Single versus multiple arterial coronary artery bypass grafting in men and women: results from Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgery Procedures.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this multicenter study aimed to investigate the impact of sex on long-term survival among patients with multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using multiple arterial grafting (MAG) or a single artery with saphenous vein grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgery Procedures database. This study included 81 136 patients who underwent CABG for multivessel disease between January 2012 and December 2020 (22.9 were women and 77.1% were men). MAG was performed in 8.3 and 11.7% of female and male patients, respectively. A 1:1 propensity score (PS)-matching was performed. Long-term mortality was compared between matched groups of men and women. Subgroup analyses of patients aged <70 and ≥70 years, with an ejection fraction (EF) >40% and ≤40%, and with and without diabetes, obesity, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or chronic lung disease (CLD) were performed separately in women and men. RESULTS: MAG was associated with lower long-term mortality than saphenous vein grafts in 1528 PS-matched female pairs [hazard ratio (HR): 0.74; 95% CI: 0.59-0.92; P =0.007) and 7283 PS-matched male pairs (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.72-0.88; P <0.001). Subgroup analyses confirmed the results among female patients aged <70 years, with diabetes and EF >40%, and without PAD or CLD, and of male patients aged <70 and ≥70 years; with EF >40%; with or without diabetes, obesity, or PAD; and without CLD. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing CABG, MAG was associated with significantly improved survival in both sexes. The long-term benefits of MAG observed across subgroups of men and women support the consideration of a multiarterial revascularization strategy for a broader spectrum of patients.

Reducing delirium and cognitive dysfunction after off-pump coronary bypass: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Neuropsychiatric complications of surgical coronary revascularization are inconspicuous but frequent and clinically relevant. So far, attempts to reduce their occurrence, such as the introduction of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting method, have not brought the desired results. The aim of this trial was to determine whether using any of the 2 selected modifications of OPCAB could decrease the incidence of these undesired sequelae. METHODS: In this single-center, assessor- and patient-blinded, superiority, randomized controlled trial, 192 patients scheduled for elective isolated OPCAB were randomized to 3 parallel arms. The control arm underwent "conventional" OPCAB with vein grafts. The first study arm underwent anaortic OPCAB (ANA) with total arterial revascularization. The second study arm underwent OPCAB with vein grafts using carbon dioxide surgical field flooding (CO2FF). Outcomes included the incidence of postoperative delirium (PD) and early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (ePOCD). RESULTS: The incidence of PD was 35.9% in the control (OPCAB) arm, 32.8% in the CO2FF arm, and 12.5% in the ANA arm (χ2 [2, N = 191] = 10.17; P = .006). Post hoc tests revealed that the incidence of PD in the ANA arm differed from that in the OPCAB arm (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.68; P = .002). The incidence of ePOCD was 34.4% in the OPCAB arm, 28.1% in the CO2FF arm, and 9.5% in the ANA arm (χ2 [2, N = 191] = 11.58; P = .003). Post hoc tests revealed that the incidence of ePOCD differed between the ANA and OPCAB arms (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06-0.58; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Performing ANA significantly decreases the incidence of PD and ePOCD compared with "conventional" OPCAB with vein grafts, whereas CO2FF is inconsequential in this regard. These results, which probably reflect decreased delivery of embolic load to the brain in ANA, may have practical applicability in daily practice to improve clinical outcomes.

Invasive Assessment of the Myocardial Microcirculation during Beating Heart Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Coronary artery bypass grafting may be associated with several cardiac complications, including ischemia, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, or hemodynamic instability. Accumulating evidence suggests that well-developed coronary collateral circulation may protect against adverse effects, including myocardial ischemia. Assessment of myocardial microvascular perfusion is, therefore, of great clinical interest in beating heart surgery. In this paper, myocardial microvascular perfusion is continuously assessed on the beating heart using laser Doppler flowmetry in consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. No significant (p = 0.110) differences were found between the averaged perfusion signal (n = 42) at the baseline, during artery occlusion, or after reperfusion (732.4 ± 148.0 vs. 711.4 ± 144.1 vs. 737.0 ± 141.2, respectively). In contrast, significantly different (p < 0.001) mean perfusion signals (n = 12) were found (805.4 ± 200.1 vs. 577.2 ± 212.8 vs. 649.3 ± 220.8) in a subset of patients who presented with hemodynamic instability and myocardial ischemia. Additionally, a strong positive correlation between the plasma levels of high-sensitivity troponin I and perfusion decrease level after artery occlusion was found (r = 0.854, p < 0.001). This study argues that myocardial microvascular perfusion remains constant during coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart in advanced coronary artery disease. This phenomenon is most likely due to an extensive coronary collateral circulation.

Novel Markers for Predicting Type 2 Neurologic Complications of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 neurologic complications of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) include postoperative cognitive dysfunction and delirium. Although relevant clinically, they are rarely properly recognized outside of dedicated research setting, as their identification is complex and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic potential of 4 novel brain-injury biomarkers for predicting these sequelae at the completion of off-pump CABG. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients scheduled for elective isolated off-pump CABG were enrolled. Control group of patients without neurological complications (n = 48) was compared separately to study groups diagnosed with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (n = 39) and delirium (n = 26). Serum concentrations of glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuroserpin, phosphorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H, and visinin-like protein 1 were evaluated at baseline, end of surgery, as well as on postoperative day 1 and 7. RESULTS: Increased end of surgery to baseline ratio of neuroserpin predicted the occurrence of both postoperative cognitive dysfunction (area under the curve = 0.655, 95% confidence interval 0.54-0.77) and delirium (area under curve = 0.643, 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.77). Concentrations of neuroserpin were significantly higher on postoperative day 7 compared with end of surgery and postoperative day 1 in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among novel biochemical markers of brain damage, neuroserpin may be a promising predictor of type 2 neurological complications and may express neuroregeneration after off-pump CABG, whereas glial fibrillary acidic protein, phosphorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H, and visinin-like protein 1 may not be suitable for this clinical setting.

Transcathether aortic valve implantation with the new repositionable self-expandable Medtronic Evolut R vs. CoreValve system: evidence on the benefit of a meta-analytical approach.

AIMS: To compare transcatheter aortic valve replacement TAVR with self-expandable first-generation Medtronic CoreValve with new-generation Evolut R devices in patients with aortic stenosis. METHODS: Multiple databases were screened for all available reports directly or indirectly comparing CoreValve vs Evolut R. Primary endpoint was device success. Procedural, functional and clinical outcomes were assessed as well. RESULTS: Ten retrospective series including 12 294 pts. were found. Overall device success rate was 95.5% and was statistically higher in the Evolut R treated patients as compared with CoreValve: 96.6 vs. 94.8%, respectively; RR (risk ratio) 95%CIs (confidence intervals): 1.02 (1.00-1.04); P = 0.01. There were no statistical differences with regard to postoperative mean aortic gradients 8.5 +/- 5.3 vs 7.9 +/- 4.6 with Evolut R and CoreValve. Evolut R valve demonstrated nearly 50% reduction of the risk for moderate-to-severe paravalvilar leak 0.55 (0.39-0.79); P = 0.001; 60% statistically significant lower risk of developing myocardial injury 0.40 (0.22-0.72); P = 0.002 and numerical reductions in the risk of acute kidney injury, vascular complications and bleeding. Together with significantly reduced risk of permanent pacemaker implantation (0.80 [0.67-0.96]; P = 0.02) the above benefits were associated with 40% reduction in the risk of 30-day all-cause mortality with Evolut R as compared to CoreValve: 0.60 (0.37-1.00); P = 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: The use of new-generation Evolut R was associated with improved procedural, functional and clinical outcomes compared with the CoreValve device.

Assessment of the Procoagulant Activity of Microparticles and the Protein Z System in Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

To understand the coagulation changes after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery, we evaluated the procoagulant activity of microparticles (MPs) and microparticles exposing tissue factor (MPs-TF), together with the levels of total tissue factor (TF), protein Z (PZ), protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI), and factor X (FX) before (first day) and 1 week after surgery (seventh day) in plasma samples from 30 patients. Twenty healthy controls were also included. Compared to the controls, patients scheduled for surgery had significantly higher MPs-TF procoagulant activity and lower TF levels ( P = .0006, P = .02, respectively). In the whole cohort, median procoagulant activity of MPs-TF and median levels of TF and ZPI were significantly lower ( P = .02, P = .0003, and P = .004, respectively), while median levels of PZ and FX were significantly higher ( P = .02 and P = .002, respectively) on the seventh day compared to the first day. Our results suggest that OPCAB surgery has a significant effect on the procoagulant activity of MPs-TF and the PZ system.

Comparative performance of transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation versus conventional surgical redo aortic valve replacement in patients with degenerated aortic valve bioprostheses: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this report was to directly compare, by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis, redo surgical aortic valve replacement (re-sAVR) with valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV TAVI) for patients with failed degenerated aortic bioprostheses. Multiple databases were screened for all available reports comparing ViV TAVI with re-sAVR in patients with failing degenerated aortic bioprostheses. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality determined from the longest available survival data. Five observational studies (n = 342) were included in the meta-analysis; patients in the ViV TAVI group were older and had a higher baseline risk compared to those in the re-sAVR group. Although there was no statistical difference in procedural mortality [risk ratio (RR) 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-2.97; P = 0.67], 30-day mortality (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.44-3.78; P = 0.64) and cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.30-2.70; P = 0.86) at a mean follow-up period of 18 months, cumulative survival analysis favoured surgery with borderline statistical significance (ViV TAVI versus re-sAVR: hazard ratio 1.91, 95% CI 1.03-3.57; P = 0.039). ViV TAVI was associated with a significantly lower rate of permanent pacemaker implantations (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.20-0.68; P = 0.002) and shorter intensive care unit (P < 0.001) and hospital stays (P = 0.020). In contrast, re-sAVR offered superior echocardiographic outcomes: lower incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (P = 0.008), fewer paravalvular leaks (P = 0.023) and lower mean postoperative aortic valve gradients in the prespecified analysis (P = 0.017). The ViV TAVI approach is a safe and feasible alternative to re-sAVR that may offer an effective, less invasive treatment for patients with failed surgical aortic valve bioprostheses who are inoperable or at high risk. Re-sAVR should remain the standard of care, particularly in the low-risk population, because it offers superior haemodynamic outcomes with low mortality rates.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing safety and efficacy of posterior pericardial drainage in patients undergoing heart surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the potential beneficial effects of posterior pericardial drainage in patients undergoing heart surgery. METHODS: Multiple online databases and relevant congress proceedings were screened for randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy and safety of posterior pericardial drainage, defined as posterior pericardiotomy incision, chest tube to posterior pericardium, or both. Primary endpoint was in-hospital/30 days' cardiac tamponade. Secondary endpoints comprised death or cardiac arrest, early and late pericardial effusion, postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), acute kidney injury, pulmonary complications, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Nineteen randomized controlled trials that enrolled 3425 patients were included. Posterior pericardial drainage was associated with a significant 90% reduction of the odds of cardiac tamponade compared with the control group: odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.13 (0.07-0.25); P < .001. The corresponding event rates were 0.42% versus 4.95%. The odds of early and late pericardial effusion were reduced significantly in the intervention arm: 0.20 (0.11-0.36); P < .001 and 0.05 (0.02-0.10); P < .001, respectively. Posterior pericardial drainage significantly reduced the odds of POAF by 58% (P < .001) and was associated with significantly shortened (by nearly 1 day) overall length of hospital stay (P < .001). Reductions in postoperative complications translated into significantly reduced odds of death or cardiac arrest (P = .03) and numerically lower odds of acute kidney injury (P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior pericardial drainage is safe and simple technique that significantly reduces not only the prevalence of early pericardial effusion and POAF but also late pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. These benefits, in turn, translate into improved survival after heart surgery.

Clinical Safety and Effectiveness of Endoaortic as Compared to Transthoracic Clamp for Small Thoracotomy Mitral Valve Surgery: Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Controversies remain on the increased rate of neurological events after small thoracotomy mitral valve surgery attributed to endoaortic balloon occlusion (EABO). Systematic literature search of databases identified 17 studies enrolling 6,643 patients comparing safety and effectiveness of EABO versus transthoracic clamp. In a meta-analysis, there was no difference in occurrence of cerebrovascular events, all-cause mortality, and kidney injury. EABO was associated with a significantly higher risk of iatrogenic aortic dissection (0.93% versus 0.13%; risk ratio, 4.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.62 to 13.49; p = 0.004) and a trend toward longer operative times. The data is limited to observational studies.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion - treatment outcomes and 6 months of follow-up - a single-center experience.

AIM: To present the results of treatment and evaluate 6 months of follow-up in a group of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, who underwent the procedure of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (PLAAO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion was performed in 34 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and contraindications for oral anticoagulation therapy. The risk of thromboembolic and bleeding complications was determined based on the CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED scales. The Amplatzer Amulet system from St. Jude Medical was used. On the first postoperative day, all patients were started on double antiplatelet therapy with 75 mg/day of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and 75 mg/day of clopidogrel (CLO). On the 30(th) postoperative day, the efficacy of the antiplatelet therapy was assessed with impedance aggregometry using a Multiplate analyzer (Roche). Echocardiographic examinations were performed intraoperatively and on the first postoperative day; subsequently, follow-up examinations were conducted 1 and 6 months after the implantation. RESULTS: In all patients, proper occluder position was observed throughout the follow-up. No leakage or thrombi around the implants were found. No strokes or bleeding complications associated with the antiplatelet therapy were observed. Multiplate assessment of platelet activity was conducted in 20 out of 34 patients. The efficacy of ASA treatment was demonstrated in all patients; no response to clopidogrel treatment was observed in 5 out of 20 patients. One patient suffered from cardiac tamponade, which required the performance of full sternotomy. Local complications (hematomas of the inguinal region) were observed in 3 patients. One of the patients died for reasons unrelated to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion is an effective procedure in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and contraindications for chronic anticoagulation therapy. Further observation is necessary to evaluate the longterm results.

Meta-analysis of uninterrupted as compared to interrupted oral anticoagulation with or without bridging in patients undergoing coronary angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To assess safety and effectiveness of different periprocedural antithrombotic strategies in patients receiving long-term oral anticoagulation and undergoing coronary angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Studies comparing uninterrupted oral anticoagulation (UAC) with vit. K antagonists vs interrupted oral anticoagulation (IAC) with or without bridging anticoagulation before coronary procedures were eligible for inclusion in the current meta-analysis. Endpoints selected were 30-day composite of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular and thromboembolic events (MACCE) and major bleeding. RESULTS: Eight studies (7 observational and 1 randomized controlled trial [N=2325pts.]) were included in the analysis. There was no difference in MACCE between UAC and IAC; RR (95%CIs): 0.74 (0.34-1.64); p=0.46 but there was a statistically significant MACCE risk reduction with UAC as compared to IAC with bridging: 0.52 (0.29-0.95); p=0.03. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences between UAC vs IAC in regard to major bleeding: 0.62 (0.16-2.43); p=0.49; but as compared to IAC with bridging, UAC was associated with statistically significant 65% lower risk of major bleeding: 0.35 (0.13-0.92); p=0.03. Additionally, meta-regression analysis revealed significant linear correlation between log RR of MACCE (ß=-4.617; p<0.001) and major bleeding (ß=6.665; p=0.022) and mean value of target INR suggestive of higher thrombotic and secondary haemorrhagic risk below estimated INR cut-off of 2.17-2.27 within 30days. CONCLUSIONS: Uninterrupted OAC is at least as safe as interrupted OAC, and seems to be much safer than interrupted OAC with bridging anticoagulation in patients undergoing coronary angiography with or without PCI.

Cerebrovascular Events After No-Touch Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Conventional Side-Clamp Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass, and Proximal Anastomotic Devices: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) has been shown to reduce the risk of neurologic complications as compared to coronary artery bypass grafting performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. Side-clamping of the aorta while constructing proximal anastomoses, however, still carries substantial risk of cerebral embolization. We aimed to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies assessing 2 clampless techniques: aortic "no-touch" and proximal anastomosis devices (PAD) for OPCAB. METHODS AND RESULTS: PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar databases were screened for randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing "no-touch" and/or PAD with side-clamp OPCAB and reporting short-term (≤30 days) outcomes: cerebrovascular accident and all-cause mortality. A total of 18 studies (3 randomized controlled trials) enrolling 25 163 patients were included. Aortic "no-touch" was associated with statistically lower risk of cerebrovascular accident as compared to side-clamp OPCAB: risk ratio 95% CI: 0.41 (0.27-0.61); P<0.01; I(2)=0%. Event rates were 0.36% and 1.28% for "no-touch" and side-clamp OPCAB, respectively. No difference was seen between PAD and side-clamp OPCAB: 0.71 (0.33-1.55); P=0.39; I(2)=39%. A trend towards increased 30-day all-cause mortality with PAD and no difference with "no-touch" were observed when compared to side-clamp OPCAB. In a subset analysis, "no-touch" consistently reduced the risk of cerebrovascular accident regardless of patients' baseline risk characteristics. A benefit with PAD was observed in low-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic "no-touch" technique was associated with nearly 60% lower risk of postoperative cerebrovascular events as compared to conventional side-clamp OPCAB with effect consistent across patients at different risk.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting improves short-term outcomes in high-risk patients compared with on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and risks of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and to investigate the relationship between outcomes and patient risk profile. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and major conference proceedings databases were searched for RCTs comparing OPCAB and CABG and reporting short-term (≤ 30 days) outcomes. Endpoints assessed were all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and cerebral stroke. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 100 studies, with a total of 19,192 subjects. There was no difference between the 2 techniques with respect to all-cause mortality and MI (odds ratio [OR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-1.09; P = .25; I(2) = 0% and OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.77-1.05; P = .19; I(2) = 0%, respectively). OPCAB was associated with a significant 28% reduction in the odds of cerebral stroke (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.56-0.92; P = .009; I(2) = 0%). A significant relationship between patient risk profile and benefits from OPCAB was found in terms of all-cause mortality (P < .01), MI (P < .01), and cerebral stroke (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: OPCAB is associated with a significant reduction in the odds of cerebral stroke compared with conventional CABG. In addition, benefits of OPCAB in terms of death, MI, and cerebral stroke are significantly related to patient risk profile, suggesting that OPCAB should be strongly considered in high-risk patients.