Long-Term Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using an Internal Thoracic Artery versus a Radial Artery as a Second Arterial Graft.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of left circumflex artery (LCx) revascularization using an internal thoracic artery (ITA) or radial artery (RA) as the second arterial graft. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with left anterior descending artery revascularization using an ITA and LCx revascularization using another bilateral ITA (BITA group) or an RA (ITA-RA group) were included. All-cause mortality (primary endpoint), cardiac death, major adverse cardiac events, in-hospital death, and deep sternal wound infection (secondary endpoints) were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 790 patients (BITA, n = 548 (69%); ITA-RA, n = 242 (31%)), no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the groups was observed (hazard ratio (HR): 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67-1.12; p = 0.27) during follow-up (mean, 10 years). Multivariate analysis revealed that the BITA group exhibited significantly lower rates of long-term all-cause mortality (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.48-0.84; p = 0.01). In the propensity-matched cohort (n = 480, 240 pairs), significantly fewer all-cause deaths occurred in the BITA group (HR: 0.66; 95% CI 0.47-0.93; p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: When used as second grafts for LCx revascularization, ITA grafts may surpass RA grafts in reducing all-cause mortality 10 years postoperatively.

Performance of left internal thoracic artery-left anterior descending artery anastomosis by residents versus attendings and coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Performance of a technically sound left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery (LITA-LAD) anastomosis during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is critically important. We used prospectively collected data from the multicentre, randomized REGROUP (Randomized Endograft Vein Perspective) trial to investigate CABG outcomes based on whether a resident or an attending surgeon performed the LITA-LAD anastomosis. METHODS: This was a post hoc subanalysis of the REGROUP trial, which randomized veterans undergoing isolated on-pump CABG to endoscopic versus open vein harvest from 2014 through 2017. The primary end point was major cardiac adverse events, defined as the composite of all-cause deaths, nonfatal myocardial infarctions or repeat revascularizations. RESULTS: Among 1,084 patients, 344 (31.8%) LITA-LAD anastomoses were performed by residents and 740 (68.2%), by attending surgeons. Residents (compared to attendings) operated on fewer patients with high tercile SYNTAX scores (22.1% vs 37.4%, P < 0.001), performed fewer multiarterial CABGs (5.2% vs 14.6%, P < 0.001) and performed more anastomoses to distal targets with diameters > 2.0 mm (19.0% vs 10.9%, P < 0.001) and non-calcified landing zones (25.1% vs 21.6%, P < 0.001). During a median observation time of 4.7 years (interquartile range 3.84-5.45), major cardiac adverse events occurred in 77 patients (22.4%) in the group treated by residents and 169 patients (22.8%) in the group treated by attendings (unadjusted HR 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-1.33; P = 0.99). Outcomes persisted on adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this REGROUP trial subanalysis, under careful supervision and with appropriate patient selection, LITA-LAD anastomoses performed by the residents yielded clinical outcomes similar to those of the attendings.

Transient time flow measurement in arterial grafts.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the foundations of treatment for coronary artery disease. While it has improved substantially since its inception more than 50 years ago, including a rising use of multiple arterial grafting, intraoperative quality assessment is yet to be disseminated as an integral part of the procedure. Herein we review the fundamentals of intraoperative quality assessment in CABG using transient time flow measurement (TTFM) with a focus on its use in arterial grafting.

Microsurgical reconstruction using thoracoacromial vessels as recipients for complicated chest wall defects.

BACKGROUND: Free tissue transfer is often required for the reconstruction of complex and deep anterior chest wall wounds, for which the identification of suitable recipient vessels is crucial. Although the internal mammary arteries (IMAs) are a representative option, identifying secondary options when these vessels are compromised remains a challenge. This report evaluated the efficacy of using the thoracoacromial vessels (TAVs) as recipients for chest wall reconstruction by reviewing our experience. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients undergoing free-flap-based chest wall reconstruction using TAVs as recipient vessels from February 2020 to March 2023. Patient demographics and surgery-related characteristics data were collected. The primary outcome of interest was the occurrence of flap perfusion-related complications. RESULTS: In total, 12 cases utilized TAVs as recipients, primarily for defects following sternotomy, where bilateral IMA was unavailable due to prior surgery. The TAVs with reliable perfusion were consistently identified beneath the pectoralis major muscle. The anterolateral thigh flap was predominantly employed, with musculocutaneous or chimeric flaps introduced for bony defects. The mean pedicle length of the harvested flap was 7.2 cm (range, 3-13), and in cases with a vascular gap, the pedicle was extended using an arteriovenous interposition graft. This resulted in a mean pedicle length needed to reach recipient vessels of 9.9 cm (range, 6.5-19). All flaps survived, with only one experiencing partial necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The TAV could be considered as an attractive alternative recipient vessel in microsurgical reconstruction of complicated chest wall defects when the use of IMA is not feasible.

Effect of right internal mammary artery versus radial artery as a second graft vessel in coronary artery bypass grafting on postoperative wound infection in patients: A meta-analysis.

Few studies have shown that radial artery (RA), which is used as a secondary arterial graft, offers superior results compared with right internal thoracic artery (RIMA) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In a meta-analysis of observational studies starting in 2023, we looked at the effect of re-operation on postoperative infection and haemorrhage in CABG with RA vs. RIMA. The electronic database up to October 2023 was examined in the course of the research. Analysis was carried out on the clinical trials of postoperative wound infections and haemorrhage re-surgery. Among 912 trials associated with CABG, we selected 8 trials to be included in the final data analysis. The main results were secondary wound infection and re-operation after surgery. The odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CIs) were computed on the basis of a randomized or fixed-effect model of wound infection and re-operation. Seven trials showed a significant reduction in the risk of wound infection in RA treated as a secondary artery transplant compared with RIMA (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.03, 2.47 p = 0.04); Four trials showed that RIMA was not significantly different from RA in the rate of re-operation for postoperative bleeding (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.60, 2.88 p = 0.50). In CABG, RA is used as a secondary arterial conduit graft to lower the risk of wound infection in CABG patients.

Saphenous vein to the right coronary system from the right thoracic artery or the aorta. Long-term propensity-matched results of 2 groups.

OBJECTIVES: Since 2000, we anastomosed the saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery system using the stump of the right internal thoracic artery as inflow. The long-term results of patients where the right coronary artery was grafted with the right internal thoracic artery or the ascending aorta as saphenous vein inflow has not been reported. METHODS: From 2000 to 2018, 699 consecutive patients had right internal thoracic artery elongated with saphenous vein (I-graft group, n = 358, 51.2%) or saphenous vein from the aorta (Ao-graft group, n = 341, 48.8%) on right coronary artery system. Inclusion criteria were age ≤75 years, bilateral internal thoracic arteries as a Y graft on the left system (three-vessel disease, n = 603, 86.3%) or as a left internal thoracic artery on left anterior descending and right internal thoracic artery elongated with saphenous vein on the right coronary artery system (two-vessel disease, n = 96, 13.7%), only 1 saphenous vein per patient. Propensity-matching identified 272 patients per group. One-hundred and twenty-two patients underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography to asses grafts patency after a median follow-up of 88 (65-93) months. RESULTS: In the paired samples, there was no difference in the early outcome. Ten-year survival and freedom from death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization were higher in I-graft group: 90.6 [standard error (SE): 2.0] vs 78.2 (SE: 5.3), P = 0.0266, and 85.2 (SE: 2.4) vs 69.9 (SE: 5.3), P = 0.0179. Saphenous vein graft, at a long-time follow-up, showed a higher patency rate (81.6% (SE: 7.0) vs 50.7% (SE: 7.9), P < 0.0001) and a smaller internal lumen diameter (2.7, standard deviation: 0.4 vs 3.4, standard deviation: 0.6 mm, P < 0.0001) when right internal thoracic artery was the inflow. CONCLUSIONS: Grafting the right coronary artery with saphenous vein may entail higher patency rate and better outcome when the inflow is the right internal thoracic artery than when is the ascending aorta. Prospective randomized data are needed to test this hypothesis.

Single versus bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in patients with impaired renal function.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal strategy for surgical revascularization in patients with impaired renal function is inconclusive. We compared early and late outcomes between bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) and single ITA (SITA) grafting in patients with renal dysfunction. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of all the patients with multivessel disease and impaired renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60mL/min/1.73m2) who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in our center during 1996-2011, utilizing either BITA or SITA revascularization. RESULTS: Of the 5301 patients with multivessel disease who underwent surgical revascularization during the study period, 391 were with impaired renal function: 212 (54.2%) underwent BITA, 179 (45.8%) underwent SITA. Patients who underwent BITA were less likely to have comorbidities. Statistically significant differences were not observed between the BITA and SITA groups in 30-day mortality (5.6% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.2) and in rates of early stroke, myocardial infarction, and sternal infection (4.5% vs. 6.1%, p = 0.467; 1.7% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.517; and 2.2% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.088, respectively). Long-term survival of the BITA group was better: median 8.36 vs. 4.14 years, p<0.001. In multivariable analysis, BITA revascularization was associated with decreased late mortality (HR = 0.704, 95% CI: 0.556-0.89, p = 0.003). In analysis of a matched cohort (134 pairs), early outcomes did not differ between the groups; however, in multivariable analysis, BITA revascularization was associated with decreased late mortality (HR = 0.35 (95%CI 0.18-0.68), p = 0.002) . CONCLUSIONS: BITA revascularization did not impact early outcome in patients with CRF, but demonstrated a significant protective effect on long-term survival in the unmatched and matched cohorts.

The negative pressure wound therapy for prevention of sternal wound infection: Can we reduce infection rate after the use of bilateral internal thoracic arteries? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is traditionally used to treat postoperative wound infections. However, its use in closed wound sternotomy post cardiac surgery in high-risk patients has become increasingly popular. The potential preventive benefit of reducing sternal wound infections has been recently acknowledged. Bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafts are used in coronary artery bypass grafting but have been associated with an increased risk of sternal wound infections (SWIs). OBJECTIVES: This systematic analysis examines whether NPWT can reduce the incidence of SWI following BIMA grafts, leading to more patients benefiting from the better survival outcome associated with BIMA grafting. METHOD: A comprehensive systematic search and meta-analysis were performed to identify studies on the use of NPWT in closed wound sternotomy. Ovid MEDLINE (in-process and other nonindexed citations and Ovid MEDLINE 1990 to present), Ovid EMBASE (1990 to present), and The Cochrane Library (Wiley), PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched from their inception to May 2022 using keywords and MeSH terms. Thirty-four articles from 1991 to May 2022 were selected. RESULT: Three studies reported on the outcome of NPWT following BIMA grafting. The pooled analysis did not show any significant difference in the incidence of sternal wound infection between NPWT and standard dressing (RR 0.48 95% CI 0.17-1.37; P = 0.17) with substantial heterogeneity (I2 65%). Another seven studies were found comparing the outcome of SWI incidence of negative pressure closed wound therapy with conventional wound therapy in patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery. The pooled analysis showed that NPWT was associated with a low risk of SWIs compared to conventional dressing (RR 0.47 95% CI 0.36-0.59; P < 0.00001), with low heterogeneity (I2 1%). CONCLUSION: The literature identified that NPWT significantly decreased the incidence of sternal wound complications when applied to sutured sternotomy incisions in high-risk patients, and in some cases, it eliminated the risk. However, the inadequate number of randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of NPWT in BIMA grafting emphasizes the need for further, robust studies.

Off-pump bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in patients with left main coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: To compare postoperative outcomes in patients with left main coronary artery disease who underwent off-pump isolated coronary artery bypass grafting for multivessel disease using either skeletonized bilateral or single internal thoracic artery (ITA). METHODS: Among 1583 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in our hospital between 2002 and 2022, 604 patients with left main coronary artery disease underwent single (n = 169) or bilateral (n = 435) ITA grafting. We compared postoperative outcomes between the two groups after adjusting preoperative characteristics using inverse probability of treatment weighting. RESULTS: After adjustment using inverse probability of treatment weighting method, the sum of weights was 599.74 in BITA group and 621.64 in SITA group. There was no significant difference in postoperative deep sternal wound infection (p = 0.227) and 30-day mortality (p = 0.612). Follow-up was completed in 98.7% (596/604) of the patients, and the mean follow-up duration was 6.7 years. At 10 years, the overall survival following bilateral versus single ITA grafting was 71.2% and 60.6%, respectively (log-rank test, p = 0.040), and freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was 63.3% and 46.3%, respectively (log-rank test, p = 0.008). In multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, bilateral ITA grafting was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.706, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.504-0.987; p = 0.042) and MACCE (HR: 0.671, 95% CI: 0.499-0.902; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral skeletonized ITA grafting is associated with lower rates of all-cause death and MACCE than single ITA grafting in patients with left main coronary artery disease undergoing off-pump CABG.

Radial artery vs right internal mammary artery as a second conduit during coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes of radial artery (RA) grafts during CABG to those of right internal mammary artery (RIMA) grafts. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of isolated CABG with multiple grafts between 2010-2022. To balance graft cohorts, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed using a 1:1 match ratio. Long-term postoperative survival was compared among RA and RIMA groups. Similarly, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were compared among both cohorts, with MACCE comprising death, myocardial infarction (MI), coronary revascularization, and stroke. Kaplan-Meier estimation was performed for mortality, while cumulative incidence estimation was utilized for MACCE. RESULTS: A total of 8,774 patients underwent CABG. Of those, 1,674 (19.1%) patients who underwent multiarterial CABG were included in this analysis. 326 (19.5%) patients received RA grafts and 1,348 (80.5%) received RIMA grafts. PSM yielded a cohort of 323 RA patients and 323 RIMA patients. After matching, groups were well-balanced across all baseline variables. No significant differences were observed in immediate postoperative complications or long-term survival, with 5-year survival estimates of 89.5% for the RA group vs 90.1% for the RIMA group. There was a nonsignificant trend toward a higher incidence of MACCE at 5 years in the RA group compared to the RIMA group (31.3% in the RA group vs 24.1% in the RIMA group), especially after 1-year follow-up (21.6% in the RA group vs 15.1% in the RIMA group). Specifically, for RA patients, there were higher rates of repeat revascularization in the 5-year postoperative period (14.7% in the RA group vs 5.3% in the RIMA group), particularly in the territory revascularized by the RA during the index operation (45.7% in the RA group vs 10.3% in the RIMA group). CONCLUSION: Overall, RA and RIMA secondary conduits for CABG were associated with comparable immediate postoperative complications, 5-year MACCE, and 5-year survival after PSM. RA grafting was associated with significantly higher rates of repeat coronary revascularization at 5 years, specifically in the territory revascularized by the RA during the index operation.

Internal mammary artery perforator flap in the management of tracheoesophageal fistulae.

BACKGROUND: A pathological communication between the trachea and oesophagus - a tracheoesophageal fistula - may be congenital or acquired, benign or malignant, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach. Conservative attempts at closure of this abnormal connection are ineffective; the interposition of healthy vascular tissue offers the least chance of recurrence. METHODS: Outcomes of an islanded fasciocutaneous internal mammary artery perforator flap applied for tracheoesophageal fistula management were assessed in four radiated patients with laryngeal carcinoma using retrospective records. RESULTS: Four male patients, with an average age of 60.75 years, underwent tracheoesophageal fistula closure between September 2017 and February 2021. A left-sided second internal mammary artery perforator flap was used in all cases, with an average dimension of 10.5 × 4.5 cm. There were no complications of tracheoesophageal leak, flap issues or donor site morbidity on follow up. CONCLUSION: Recent advances in angiosomal territory mapping and microvascular dissection techniques, combined with an understanding of tracheoesophageal fistula pathology, have changed management perspectives in these difficult-to-treat patients.

Comparative Analysis of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Outcomes in Women Using Different Conduits in the National UK Data Set.

BACKGROUND: There is limited report of outcomes in women undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with left internal thoracic artery and different second conduits (saphenous vein graft [SVG], radial artery [RA], and right internal thoracic artery [RITA]). METHODS: The National Adult Cardiac Surgery Audit database was queried for women undergoing isolated CABG with left internal thoracic artery graft in the United Kingdom from 1996 to 2019. Propensity score-based pairwise comparisons were performed between graft types. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The study included 58,063 women (SVG, n = 48,881 [84.2%]; RA, n = 6136 [10.6%]; RITA, n = 2445 [4.2%]). SVG use was stable over the years; RA and RITA use decreased. In-hospital mortality was similar between the RA and RITA grafts (2.3% vs 2.8%; odds ratio [OR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.53-1.22; P = .39) and between the RA and SVG (2.3% vs 2.0%; OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.93-1.55; P = .17) but higher in the RITA group compared with the SVG (2.7% vs 1.4%; OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.27-3.36; P = .004). Women receiving the RITA graft were more likely to have sternal wound infection (SWI) compared with the RA (0.6% vs 0.06%; P = .004) and the SVG (0.6% vs 0.2%; P = .032). SWI was consistently associated with higher risk of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Conduit selection may affect operative outcomes in women undergoing CABG. The RA shows similar mortality and risk of deep SWI as the SVG.

Utilization of the internal mammary perforators as the recipient vessels for microsurgical breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The selection of reliable recipient vessels is essential for successful free tissue transfer. The use of internal mammary intercostal perforators (IMAPs), instead of the internal mammary vessels as the recipient vessels, has been described in breast reconstruction. Debates exist regarding the reliability of these perforators as recipient vessels because of their variability in location and caliber. The aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to determine the reliability of the IMAPs as recipient vessels. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed on the "PubMed," "Medline," "Ovid," and "Cochrane library" databases for articles published from January 1990 to March 2021. Exclusion criteria were non-English studies, reports with case number less than 5, cadaveric or animal studies, and studies with incomplete postoperative outcomes. The reliability of using IMAPs for breast reconstruction was determined by assessing the reported rates of partial or complete flap failure and other complications (fat necrosis, skin necrosis, and requirement for revision surgery). RESULTS: Three hundred and sixteen cases in 13 studies were included for further analysis with more than 85% of the IMAPs suitable for anastomosis being located in the second and third intercostal spaces. Partial or total flap failure was reported in three of 316 patients (0.95%). The rate of other complications such as fat necrosis, skin necrosis, and requirement for revision surgery were all less than 5%. CONCLUSION: With deliberate preoperative planning, delicate perioperative manipulation, and meticulous microvascular anastomosis, the internal mammary perforators can be used as reliable recipient vessels in microvascular breast reconstruction.

Sternal wound infections following internal mammary artery grafts for a coronary bypass: A meta-analysis.

The meta-analysis aims to evaluate and compare the sternal wound infections following internal mammary artery grafts for a coronary bypass. Examinations comparing bilateral internal mammary artery to single internal mammary artery for coronary artery bypass grafting were among the meta-analyses from various languages that met the inclusion criteria. Using dichotomous random- or fixed-effect models, the results of these investigations were examined, and the Odd Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was computed. A total of 31 examinations from 2001 to 2023 were recruited for the current analysis including 181 503 personals with coronary artery bypass grafting. Bilateral internal mammary artery had significantly higher sternal wound infection (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.37-1.68, p < 0.001), superficial sternal wound infection (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.16-2.56, p = 0.007), deep sternal wound infection (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.41-1.86, p < 0.001), sternal wound infection in diabetics (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.16-1.90, p = 0.002), sternal wound infection in elderly (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.22-1.57, p < 0.001), sternal wound infection in pedicled preparation (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.30-2.23, p < 0.001) and sternal wound infection in skeletonized preparation (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09-1.81, p = 0.009) compared to single internal mammary artery in personals with coronary artery bypass grafting. Bilateral internal mammary artery grafting is linked to a higher risk of impaired wound healing, particularly in diabetic individuals, elderly, pedicled preparation, and skeletonized preparation. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised while interacting with its values since examinations were performed by different surgeons with different skills on different types of personals.

Comparing the patency of the left internal mammary in single, sequential, and Y grafts.

BACKGROUND: To maximize arterial grafts, left internal mammary (LIMA) sequential and Y grafts are used. The aim is to compare the angiographic patency of the LIMA in these configurations. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2020, angiography was performed on 1000 patients who either had a single (570), sequential (100), or LIMA y (129) graft. The LIMA was divided into segments (S); S1: LIMA inflow to the first anastomosis, S2: terminal portion of the LIMA to left anterior descending (LAD), and S3; the y-limb anastomosis to a coronary. S1 and S2 patency analysis was carried out with logistic regression. RESULTS: Failure of the S1 and S2 was 3.7% single, 9% sequential, and 6.2 Y graft (P = .049). Segment 1 failed in 3.7% in single, 5% in sequential, and 0.8% in Y grafts (P = .049). Segment 3 failure was 10.3%. Regression revealed female sex and sequential grafts were associated with decreased S1 and S2 patency. CONCLUSIONS: Single grafts have the best patency. Failure in sequential grafts leads to increased occlusion of the LIMA inflow, whereas Y-graft failure tends to occlude the y limb. When arterial conduit is sparse, a Y graft should be considered.

Bilateral internal thoracic artery versus single internal thoracic artery plus radial artery: A double meta-analytic approach.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the current evidence on the best second conduit in coronary surgery carrying out a double meta-analysis of propensity score matched or adjusted studies comparing bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) versus single internal thoracic artery plus radial artery. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for propensity score matched or adjusted studies comparing BITA versus single internal thoracic artery plus radial artery. The end point was long-term mortality. Two statistical approaches were used: the generic inverse variance method and the pooled meta-analysis of Kaplan-Meier-derived individual patient data. RESULTS: Twelve matched populations comparing 6450 patients with BITA versus 9428 patients with single internal thoracic artery plus radial artery were included in our meta-analysis. The generic inverse variance method showed a statistically significant survival benefit of the BITA group (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.74-0.95; P = .04). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years of the BITA group were 97.0%, 91.3%, 80.0%, and 68.0%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years of the single internal thoracic artery plus radial artery group were 97.3%, 91.5%, 79.9%, and 63.9%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier-derived individual patient data meta-analysis applied to very long follow-up time data, showed that BITA provided a survival benefit after 10 years from surgery (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.63-0.94; P = .01). No differences in terms of survival between the 2 groups were detected when the analysis was focused on the first 10 years of follow-up (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.91-1.09; P = .93). CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests that double internal thoracic artery may provide, compared with single internal thoracic artery plus radial artery, a statistically significant survival advantage after 10 years of follow-up, but not before. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

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

BACKGROUND: Patients 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. OBJECTIVES: To 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. METHODS: In 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. RESULTS: Eighty 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. CONCLUSIONS: NIRS 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.

Duplex Imaging Assessment of the Internal Mammary Arteries in Women after Unilateral Mastectomy and Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The effects of incidental radiation exposure on internal mammary arteries remain unclear. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis by comparing diameter and blood flow of the irradiated and nonirradiated internal mammary arteries, using Duplex ultrasound imaging. METHODS: The study was designed as a single-center, transversal, comparative study. The main outcomes were diameter and volumetric blood flow of the internal mammary arteries. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to assess the differences between the irradiated and nonirradiated internal mammary arteries with regard to the diameter and volumetric blood flow. RESULTS: The diameter (median [interquartile range]) of the irradiated internal mammary arteries (0.170 mm [0.160, 0.180]) was smaller than that of the contralateral nonirradiated ones (0.180 mm [0.170, 0.200], P < 0.0001) and that of the internal mammary arteries in the control group (0.180 mm [0.170, 0.190], P < 0.0001). Similarly, blood flow (median [interquartile range]) of the irradiated internal mammary arteries (52.4 ml/min [37.78, 65.57]) was smaller than that of the contralateral nonirradiated ones (62.7 ml/min [46.87, 84.17], P < 0.0001), as well as of the left (56.7 ml/min [46.88, 72.58], P = 0.02) and the right internal mammary arteries in the control group (61.0 ml/min [47.47, 74.52], P = 0 0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the irradiated internal mammary arteries in patients with a history of total mastectomy followed by radiotherapy for breast cancer had significantly smaller diameter and blood flow compared to the nonirradiated internal mammary arteries.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of internal thoracic artery harvesting techniques: Skeletonized vs pedicled.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare clinical and angiographic outcomes of skeletonized versus pedicled internal thoracic artery for coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: A comprehensive search on Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE and Scopus was performed from inception to December 2022. The primary outcome was follow-up mortality and graft failure. Secondary outcomes were repeat revascularization, cardiovascular death and operative mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and sternal wound complications (SWCs). Pooled estimate for follow-up outcomes was summarized as incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) while short-term outcomes were pooled as odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. For all outcomes, inverse variance weighting was used for pooling. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies, including 7 randomized trials and 21 observational studies, for a total of 5664 patients in the skeletonized group and 7434 in the pedicled group, were included in the analysis. At a mean weighted follow-up of 4.8 years, there was no difference in mortality between the two groups (IRR 1.14; 95% CI 0.59-2.20). However, the skeletonized group had a higher incidence of graft failure compared to the pedicled group (IRR 1.87, 95% CI 1.33-2.63) but a lower risk of SWCs (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.30-0.60). There was no difference in short-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the pedicled harvesting technique, skeletonization of the internal thoracic artery is associated with higher rate of graft failure and lower risk of SWCs without mortality difference.