Regional Variation in the Use and Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in California.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been widely adopted for management of aortic stenosis. The purpose of this study was to examine regional access to and outcomes following TAVR in California. METHODS: Patients undergoing TAVR or isolated surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) from 2008 to 2019 in California were identified in the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. California was divided into seven regions: Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area, Central California, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Orange, and San Diego. Regional TAVR volumes were normalized to Medicare beneficiaries or isolated SAVR volume. Outcomes included risk-adjusted 30-day mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE). Trends were studied using non-parametric tests, and regional outcomes using logistic regression. RESULTS: TAVR volume increased annually since 2011, with 7148 cases performed in California in 2019. After normalization, variation in utilization of TAVR was evident, with the least performed in Central California. TAVR to SAVR ratios in 2019 were greatest in Northern California, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and least in the Inland Empire. After risk adjustment, there were no significant regional differences in 30-day mortality, but lower 30-day MACCE in the San Francisco Bay Area. CONCLUSIONS: Regional differences in TAVR utilization exist, with limited access in Central California and the Inland Empire, but risk-adjusted outcomes are similar. Efforts to reach underserved areas through existing program expansion or regional referrals may distribute transcatheter technology more equitably across California.

Defining value in cardiac surgery: A contemporary analysis of cost variation across the United States.

Objective: Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement are common cardiac operations performed in the United States and serve as platforms for benchmarking. The present national study characterized hospital-level variation in costs and value for coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement. Methods: Adults undergoing elective, isolated coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement were identified in the 2016-2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Center quality was defined by the proportion of patients without an adverse outcome (death, stroke, respiratory failure, pneumonia, sepsis, acute kidney injury, and reoperation). High-value hospitals were defined as those with observed-to-expected ratios less than 1 for costs and greater than 1 for quality, whereas the converse defined low-value centers. Results: Of 318,194 patients meeting study criteria, 71.9% underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting and 28.1% underwent aortic valve replacement. Variation in hospital-level costs was evident, with median center-level cost of $36,400 (interquartile range, 29,500-46,700) for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting and $38,400 (interquartile range, 32,300-47,700) for aortic valve replacement. Observed-to-expected ratios for quality ranged from 0.2 to 10.9 for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting and 0.1 to 11.7 for isolated aortic valve replacement. Hospital factors, including volume and quality, contributed to approximately 9.9% and 11.2% of initial cost variation for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement. High-value centers had greater cardiac surgery operative volume and were more commonly teaching hospitals compared to low-value centers, but had similar patient risk profiles. Conclusions: Significant variation in hospital costs, quality, and value exists for 2 common cardiac operations. Center volume was associated with value and partly accounts for variation in costs. Our findings suggest the need for value-based care paradigms to reduce expenditures and optimize outcomes.

Factors Associated With High Resource Use in Elective Adult Cardiac Surgery From 2005 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Lack of consensus remains about factors that may be associated with high resource use (HRU) in adult cardiac surgical patients. This study aimed to identify patient-related, hospital, and perioperative characteristics associated with HRU admissions involving elective cardiac operations. METHODS: Data from the National Inpatient Sample was used to identify patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft, valve replacement, and valve repair operations between 2005 and 2016. Admissions with HRU were defined as those in the highest decile for total hospital costs. Multivariable regressions were used to identify factors associated with HRU. RESULTS: An estimated 1,750,253 hospitalizations coded for elective cardiac operations. The median hospitalization cost was $34,700 (interquartile range, $26,800- to $47,100), with the HRU (N = 175,025) cutoff at $66,029. Although HRU patients comprised 10% of admissions, they accounted for 25% of cumulative costs. On multivariable regression, patient-related characteristics predictive of HRU included female sex, older age, higher comorbidity burden, non-White race, and highest income quartile. Hospital factors associated with HRU were low-volume hospitals for both coronary artery bypass graft and valvular operations. Among postoperative outcomes, mortality, infectious complications, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, and hospitalization for more than 8 days were associated with greater odds of HRU. CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide study of elective cardiac surgical patients, several important patient-related and hospital factors, including patients' race, comorbidities, postoperative infectious complications, and low hospital operative volume were identified as predictors of HRU. These highly predictive factors may be used for benchmarking purposes and improvement in surgical planning.

Impact of hospital volume on resource use after elective cardiac surgery: A contemporary analysis.

BACKGROUND: Institutional experience has been associated with reduced mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting and valve operations. Using a contemporary, national cohort, we examined the impact of hospital volume on hospitalization costs and postdischarge resource utilization after these operations. METHODS: Adults undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting or valve operations were identified in the 2016 to 2017 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Institutions were grouped into volume quartiles based on annual elective cardiac surgery caseload, and comparisons were made between the lowest and highest quartiles, using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Of an estimated 296,510 patients, 24.8% were treated at low-volume hospitals and 25.2% at high-volume hospitals. Compared with patients treated at low-volume hospitals, patients managed at high-volume hospitals were younger, had more comorbidities, and more frequently underwent combined coronary artery bypass grafting valve (13.0% vs 12.3%, P < .001) and multivalve operations (6.2% vs 3.1%, P < .001). After adjustment, operations at high-volume hospitals were associated with a $7,600 reduction (95% confidence interval $4,700-$10,500) in costs. High-volume hospitals were also associated with reduced odds of mortality, non-home discharge, and 30-day non-elective readmission compared to low-volume hospitals. CONCLUSION: Despite increased complexity at high-volume centers, greater operative volume was independently associated with reduced hospitalization costs and mortality after elective cardiac operations. Reduction in non-home discharge and readmissions suggests this effect to extend beyond acute hospitalization, which may guide value-based care paradigms.

Trends in utilization, mortality, and resource use after implantation of left ventricular assist devices in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Adoption of implantable left ventricular assist devices has dramatically improved survival and quality of life in suitable patients with end-stage heart failure. In the era of value-based healthcare delivery, assessment of clinical outcomes and resource use associated with left ventricular assist devices is warranted. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation from 2008 to 2016 were identified using the National Inpatient Sample. Hospitals were designated as low-volume, medium-volume, or high-volume institutions based on annual institutional left ventricular assist device case volume. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate adjusted odds of mortality across left ventricular assist device volume tertiles. RESULTS: Over the study period, an estimated 23,972 patients underwent left ventricular assist device implantation with an approximately 3-fold increase in the number of annual left ventricular assist device implantations performed (P for trend <.001). In-hospital mortality in patients with left ventricular assist devices decreased from 19.6% in 2008 to 8.1% in 2016 (P for trend <.001) and was higher at low-volume institutions compared with high-volume institutions (12.0% vs 9.2%, P < .001). Although the overall adjusted mortality was higher at low-volume compared with high-volume institutions (adjusted odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.15), this discrepancy was only significant for 2008 and 2009 (low-volume 2008 adjusted odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-15.8; low-volume 2009 adjusted odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-3.8). CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular assist device use has rapidly increased in the United States with a concomitant reduction in mortality and morbidity. With maturation of left ventricular assist device technology and increasing experience, volume-related variation in mortality and resource use has diminished. Whether the apparent uniformity in outcomes is related to patient selection or hospital quality deserves further investigation.

Predictors and In-Hospital Outcomes Among Patients Using a Single Versus Bilateral Mammary Arteries in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

The benefit of bilateral mammary artery (BIMA) use during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) continues to be debated. This study examined nationwide trends in BIMA use and factors influencing its utilization. Using the National Inpatient Sample, adults undergoing isolated multivessel CABG between 2005 and 2015 were identified and stratified based on the use of a single mammary artery or BIMA. Regression models were fit to identify patient and hospital level predictors of BIMA use and characterize the association of BIMA on outcomes including sternal infection, mortality, and resource utilization. An estimated 4.5% (n = 60,698) of patients underwent CABG with BIMA, with a steady increase from 3.8% to 5.0% over time (p<0.001). Younger age, male gender, and elective admission, were significant predictors of BIMA use. Moreover, private insurance was associated with higher odds of BIMA use (adjusted odds ratio 1.24) compared with Medicare. BIMA use was not a predictor of postoperative sternal infection, in-hospital mortality, or hospitalization costs. Overall, BIMA use remains uncommon in the United States despite no significant differences in acute postoperative outcomes. Several patient, hospital, and socioeconomic factors appear to be associated with BIMA utilization.

National Study of Index and Readmission Mortality and Costs for Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Patients With Renal Disease.

BACKGROUND: In the current era of value-based health care delivery, an understanding of patient populations at greatest risk for mortality, complications, and readmissions after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is warranted. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate outcomes after TEVAR for patients with varying degrees of renal dysfunction. METHODS: All patients who underwent TEVAR from 2010 to 2015 in the Nationwide Readmissions Database were identified. These patients were further stratified into four groups: no chronic kidney disease (NCKD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1 to 3 (CKD1-3), CKD 4 to 5 (CKD4-5), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis. Multivariable regression analysis was used to study index mortality, early (30 days) and intermediate (31-90 days) readmissions, costs, and length of stay. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to compare readmission performance among all four groups. RESULTS: An estimated 121,046 patients underwent TEVAR with 26,653 (22.1%) being elective. Patients with ESRD comprised 2.7% of elective and 5.4% of nonelective TEVAR operations. Patients with CKD4-5 (17.8%; P = .01) and with ESRD (21.1%; P < .001), but not with CKD1-3 (14.1%; P = .12), had remarkably higher early readmission rate than the NCKD cohort (9.2%). Patients with ESRD had remarkably higher hospitalization costs than the NCKD group ($7456; 95% confidence interval, $2629-$12,283). Cardiovascular, infectious, and vascular complications were the most prevalent diagnoses on readmission, with no remarkable difference among the NCKD and CKD4-5/ESRD groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 10% of all patients with TEVAR have evidence of chronic kidney disease of varying severity. Only patients with ESRD are at risk of substantially higher odds of mortality, readmissions, index length of stay, and costs compared with the non-CKD cohort.

Trends in Readmission and Costs After Transcatheter Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Renal Dysfunction.

Patients with renal dysfunction are at increased risk for developing aortic valve pathology. In the present era of value-based healthcare delivery, a comparison of transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) readmission performance in this population is warranted. All adult patients who underwent transcatheter or SAVR from 2011 to 2014 were identified using the Nationwide Readmissions Database, containing data for nearly 50% of US hospitalizations. Patients were further stratified as chronic kidney disease stage 1 to 5 as well as end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Kaplan-Meier, Cox Hazard, and multivariable regression models were generated to identify predictors of readmission and costs. Of the 350,609 isolated aortic valve replacements, 4.7% of patients suffered from chronic kidney disease stages 1 to 5 or end-stage renal disease. Transcatheter aortic valve patients with chronic kidney disease stages 1 to 5/or end-stage renal disease were older (81.9 vs 72.9 years, p <0.0001) with a higher prevalence of heart failure (15.2 vs 4.3%, p = 0.04), and peripheral vascular disease (31.1 vs 22.8%, p <0.0001) compared to their SAVR counterparts. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in chronic kidney disease stage 1 to 3 patients had a higher rate of readmission due to heart failure and pacemaker placement than SAVR. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement was associated with increased costs compared with SAVR for all renal failure patients. In conclusion, in this national cohort of chronic and end-stage renal disease patients, transcatheter aortic valve implantation was associated with increased mortality, readmissions for chronic kidney disease stages1 to 3, and index hospitalization costs.

Outcomes and Resource Utilization in Robotic Mitral Valve Repair: Beyond the Learning Curve.

BACKGROUND: After the initial learning curve associated with mastering a robotic procedure, there is a plateau where operative time and complication rates stabilize. Our objective was to evaluate one surgeon's experience with robotic mitral valve repairs (MVRep) beyond the learning curve and to compare its effectiveness against the traditional open approach. METHODS: Data from Ronald Reagan University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center was prospectively collected from January 2008 to March 2016 to identify adult patients undergoing robotic MVRep. Operative times, complication rates, and cost for robotic versus open MVRep were compared using multivariate regressions, adjusting for comorbidities and previous cardiac surgeries. RESULTS: During the study period, 175 robotic (41%) and 259 open (59%) MVRep cases were performed at our institution. As the surgeon performed more robotic operations, there was a decrease in room time (554-410 min, P < 0.001), surgery time (405-271 min, P < 0.001), and cross-clamp times (179-93 min, P < 0.001). After application of a multivariate regression model, robotic MVRep was associated with lower odds of complications (odds ratio = 0.42, P = 0.001), shorter length of stay (ß = -2.51, P < 0.001), and a reduction of 11% in direct (P = 0.003) and 24% in room costs (P < 0.001), but a 51% increase in surgery cost (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As the surgeon gained experience with robotic MVRep, operative times decreased in a steady manner. Robotic MVRep had comparable outcomes to open MVRep and lower overall cost. The observed difference in costs is likely related to shorter length of stay and lower room cost with the robotic approach.

Trends in mortality and resource utilization for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the United States: 2008-2014.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is used as a life-sustaining measure in patients with acute or end-stage cardiac or respiratory failure. We analyzed national trends in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use and outcomes and assessed the influence of hospital demographics. METHODS: Adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients in the 2008-2014 National Inpatient Sample were evaluated. Patient and hospital characteristics, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation indication, mortality, and hospital costs were analyzed. RESULTS: A total 17,020 adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients were considered: 47.4% respiratory failure, 38.6% postcardiotomy, 5.5% lung transplantation, 5.5% cardiogenic shock, and 3.2% heart transplantation. Admissions rose 361% from 1,026 in 2008 to 4,815 in 2014 (P < .0001), and the fraction of respiratory failure increased 40.5%-49.8% (P < .001). Elixhauser scores rose from 3.1 to 4.1 (P < .0001). Mortality decreased among total admissions from 62.4% to 42.7% (P < .0001) associated with an observed decline in postcardiotomy mortality. Mean hospital costs and length of stay remained stable throughout the study period. Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation occurred most frequently at large hospitals, small and medium-sized hospitals showed significant expansion (P < .001). The Northeast exhibited a sustained three-fold per capita increase in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rate (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The past decade has seen an exponential growth of ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the United States, with the fraction for respiratory failure displaying considerable growth. Overall extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients experienced substantially reduced mortality, driven by improved outcomes for postcardiotomy patients, along with a trend toward an increased risk profile. Disproportionate use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the Northeast warrants investigation of access to this technology across the United States.

Readmission and resource utilization after orthotopic heart transplant versus ventricular assist device in the National Readmissions Database, 2010-2014.

BACKGROUND: As the technology of ventricular assist devices continues to improve, the morbidity and mortality for patients with a ventricular assist device is expected to approach that of orthotopic heart transplantation. The present study was performed to compare perioperative outcomes, readmission, and resource utilization between ventricular assist device implantation and orthotopic heart transplantation, using a national cohort. METHODS: Patients who underwent either orthotopic heart transplantation or ventricular assist device implantation from 2010 to 2014 in the National Readmission Database were selected. RESULTS: Of the 12,111 patients identified during the study period, 5,440 (45%) received orthotopic heart transplantation, while 6,671 (55%) received ventricular assist devices. Readmissions occurred frequently after ventricular assist device implantation and orthotopic heart transplantation, with greater rates at 30 days (29% versus 24%, P=.005) and 6 months (62% versus 46%, P < .001) for the ventricular assist device cohort. Cost of readmission was greater among ventricular assist device patients at 30 days ($29,115 versus $21,586, P=.0002) and 6 months ($34,878 versus $20,144, P = .0106). CONCLUSION: Readmission rates and costs for patients with a ventricular assist device remain greater than their orthotopic heart transplantation counterparts. Given the projected increases in ventricular assist device utilization and limited transplant donor pool, further emphasis on cost containment and decreased readmissions for patients undergoing a ventricular assist device is essential to the viability of such therapy in the era of value-based health care delivery.

Improved costs and outcomes with conscious sedation vs general anesthesia in TAVR patients: Time to wake up?

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a commonplace procedure for the treatment of aortic stenosis in higher risk surgical patients. With the high cost and steadily increasing number of patients receiving TAVR, emphasis has been placed on optimizing outcomes as well as resource utilization. Recently, studies have demonstrated the feasibility of conscious sedation in lieu of general anesthesia for TAVR. This study aimed to investigate the clinical as well as cost outcomes associated with conscious sedation in comparison to general anesthesia in TAVR. METHODS: Records for all adult patients undergoing TAVR at our institution between August 2012 and June 2016 were included using our institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) registries. Cost data was gathered using the BIOME database. Patients were stratified into two groups according to whether they received general anesthesia (GA) or conscious sedation (CS) during the procedure. No-replacement propensity score matching was done using the validated STS predicted risk of mortality (PROM) as a propensity score. Primary outcome measure with survival to discharge and several secondary outcome measures were also included in analysis. According to our institution's data reporting guidelines, all cost data is presented as a percentage of the general anesthesia control group cost. RESULTS: Of the 231 patients initially identified, 225 (157 GA, 68 CS) were included for analysis. After no-replacement propensity score matching, 196 patients (147 GA, 49 CS) remained. Overall mortality was 1.5% in the matched population with a trend towards lower mortality in the CS group. Conscious sedation was associated with significantly fewer ICU hours (30 vs 96 hours, p = <0.001) and total hospital days (4.9 vs 10.4, p<0.001). Additionally, there was a 28% decrease in direct cost (p<0.001) as well as significant decreases in all individual all cost categories associated with the use of conscious sedation. There was no difference in composite major adverse events between groups. These trends remained on all subsequent subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Conscious sedation is emerging as a safe and viable option for anesthesia in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The use of conscious sedation was not only associated with similar rates of adverse events, but also shortened ICU and overall hospital stays. Finally, there were significant decreases in all cost categories when compared to a propensity matched cohort receiving general anesthesia.

The In-Hospital Cost of Ventricular Assist Device Therapy: Implications for Patient Selection.

Ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy is increasingly utilized to support patients in end-stage heart failure. However, VAD programs are resource intensive and demand active monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability. The purpose of this study was to analyze total cost trends of the VAD program at our academic medical center. Retrospective analysis of University of California - Los Angeles's VAD program between 2013 and 2014 was performed. Total in-hospital costs from the date of VAD surgery admission were queried and normalized to a z score. Multivariable linear regression analysis with step-wise elimination was used to model total costs. Overall, 42 patients received a VAD during the study period, with 19 (45%) receiving biventricular support. On univariate analysis, high body mass index, biventricular support, time between VAD implantation and discharge, and total length of hospital stay were correlated with higher costs (all p < 0.02). On multivariable analysis, time between VAD implantation and discharge and biventricular support remained significantly related to total costs (overall R = 0.831, p < 0.001). The time between VAD implantation and discharge and the use of biventricular support were the most predictive factors of total cost in our VAD population. Reducing hospital stay post-VAD implantation is important in minimizing the cost of VAD care.

Financial and clinical outcomes of extracorporeal mechanical support.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, extracorporeal mechanical support (ECMO) has been increasingly utilized in respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock. There is a need for assessing clinical and financial outcomes of ECMO use. This study presents our institution's experience with veno-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) over a 9-year period. METHODS: A retrospective review of our institution's ECMO database identified patients undergoing VA-ECMO between 2005 and 2013 (N = 150). Patients were assigned to four groups by indication: post-cardiotomy syndrome, cardiogenic shock requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), cardiogenic shock not requiring CPR, and respiratory failure. Hospital charges from administrative records were analyzed. Trend and correlation analyses were used to evaluate clinical and financial outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 150 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 28% required VA-ECMO for post-cardiotomy syndrome, 31.3% for cardiogenic shock with CPR, 35.3% for cadiogenic shock with no CPR, and 5.4% for respiratory failure. Mean duration on ECMO was 5.0 ± 3.4 days with a survival rate of 64% and no difference between the four groups (p = 0.40). ECMO-associated charges averaged $74,500 ± 61,400 per patient, 6% of total hospital charges. Subgroup analysis of cardiogenic shock patients revealed a nearly twofold increase in ECMO-related charges among patients who did not receive CPR (p = 0.04), as well as a trend toward improved survival (69.8% vs 51.1%, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: In view of the variations in survival and costs in ECMO patients, further studies should aim to delineate patient populations that benefit from early initiation of ECMO.

ACCF/AHA/ASE/ASNC/HFSA/HRS/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR/STS 2013 multimodality appropriate use criteria for the detection and risk assessment of stable ischemic heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

The American College of Cardiology Foundation along with key specialty and subspecialty societies, conducted an appropriate use review of common clinical presentations for stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) to consider use of stress testing and anatomic diagnostic procedures. This document reflects an updating of the prior Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) published for radionuclide imaging (RNI), stress echocardiography (Echo), calcium scoring, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and invasive coronary angiography for SIHD. This is in keeping with the commitment to revise and refine the AUC on a frequent basis. A major innovation in this document is the rating of tests side by side for the same indication. The side-by-side rating removes any concerns about differences in indication or interpretation stemming from prior use of separate documents for each test. However, the ratings were explicitly not competitive rankings due to the limited availability of comparative evidence, patient variability, and range of capabilities available in any given local setting. The indications for this review are limited to the detection and risk assessment of SIHD and were drawn from common applications or anticipated uses, as well as from current clinical practice guidelines. Eighty clinical scenarios were developed by a writing committee and scored by a separate rating panel on a scale of 1-9, to designate Appropriate, May Be Appropriate, or Rarely Appropriate use following a modified Delphi process following the recently updated AUC development methodology. The use of some modalities of testing in the initial evaluation of patients with symptoms representing ischemic equivalents, newly diagnosed heart failure, arrhythmias, and syncope was generally found to be Appropriate or May Be Appropriate, except in cases where low pre-test probability or low risk limited the benefit of most testing except exercise electrocardiogram (ECG). Testing for the evaluation of new or worsening symptoms following a prior test or procedure was found to be Appropriate. In addition, testing was found to be Appropriate or May Be Appropriate for patients within 90 days of an abnormal or uncertain prior result. Pre-operative testing was rated Appropriate or May Be Appropriate only for patients who had poor functional capacity and were undergoing vascular or intermediate risk surgery with 1 or more clinical risk factors or an organ transplant. The exercise ECG was suggested as an Appropriate test for cardiac rehabilitation clearance or for exercise prescription purposes. Testing in asymptomatic patients was generally found to be Rarely Appropriate, except for calcium scoring and exercise testing in intermediate and high-risk individuals and either stress or anatomic imaging in higher-risk individuals, which were all rated as May Be Appropriate. All modalities of follow-up testing after a prior test or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 2 years and within 5 years after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in the absence of new symptoms were rated Rarely Appropriate. Pre-operative testing for patients with good functional capacity, prior normal testing within 1 year, or prior to low-risk surgery also were found to be Rarely Appropriate. Imaging for an exercise prescription or prior to the initiation of cardiac rehabilitation was Rarely Appropriate except for cardiac rehabilitation clearance for heart failure patients.

Endoscopic versus conventional radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: functional and histologic assessment of the conduit.

BACKGROUND: The radial artery's propensity for vasospasm and vulnerability to surgical trauma are well known. A less invasive endoscopic method to harvest the radial artery was recently introduced, but its effect on radial artery integrity is unknown. METHODS: To compare the effects of harvest method on radial artery function, we prospectively randomized 54 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with the radial artery into 3 groups on the basis of harvest techniques: endoscopic, conventional with cautery, and conventional with harmonic scalpel. We assessed endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxation of radial artery segments to sequential doses of acetylcholine and nitroglycerin, respectively, using standard organ-chamber methodology. Vasospasm was assessed as the vasoconstrictor response to the thromboxane analog U46619. We assessed endothelial integrity using light and electron microscopy and by rating intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and P-selectin expression by means of immunohistochemistry on a semiquantitative 0- to 3-point scale. Harvest procedures were performed by a single surgeon, and data analyses were blinded to the harvesting method. RESULTS: Maximal relaxation-contraction responses to acetylcholine, nitroglycerin, and U46619 and effective drug concentration yielding 50% response were similar in the 3 groups. Adhesion molecule expression and histologic changes, as assessed by means of light and electron microscopy, were similar in the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic harvest does not alter radial artery vasoreactivity or endothelial integrity compared with conventional harvest techniques. Because the endoscopic technique is less invasive, it might prove to be the technique of choice to harvest the radial artery.