneurysm with relative wall thinning. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 248 patients who had an operation for postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm. Reconstruction was accomplished by off-pump anteroapical aneurysm plication. The following variables were recorded: preoperative clinical, angiographic and echocardiographic findings and operative procedures. Outcomes were early mortality, long-term survival and poor 5-year result, defined as the need for transplantation or repeated hospitalization for congestive heart failure. Risk factors were pinpointed using the t test and survival curves. Independent risk factors were identified using Cox regression methods. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was low (2.0%). Mean follow-up was 5.8 (standard deviation [SD] 3.8) years. Actuarial survival at 1 and 5 years was 94% and 84%. Among the 232 survivors, 200 were in functional class I or II, and the average increase in ejection fraction was 14.0% (SD 3.1%). As determined by multivariable analysis, factors predicting poor outcome were advanced age, ejection fraction less than 0.35, conicity index less than 1, end-systolic volume index greater than 80 mL/m2, advanced New York Heart Association functional class and congestive heart failure. CONCLUSION: Using wall thinning as a criterion for patient selection, the technique of off-pump anteroapical aneurysm plication can be performed with low operative mortality and provides good symptomatic relief and long-term survival.

New Proximal Anastomosis Technique for Calcified Ascending Aorta in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

To deal with calcified ascending aorta during coronary artery bypass grafting, we describe an alternative technique to create a clampless proximal anastomosis using a Foley catheter and polypropylene suture. In 30 patients, the number of distal anastomoses averaged 3.1 ± 0.7, and mean time of proximal anastomosis was 18.9 ± 1.3 minutes. Neither early nor late death occurred. Stroke occurred in 2 high-risk patients. At mean 1.6 ± 0.5 years of follow-up, 1 patient sustained recurrent angina, and graft patency was 93%. These favorable outcomes show that this alternative technique is a safe and effective approach to calcified ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass grafting.

[Myocardial revascularization of patients with diffuse coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (off-pump CABG) after off-pump coronary endarterectomy (CE) for myocardial revascularization is a way to rescue the patients with diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). This study retrospectively analyzed its clinical outcomes and experiences, and explored the safety and effectiveness. METHODS: From October 2003 to December 2008, 177 diffuse CAD patients with 229 vascular lesions received off-pump CABG plus CE. Incision was made at the hardest part of coronary artery and ≥ 2 cm from the distal intervention site. Then bypass graft was performed by internal mammary artery or saphenous vein. RESULTS: The intra-operative blood tests showed that 215 (93.9%) bridges were satisfied with (27 ± 12) ml/min blood flow while 14 bridges were dissatisfied. The blood flow was (7 ± 4) ml/min. Six (3.4%) cases suffered peri-operative myocardial infarction. Among them, 3 patients had no significant cardiac hemodynamic changes. Three suffered a low cardiac output and improved by intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation support. And they were then discharged after treatment. After 3 - 40 months, 98 patients underwent coronary angiography to measure the graft latency. And the blood flow was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump CABG plus CE for diffuse coronary artery disease is both feasible and safe. And it is an effective treatment with a high degree of vascularization.

[Impact of overweight on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary revascularization].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of BMI on clinical outcome in patients with heart failure underwent coronary revascularization. METHODS: The DESIRE-plus (Drug-Eluting Stent Impact on Revascularization-plus) was a single-center registry of coronary revascularization in our institution between July 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005. We analyzed heart failure patients with the complete data of body mass index (BMI) data from the DESIRE-plus trial and grouped them by BMI (normal BMI group, BMI < 24; overweight group, BMI 24-27.9; obesity group, BMI > or = 28). Total mortality, cardiac mortality and MACCE including death, neo-myocardial infarction, stroke, re-revascularization were recorded. We evaluated risk estimates for three bodyweight groups. RESULTS: 1010 patients were included in the study (295 in normal BMI group; 495 in overweight group and 220 obesity group). Median follow-up was 542 days. Overweight and obese patients were younger (59.3 +/- 10.14 years, 58.6 +/- 10.30 years vs 62.6 +/- 9.93 years, P < 0.01) and had a significantly higher incidence of hypertension (61.2, 66.8% vs 52.5%, P = 0.017), stable angina pectoris (21.2%, 23.7% vs 17.0%, P = 0.05) and higher triglyceride [(1.90 +/- 1.05) mmol/L, (2.10 +/- 1.12) mmol/L vs (1.48 +/- 0.92) mmol/L, P < 0.01)], fasting blood glucose level [(6.07 +/- 2.09) mmol/L, (5.96 +/- 1.53) mmol/L vs (5.67 +/- 1.92) mmol/L, P = 0.021), blood creatinine (84.9 +/- 21.7) micromol/L, (90.2 +/- 30.9) micromol/L vs (82.2 +/- 25.8) micromol/L, P = 0.002] compared with normal BMI patients. Multivariate Cox regression model showed obese patients had an decreased hazard risk (HR) for total mortality (0.285, 95%CI 0.104 - 0.777) and MACCE (0.596, 95%CI 0.401 - 0.885) compared with those for patients with normal BMI, overweight patients had no increased risk for total mortality (HR 0.769, 95%CI 0.442 - 1.338) and MACCE (0.998, 95%CI 0.754 - 1.322), there was hardly any significantly difference in cardiac mortality between three groups (P = 0.223). CONCLUSION: There were more risk factors in heart failure patients with coronary heart disease complicated with obesity or overweight, but the prognosis after revascularization of them is at least no worse than the normal weight coronary heart disease patients.

[Evaluation of the early and medium-term curative effect of water sac blocking used in the proximal anastomosis during off-pump coronary artery bypass].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early and medium-term curative effect of water sac blocking used in the proximal anastomosis during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) in the patients with serious calcified ascending aorta. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with serious calcified ascending aorta who underwent OPCAB were enrolled in this study from January 2005 to May 2009 as experimental group in which the water sac blocking was used in the proximal anastomosis during OPCAB. There were 23 male and 8 female patients with the age of (69±8) years. Sixty-three patients without calcified ascending aorta who underwent OPCAB at the corresponding period were selected randomly as control group in which lateral-mural clamp on ascending aorta was used in the proximal anastomosis during OPCAB. There were 39 male and 24 female patients with the age of (60±9) years. Preoperative and postoperative heart functional indexes were compared in 3 months and the short and the mid-term outcomes were followed up. RESULTS: No deaths happened in the two groups. Postoperative incidence rate of cerebral stroke in control group was relatively higher than experimental group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). All the patients had no symptoms 3 months after operation. Heart function and ejection fraction were increased significantly (P<0.05), meanwhile left ventricular end-diastolic diameter were decreased notably (P<0.05). The follow-up rate was 91.5% and the survival rate was 96.0% and left ventricular function decreased slightly (P<0.05) up to the end of November 2009. Seven patients more than two years after operation received coronary angiography which showed proximal anastomotic stoma was patent. CONCLUSION: For patients with serious calcified ascending aorta, the short and medium-term result of water sac blocking used in proximal anastomosis was simple, effective and safe.

[Clinical outcome of mitral valve repair in primary infective endocarditis with mitral insufficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical results of mitral valve repair in patients of primary infective endocarditis with mitral insufficiency. METHODS: From January 2004 to July 2007, 40 patients who had undergone valve repair procedure for infective endocarditis with mitral insufficiency were analyzed retrospectively. There were 26 male and 14 female patients, with an average age of (34.0 +/- 3.5) years old, including 6 patients of underlying heart disease, 34 patients of no previously underlying heart disease. There were 12 patients in NYHA functional class II, 19 patients in class III, 9 patients in class IV preoperatively. Preoperative echocardiography showed moderate to severe MR in all patients. The surgery was performed under extracorporeal circulation and moderate hypothermia. The distribution of anatomical lesion according to surgical findings were vegetation in 32 patients, leaflet prolapsed in 34 patients, leaflet perforation in 16 patients, chordal rupture in 32 patients, and annular abscess in 2 patients. The vegetations and infected tissues were debrided. The surgery consisted of complex methods to repair mitral valve, including direction leaflet closure in 5 patients, pericardial patch closure of leaflet perforation in 18 patients, chords reimplantation in 4 patients and chords transference in 6 patients, quadrangular resection in 12 patients, double orifice method in 17, closure of the commissure in 8, rings annuloplasty in 28 cases, and so on. There were 28 selective surgeries and 12 emergent ones. Patients were evaluated for early and long-term clinic and echocardiographic outcome before and after operation. RESULTS: There were no early postoperative death. Mitral valve repair was feasible in 39 patients, one patient was transformed to mitral valve replacement during the operation. Postoperative echocardiography demonstrated no (n = 24) or mild (n = 15) mitral regurgitation at the discharge examination and observed significant reductions in left ventricular end diastolic [from (62 +/- 7) mm to (51 +/- 6) mm, P < 0.05] and end systolic dimensions [from (45 +/- 3) mm to (40 +/- 4) mm, P < 0.05] and left atrial dimensions [from (49 +/- 4) mm to (42 +/- 6) mm, P < 0.05]. Mean follow-up (25.6 +/- 3.2) months, freedom from recurrent moderate to severe MR, freedom from repeat operation or infective endocarditis, revealed patients were 36 cases in NYHY class I, 3 cases in class II. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve repair for mitral valve endocarditis is feasible with a satisfied clinical outcome, maintains valve competency with significant reductions in left atrial and left ventricular dimensions after surgery.

[The early and middle-long term clinical results of surgical treatment for ventricular septal rupture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the way of promoting the efficacy of surgical treatment for ventricular septal rupture (VSR) after acute myocardium infarction in terms of perioperative and long term survival. METHODS: The clinic data of 37 VSR cases underwent surgical treatment from October 1994 to October 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 24 male and 13 female, and the age was (63.4 +/- 7.6) years old. The whole group was divided into the VSR repair plus revascularization group (group A, 26 cases) and simple VSR repair group (group B, 11 cases). RESULTS: There were 4 operative deaths in group A (15.4%), 7 deaths in group B (63.6%), P = 0.006. With the follow-up of (34.0 +/- 29.8) months ranged from 2 to 103 months of the 26 operational survivors, there were 5 late deaths, of which 2 deaths in group A and 3 deaths in group B. According to the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, the actuarial survival rate at 6 to 8 year was (64.3 +/- 21.0)% for group A and the actuarial survival rate at 4 year was (25.0 +/- 21.7)% for group B, P = 0.011. Of the 21 mid-long term survivors, 17 cases were in NYHA class I to II and 4 cases in NYHA class III to IV. There were 4 cases suffered from VSR recurrence. According to Logistic regression, the risk factors for the early death were not adoptive of revascularization, cardiogenic shock and emergency surgical procedure, while the risk factors for late death were not adoptive of revascularization and low cardiac output after the procedures. CONCLUSIONS: VSR repair plus revascularization could improve the perioperative and mid-long term survival for the surgical treatment of VSR. The appropriate timing and procedures of the surgical operation are very important to promote perioperative survival and to prevent VSR recurrence.

[A study of neurological complications after coronary artery bypass grafting].

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate the neurological complications (NC) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG), including the kinds of NC and their mobility, risk factors, prevention and treatment. METHODS: A total of 55 consecutive patients with undergoing OPCABG were evaluated from March to June 2006 at the Department of Cardiosurgery in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. Risk factors of NC were collected before operation. Nervous system physical examination, the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score evaluation, cognitive tests, imaging examination (MRI, MRA and f-MRI), anxious and depression scale were performed before and after OPCABG. NC and their kinds were identified after surgery. According to the presence or absence of NC after the operation, the patients were divided into two groups, and univariate analysis was used between the two groups. P < 0.05 was considered of statistically significant difference. RESULTS: (1) 2 cases of ischemic stroke developed after surgery (2/55), but there no case of mortality. The risk factors were not statistically different between the two groups (P > 0.05); (2) For all the patients, cognitive evaluation was normal and unchanged before and after surgery (P > 0.05), including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical dementia rating (CDR) and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS); (3) Except the 2 cases of stroke, the others were normal and had no change on MRI, MRA, and f-MRI (P > 0.05) before and after surgery; (4) 7 patients with slight anxiety and one with slight depression before operation recovered completely after surgery without treatment. Both the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were normal and unchanged before and after surgery (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 2 cases of ischemic stroke were found among 55 patients undergoing OPCABG (2/55) and there was no mortality. There was no obvious change of cognitive function, imaging finding, anxiety and depression before and after the operation (P > 0.05). OPCABG is relatively safe for nervous system, but more exploratory work and clinical data are needed.

[Impact of chronic anemia on in-hospital clinical outcome of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in-hospital clinical outcome of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease with chronic anemia. METHODS: Between July 2002 and June 2004, 3 679 patients in Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Sciences were subjected to revascularization [percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)] during hospitalization. These patients were divided into anemia group and non-anemia group according to blood hemoglobin (Hb) level [World Health Organization (WHO) standard (male<120 g/L, female<110 g/L) as anemia]. Rates of in-hospital main adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE), including all-cause death, new attack of myocardial infarction, stroke and repeated revascularization were compared between two groups. RESULTS: There were 426 anemia patients (11.6%) and 3 253 non-anemia patients (88.4%). In-hospital death in the anemia group was higher than that of the non-anemia group [10 cases (2.4%) vs. 64 cases (1.9%), P<0.05]. Rates of MACCE of the anemia group was higher than that of the non-anemia group (4.2% vs. 3.2%, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in rates of new attack of myocardial infarction (0.7% vs. 0.6%), stroke (1.2% vs. 0.4%) and repeated revascularization (0 vs. 0.2%) between two groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with non-anemia patients, anemia patients with coronary artery disease has higher in-hospital MACCE rate and all-cause mortality.

[Risk factors related to mortality in old patients with coronary heart disease after revascularization].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors related to mortality in old patients with coronary heart disease after revascularization. METHODS: A total of 675 patients (498 males) with age >or= 70 years old who received revascularization during July 2003 to June 2004 and followed up > 30 days after discharge were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, death and major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) during follow up were recorded. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for a mean period of (754 +/- 355) days. 27 patients (4.0%) died and MACCE developed in 50 patients (7.4%) during follow up. Female and patients with anemia took a significantly higher risk of mortality (RR = 2.750, 95% CI 1.116 - 6.779, P = 0.028, RR = 0.385 95% CI 0.164 - 0.904, P = 0.028, respectively); Creatinine level is positively related to mortality rate. When comparing patients with Cr > 115 micromol/L and Cr > 177 micromol/L with patients with Cr < 115 micromol/L, the hazard rate was 2.963 and 10.785, respectively (95% CI 1.114 - 9.952, P = 0.035 and 95% CI 2.659 - 78.097, P = 0.000) after adjustment for other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Preexisting anaemia (male Hb < 120 g/L, female Hb < 110 g/L), renal insufficiency (Cr > 115 micromol/L) and female gender were found to be independent risk factors for mortality in old patients with coronary heart disease post revascularization.

Long-term outcomes of PCI vs. CABG for ostial/midshaft lesions in unprotected left main coronary artery.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on long-term (> 5 years) outcomes of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for ostial/midshaft left main coronary artery (LMCA) lesions. METHODS: Of the 259 consecutive patients in Beijing Anzhen Hospital with ostial/midshaft LMCA lesions, 149 were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES and 110 were with CABG. The endpoints of the study were death, repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, the composite of cardiac death, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE, the composite of cardiac death, MI, stroke or repeat revascularization).The duration of follow-up is 7.1 years (interquartile range 5.3 to 8.2 years). RESULTS: There is no significant difference between the PCI and CABG group during the median follow-up of 7.1 years (interquartile range: 5.3-8.2 years) in the occurrence of death (HR: 0.727, 95% CI: 0.335-1.578; P = 0.421), the composite endpoint of cardiac death, MI or stroke (HR: 0.730, 95% CI: 0.375-1.421; P = 0.354), MACCE (HR: 1.066, 95% CI: 0.648-1.753; P = 0.801), MI (HR: 1.112, 95% CI: 0.414-2.987; P = 0.833), stroke (HR: 1.875, 95% CI: 0.528-6.659; P = 0.331), and repeat revascularization (HR: 1.590, 95% CI: 0.800-3.161; P = 0.186). These results remained after multivariable adjusting. CONCLUSION: During a follow-up up to 8.2 years, we found that DES implantation had similar endpoint outcomes compared with CABG.

[Profile of risk factors modification after coronary revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the profile of risk factors modification after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with coronary artery disease in order to scale the gap between real world practice and evidence-based guidelines. METHODS: 3767 patients with at least 30 days' followed-up after discharge in the single-center DESIRE (Drug-Eluting Stent Impact on REvascularization) registry were enrolled to compare in-hospital and follow-up data including smoking, body weight, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and lipid levels. RESULTS: Of the 3763 patients, 3017 (80.2%) were successfully followed up for at least one month with a median of 670 (35 - 1930) days. During follow-up, 18.5% (170/917) of the in-hospital current smokers continued smoking, whereas 6.1% (71/1168) of the non-current smokers during hospitalization became cigarette addict despite a marked reduction in the general rate of current smoking (43.5% vs 9.5%, P < 0.0001). At follow-up, 24.3% (264/1087) of the overweight or obese patients experienced weight gain after revascularization. In patients with diabetes mellitus, 48.3% (143/296) had higher follow-up levels of average fasting blood sugar. In patients complicated with hypertension, 33.1% (469/1419) and 31.9% (453/1419) had higher average systolic or diastolic pressures than in-hospital measurements. During follow-up, 36.4% (111/184) had lower levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), whereas 54.1% (98/181) and 56.8% (121/213) patients had higher levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerlin (TG). CONCLUSION: Risk factors modification after coronary revascularization is far beyond optimal, with a high rate of continued smoking and poor control of body weight, blood sugar, blood pressure and serum lipids. Prompt and effective measures should be taken to enhance the secondary prevention and patient education to minimize the gap between clinical practice and evidence-based guidelines.

[Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with only bilateral internal mammary artery composite Lima-Rima Y graft].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the early and late benefits (the patency and total myocardium revascularization) of coronary artery bypass grafting, stimulate us using only bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) composite Lima (left internal mammary artery)-Rima (right internal mammary artery) Y graft with off-pump, here is the early evaluation. METHODS: From October 2002 to December 2005, 125 patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with the only composite grafts. The bilateral semi-skeletonization internal mammary artery pedicles composed the Y graft, the free Rima was anastomosed to the in situ Lima. The operation was performed off-pump and sequential anastomosis. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirteen grafts for 125 patients, average number of grafts per patient was 3.3. Graft flow was measured with Transit time flowmeter during operation time. All grafts were patent during operation. There was no death perioperative period. CONCLUSION: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with only bilateral internal mammary artery composite Lima-Rima Y graft is secure and feasible. The technique could achieve total arterial myocardium revascularization and avoiding any procedure on the ascending aorta.

[Comparative analysis of the risk factor on the clinical information of myocardial revascularization combined with concomitant valve operations].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinic information of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with concomitant valve operation. METHODS: Retrospectively analyze the information of morbidity and mortality of 126 cases patients who underwent combined valve and bypass procedures between December 2000 and January 2005. These patients had been divided into 2 groups according to sex. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the clinic characteristic such as weight and diabetes mellitus and mitral valve stenosis and three disease vessels of coronary artery between 2 groups (P < 0.05). The rate of the number of bypass grafts and morbidity and mortality of complication were significant differences (P < 0.05). The number of mitral valve replacement of female was more than that of male (P < 0.05). Five males died after operation, 1 case of heart failure, 1 case of high blood sugar, 2 cases of arrhythmia, 2 cases of organs failure; Seven females died after operation, one case of heart failure, one case of alimentary tract haemorrhage, three cases of arrhythmia, two cases of organs failure. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with concomitant valve operation is safe and effective. The rate of morbidity and mortality of complication of female is more than that of male. The study demonstrates that female gender is an independent risk factor for combined morbidity and mortality during and after combined valve and coronary bypass surgery. That is related to low weight and mitral valve stenosis of female.

Intramyocardial dissection with concomitant left ventricular aneurysm as a rare complication of myocardial infarction: a case report.

We describe a rare case of a 60-year-old woman suffering from intramyocardial dissection and left ventricular aneurysm secondary to acute myocardial infarction. A rare form of ventricular septal rupture resulted from intramyocardial dissection deterioration, which was identified during echocardiographic follow-up. Surgical repair under beating-heart cardiopulmonary bypass was successful.

Very Long-term Outcomes and Predictors of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Drug-eluting Stents Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Patients with Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on longer-term outcomes (>5 years) for patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the drug-eluting stents (DES) era. This study aimed at comparing the long-term (>5 years) outcomes of patients with ULMCA disease underwent PCI with DES and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the predictors of adverse events. METHODS: All consecutive patients with ULMCA disease treated with DES implantation versus CABG in our center, between January 2003 and July 2009, were screened for analyzing. A propensity score analysis was carried out to adjust for potential confounding between the two groups. RESULTS: Nine hundred and twenty-two patients with ULMCA disease were enrolled for the analyses (DES = 465 vs. CABG = 457). During the median follow-up of 7.1 years (interquartile range 5.3-8.2 years), no difference was found between PCI and CABG in the occurrence of death (P = 0.282) and the composite endpoint of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke (P = 0.294). Rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were significantly higher in the PCI group (P = 0.014) in large part because of the significantly higher rate of repeat revascularization (P < 0.001). PCI was correlated with the lower occurrence of stroke (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed ejection fraction (EF) (P = 0.012), creatinine (P = 0.016), and prior stroke (P = 0.031) were independent predictors of the composite endpoint of cardiac death, MI, and stroke in the DES group, while age (P = 0.026) and EF (P = 0.002) were independent predictors in the CABG group. CONCLUSIONS: During a median follow-up of 7.1 years, there was no difference in the rate of death between PCI with DES implantation and CABG in ULMCA lesions in the patient cohort. CABG group was observed to have significantly lower rates of repeat revascularization but higher stroke rates compared with PCI. EF, creatinine, and prior stroke were independent predictors of the composite endpoint of cardiac death, MI, and stroke in the DES group, while age and EF were independent predictors in the CABG group.

Repair of left ventricular aneurysm during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction can result in left ventricular aneurysm, which may in turn cause congestive heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia and thromboembolic events. This study evaluates results achieved with a modified linear closure of left ventricular aneurysms during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: From January 2001 to May 2004, 75 patients were operated on for nonruptured, postinfarctional, left ventricular aneurysm during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Repair was completed on the beating heart to minimize ischaemia and allow assessment of wall function and viability to guide closure. All patients presented with symptoms of angina and congestive heart failure or ventricular arrhythmia. The majority (75%) of the patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV. Preoperative ejection fraction was 26% +/- 9%. The mean left ventricular, end diastolic diameter was (57.5 +/- 7.1) mm. The ventricular preoperative and postoperative performances were compared. chi2 test and Student's t test were used to analyse the outcomes. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 1.3% (1/75). Coronary artery bypass was performed with an average of (3.3 +/- 1.2) grafts per patient. At the time of followup, all the patients had no symptoms. The mean NYHA class and ejection fraction increased significantly (P < 0.001). The mean left ventricular, end diastolic diameter decreased significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical closure of left ventricular aneurysm can be performed during off-pump coronary artery bypass. The operation is associated with a low inhospital mortality and morbidity. A postoperative improvement in the early term cardiac functions and symptoms and quality of life was documented, increasing our expectations of an increased long-term survival.

[Surgical management of ischemic mitral regurgitation].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in surgical technique and clinical results of treating ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). METHODS: From April 1998 to September 2004 fifty-three IMR patients, 8 with mild-moderate IMR, 24 with moderate IMR, and 21 with severe IMR, underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with mitral valvuloplasty (MVP, n = 33) or mitral valve replacement (MVR, n = 20). The procedures of MVP included commissural annuloplasty in 14 cases, posterior ring annuloplasty in 18, and "double-orifice" technique in 1 case. In the cases undergoing MVR, mechanical valves were implanted in 18 patients and biological prosthesis was used in 2. Forty-two patients were followed up by outpatient department visit, telephone, or letter communication for 29 months. RESULTS: The total operative mortality was 15.09% (8/53) with the causes of death of heart failure in 4 cases, arrhythmia in 2 and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in 2. Two cases of late death were recorded. Thirty-seven survivors showed the NYHA functional class I-II, and 3 survivors showed the class III. Ultrasonic cardiography showed no or only trace mitral regurgitation (MR) in 17 cases undergoing MVP, mild MR in 6, and moderate MR in 3, all with the left ventricle size decreased significantly. There was 1 case of perivalvular leak in the MVR group. Statistical analysis showed that preoperative left ventricle ejection fraction and cardiac function were independent risk factors of operation, but operation protocol was not. CONCLUSION: While performing CABG, moderate to severe IMR with pathological changes of mitral valve must be corrected by revascularization and mitral correction. The choice of protocol depends on the mitral pathology and experience of the surgeon. MVP and MVR have the similar effect on IMR.

A pilot study of systolic dyssynchrony index by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography predicting clinical outcomes to surgical ventricular reconstruction in patients with left ventricular aneurysm.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to detect whether the systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) assessed by real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) could predict clinical outcomes of patients with ventricular aneurysm in response to surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR). METHODS: In total, 120 individuals underwent RT3DE, including 30 healthy volunteers and 90 patients with ventricular aneurysm. All patients underwent clinical and echocardiographic assessments at baseline and at 12 months after SVR. The SDI was defined as the SD of time to minimum systolic volume of the 16 left ventricular (LV) segments, expressed in percent RR duration. SVR responder was defined as a >15% decrease in LV end-systolic volume, reduction in NYHA functional class or 20% relative increase in the LV ejection fraction (LVEF). RESULTS: The SDI was significantly higher in patients with aneurysm, at 14.3% compared with 2.0% in healthy volunteers (P <0.047). The SDI was negatively correlated with the LVEF. After SVR, 86 patients were responders. In this patient subgroup, the SDI exhibited an immediate significant decrease (to 7.7%; P <0.034) and a progressive decrease during 12 months of follow-up (to 4.9%; P <0.044). The SDI can discriminate SVR responders. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis yielded cut-off values of SDI 14.3% best associated with SVR response; area under the curve was 0.79 with reduction in NYHA class, 0.86 with increase in EF and 0.66 with decrease in the end-systolic volume. CONCLUSIONS: RT3DE can be used to assess LV mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with aneurysm. SVR produces a mechanical intraventricular resynchronization and SDI can predict improvement following SVR.

Epicardial unipolar radiofrequency ablation for left ventricular aneurysm related ventricular arrhythmia.

We report a case of a 62-year-old Chinese man with typical triple-vessel lesions and apical left ventricular aneurysm accompanied with ventricular tachycardia. Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting was performed in combination with epicardial unipolar radiofrequency ablation and linear closure of left ventricular aneurysm. The patient recovered well without postoperative complications. Holter monitoring showed no recurrence of the ventricular arrhythmia and the attack frequency of arrhythmia decreased significantly. The patient has been angina-free for 25 months since the operation and shows increasing exercise tolerance. Thus, left ventricular aneurysm plication combined with epicardial unipolar radiofrequency ablation during OPCAB may be beneficial for patients with ventricular aneurysm and preoperative malignant ventricular arrhythmia.