Novel approach to stenting the left anterior descending coronary artery through a retrograde approach via the left internal mammary artery graft in a patient with occlusion of the coronary ostium from a prior aortic valve replacement.

Total occlusion of both coronary ostia is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication following surgical aortic valve replacement. This report presents a case of a patient with known total occlusion of both coronary artery ostia following combined coronary artery bypass graft surgery and aortic valve replacement who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention through a retrograde approach.

Radial versus femoral access in patients with coronary artery bypass surgery: Frequentist and Bayesian meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal access site for cardiac catheterization in patients with prior coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) continues to be debated. METHODS: We performed a random effects frequentist and Bayesian meta-analysis of 4 randomized trials and 18 observational studies, including 60,192 patients with prior CABG (27,236 in the radial group; 32,956 in the femoral group) that underwent cardiac catheterization. Outcomes included (1) access-site complications, (2) crossover to a different vascular access, (3) procedure time, and (4) contrast volume. Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for continuous outcomes and odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI for binary outcomes. RESULTS: Among randomized trials, crossover (OR: 7.63; 95% CI: 2.04, 28.51; p = 0.003) was higher in the radial group, while access site complications (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.34, 2.87; p = 0.94) and contrast volume (MD: 15.08; 95% CI: -10.19, 40.35; p = 0.24) were similar. Among observational studies, crossover rates were higher (OR: 5.09; 95% CI: 2.43, 10.65; p < 0.001), while access site complication rates (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.89; p = 0.02) and contrast volume (MD: -7.52; 95% CI: -13.14, -1.90 ml; p = 0.009) were lower in the radial group. Bayesian analysis suggested that the odds of a difference existing between radial and femoral are small for all endpoints except crossover to another access site. CONCLUSION: In a frequentist and Bayesian meta-analysis of patients with prior CABG undergoing coronary catheterization, radial access was associated with lower incidence of vascular access complications and lower contrast volume but also higher crossover rate.

Changes in surgical revascularization strategy after fractional flow reserve.

AIMS: In the randomized GRAFFITI trial, surgeons drew their strategy based on coronary angiography. When patients were randomized to fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guidance, surgeons were informed of the FFR values and asked to redraw their strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes induced by FFR knowledge. METHODS AND RESULTS: The intended and performed strategy (before and after FFR) were compared. Among 172 patients, 84 with 300 lesions were randomized to the FFR-guided group. The intended strategy was to bypass 236 stenoses:108 with a venous and 128 with an arterial graft. After disclosing FFR, a change in strategy occurred in 64 lesions (21.3%) of 48 (55%) patients. Among 64 lesions for which the intended strategy was medical therapy, 16 (25%) were bypassed after disclosing FFR. The number of procedures with >1 venous graft planned was significantly reduced from 37 to 27 patients (p = .031). The proportion of on-pump surgery was significantly reduced from 71 to 61 patients (p = .006). The rates of clinical events at 1 year were similar between patients with or without at least one change in strategy. DISCUSSION: FFR-guided CABG is associated with a simplified surgical procedure in 55% of the patients, with similar clinical outcomes.

Inadvertent aortocoronary arteriovenous fistula after CABG: Systematic review of case reports.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize published case reports of aortocoronary arteriovenous fistula (ACAVF) after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). BACKGROUND: Inadvertent ACAVF is a rare complication following CABG. However, the incidence continues to rise, and its management details and clinical outcomes have not been well described. METHODS: To identify all published cases of ACAVF following CABG, PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched through November 2019. We defined ACAVF as inadvertent attachment of the grafting vessel onto a cardiac vein instead of targeted coronary artery. A systematic review was performed to identify the incidence, clinical features, and management outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 48 post-CABG ACAVF cases were gathered. Among these patients, the mean age was 61.9 years and 79.2% were men. Most common presenting symptoms were chest pain (60.4%) and dyspnea (27.1%). The average onset of symptoms was 3 years; however, 54.2% of patients developed symptoms within the first year. The majority of cases reported targeted native vessel LAD during CABG (62.5%). Of these cases, 9 (18.8%) were managed conservatively, 8 (16.7%) chose to undergo surgery including ligation of fistula and repeat CABG, and 27 (56.3%) underwent percutaneous closure. Among these patients 13 cases (27.1%) were managed with coil embolization, 5 (10.4%) with balloon embolization, 5 (10.4%) were treated with a covered stent, and 4 (8.3%) used a vascular plug. There were no reported complications following treatment in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent ACAVF are rare following CABG. Percutaneous closure was feasible and safe in treating these patients.

Impact of stent length and diameter on 10-year mortality in the SYNTAXES trial.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of total stent length (TSL) and average nominal stent diameter (ASD) on 10-year mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the SYNTAXES trial. BACKGROUND: TSL and ASD in patients treated with PCI are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the treatment effect of PCI with extensive and/or small stenting as compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for complex coronary artery disease has not been fully evaluated. METHODS: Impacts on mortality of extensive stenting defined as TSL >100 mm and small stenting as ASD <3 mm were analyzed in 893 PCI patients and were compared to 865 CABG patients. RESULTS: TSL as a continuous variable was significantly associated with 10-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.05 [1.01-1.09] per 10 mm increase). PCI patients with extensive stenting had a higher 10 year mortality than CABG patients (adjusted HR, 1.97 [1.41-2.74]) or not- extensive stenting PCI (adjusted HR, 1.94 [1.36-2.77]). Although ASD did not have a significant association with 10 year mortality (adjusted HR, 0.97 [0.85-1.11] per 0.25 mm increase), PCI with small stents was associated with a higher 10 year mortality, compared to CABG (adjusted HR, 1.66 [1.23-2.26]) and PCI performed with large stents (adjusted HR, 1.74 [1.19-2.53]). Patients treated with not-extensive and large stents had similar mortality rates (24.0 versus 23.8%) as those treated with CABG. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive and small stenting were associated with higher 10 year mortality, compared with CABG. When patients have to be treated with extensive or small stenting, revascularization with CABG should be preferred.

Impact of prior coronary artery bypass grafting in patients undergoing chronic total occlusion-percutaneous coronary intervention: Procedural and clinical outcomes from the REgistry of Crossboss and Hybrid procedures in FrAnce, the NetheRlands, BelGium, and UnitEd Kingdom (RECHARGE).

AIM: Chronic total occlusions (CTO) in patients with history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) show more advanced and complex atherosclerotic pathology. Aim of our study is to compare outcomes in patients undergoing CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with previous CABG versus those without in the REgistry of Crossboss and Hybrid procedures in FrAnce the NetheRlands, BelGium and UnitEd Kingdom (RECHARGE). METHODS & RESULTS: The RECHARGE cohort (1,252 patients) was divided in two groups according to the presence of previous CABG (217) or not. We also focused, in the post-CABG group, on a comparison between CTO in previously grafted vessels versus non-grafted vessels. The CTO complexity scores were higher and the success rate (71.9% vs. 88.7%, p < .001) was lower in the CABG group, this difference was driven by higher failure rates in high-complexity-score CTO. The rate of in-hospital complications was similar. In the post-CABG group, the procedural success of CTO located in previously grafted vessels versus those in vessels not previously grafted, was comparably suboptimal (73.1% vs. 68%, p = .47). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing CTO PCI with prior CABG have a higher prevalence of comorbidities and more complex lesion characteristics. In the post-CABG population the success rate was significantly lower, particularly in high CTO complexity scores, though complication rates were comparable. In the post-CABG population, the CTO success rate was independent of the presence of a previous graft on the CTO vessel.

Percutaneous coronary interventions on vein graft bifurcation lesions presenting as an acute coronary syndrome.

Interventions on graft bifurcation lesions are uncommon, especially in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We described three cases of graft bifurcation intervention where we tailored our approach based on lesion characteristics, anatomy, and angulation to achieve excellent angiographic and clinical outcomes. In case 1, shared ostia of saphenous vein graft (SVG) to Diagonal (D) and Radial graft to Obtuse Marginal (OM) was severely stenosed. We prioritized the radial arterial graft as it is known to have a longer patency rate over a totally occluded SVG of an undetermined period. We performed provisional stenting of the ostium of the radial artery and balloon angioplasty of the SVG ostium, while stenting the body of the SVG. In case 2 (bifurcation lesion at the anastomosis of SVG to D1 and sequential jump graft to OM), we utilized a V stenting strategy after an embolization protection device (EPD) was deployed in the branch with a suitable landing zone. Kissing balloon dilatation of both the branches was performed both pre- and poststenting. In case 3 (bifurcation lesion at SVG to OM and Sequential "T" graft to diagonal), there was >90% angulation between both the grafts. We used "T" stenting strategy in this case. At 2-year follow-up, patients had no major adverse cardiovascular events since and remained symptom free.

Improvement of symptoms and coronary perfusion gradient with mechanical left ventricular unloading in flow-limiting complex spontaneous coronary artery dissection, without revascularization.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can lead to acute coronary syndrome and sudden cardiac death, particularly in young women. Observational data show that, in SCAD patients, both percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting seem to be hampered by higher technical complexity, lower success rates, and worse outcomes. As spontaneous healing is a common occurrence, expert consensus advices medical management of the acute phase, when feasible. We present the case of a young woman with SCAD of left anterior descending artery causing myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation. High-anatomical complexity and unstable conditions of the patient made both medical management and immediate revascularization unfeasible options. Therefore, we decided to implant a percutaneous off-loading mechanical support device to improve coronary perfusion pressure by unloading the left ventricle and preserve cardiac function, preventing worse complications of acute myocardial infarction. This strategy was successful in stabilizing the patient, until the definitive revascularization treatment became an option.

Impact of target vessel choice on outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with a prior coronary artery bypass graft.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare characteristics and clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among target vessel types in patients with a prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. BACKGROUND: Patients with a prior CABG often require repeat revascularization with PCI. Graft PCI has been associated with worse outcomes compared to native vessel PCI, yet the optimal PCI strategy in prior CABG patients remains unknown. METHODS: We stratified prior CABG patients who underwent PCI at a tertiary-care center between 2009 and 2017 by target vessel type: native vessel, venous graft, and arterial graft. The primary outcome of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, or target vessel revascularization up to 1 year post-PCI. RESULTS: Prior CABG patients (n = 3983) represented 19.5% of all PCI interventions during the study period. PCI was most frequently performed on native vessels (n = 2928, 73.5%) followed by venous (n = 883, 22.2%) and arterial grafts (n = 172, 4.3%). Procedural success and complications were similar among the groups; however, slow- and no-reflow phenomenon was more common in venous graft PCI compared to native vessel PCI (OR 4.78; 95% CI 2.56-8.95; p < 0.001). At 1 year, there were no significant differences in MACE or in its individual components. CONCLUSIONS: Target vessel choice did not appear to affect MACE at 1 year in a large cohort of patients with prior CABG undergoing PCI. Whether PCI of surgical grafts versus native arteries truly results in similar outcomes warrants further investigation in randomized controlled trials.

Usefulness of the updated logistic clinical SYNTAX score after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery: Insights from the GLOBAL LEADERS trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the prognostic utility of the anatomical CABG SYNTAX and logistic clinical SYNTAX scores for mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). BACKGROUND: The anatomical SYNTAX score evaluated the anatomical complexity of coronary artery disease and helped predict the prognosis of patients undergoing PCI. The anatomical CABG SYNTAX score was derived from the anatomical SYNTAX score in patients with prior CABG, whilst the logistic clinical SYNTAX score was developed by incorporating clinical factors into the anatomical SYNTAX score. METHODS: We calculated the anatomical CABG SYNTAX score and logistic clinical SYNTAX score in 205 patients in the GLOBAL LEADERS trial. The predictive abilities of these scores for 2-year all-cause mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Using the median scores as categorical thresholds between low and high score groups, the logistic clinical SYNTAX score was able to discriminate the risk of 2-year mortality, unlike the anatomical CABG SYNTAX score. The logistic clinical SYNTAX was significantly better at predicting 2-year mortality, compared to the anatomical CABG SYNTAX score, as evidenced by AUC values in receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis (0.806 vs. 0.582, p < .001) and integrated discrimination improvement (0.121, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The logistic clinical SYNTAX score was superior to the anatomical CABG SYNTAX score in predicting 2-year mortality.

Hybrid coronary revascularization versus coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) compared to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD). BACKGROUND: HCR involves a combination of surgical and percutaneous techniques, which in selected patients may present an alternative to conventional CABG. METHODS: Databases were searched through June 30, 2016, and studies comparing HCR with CABG for treatment of MVCAD were selected. We calculated summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs with the random-effects model. The primary outcome of interest was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as a composite of all cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke. RESULTS: The analysis included 2,245 patients from 8 studies (1 randomized controlled trial and 7 observational studies). The risk of MACCE with HCR and CABG were 3.6% and 5.4%, respectively (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.24-1.16). Compared to CABG group, patients in HCR group had similar risk of all cause mortality (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.38-1.88), myocardial infarction (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.31-1.64), stroke (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.23-1.20), and repeat revascularization (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.58-2.83). The need for postoperative blood transfusions (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.14-0.59) and hospital stay (weighted mean difference -1.20 days; 95% CI -1.52 to -0.88 days) was significantly lower in the HCR group. CONCLUSION: HCR appears to be safe, and has similar outcomes when compared with conventional CABG. HCR can be a suitable alternative to conventional CABG in select patients with MVCAD. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Antiplatelet drug selection in PCI to vein grafts in patients with acute coronary syndrome and adverse clinical outcomes: Insights from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society database.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate outcomes associated with different P2Y12 agents in Saphenous Vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: SVG PCI is associated with greater risks of ischemic complications, compared with native coronary PCI. Outcomes associated with the use of potent P2Y12 blocking drugs, Prasugrel and Ticagrelor, in SVG PCI are unknown. METHODS: Patients included in the study underwent SVG PCI in the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2014 for acute coronary syndrome and were grouped by P2Y12 antiplatelet use. In-hospital major adverse cardiac events, major bleeding and 30-day and 1-year mortality were examined. Multiple imputations with chained equations to impute missing data were used. Adjustment for baseline imbalances was performed using (1) multiple logistic regression (MLR) and (separately) (2) propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: Data weres analyzed from 8,119 patients and most cases were treated with Clopidogrel (n = 7,401), followed by Ticagrelor (n = 497) and Prasugrel (n = 221). In both MLR and PSM models, there was no significant evidence to suggest that either Prasugrel or Ticagrelor was associated with significantly lower 30-day mortality compared with Clopidogrel. The odds ratios reported from the multivariable analysis were 1.22 (95% CI: 0.60-2.51) for Prasugrel vs. Clopidogrel and 0.48 (95% CI: 0.20-1.16) for Ticagrelor vs. Clopidogrel. No significant differences were seen for in-hospital ischemic or bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: Our real world national study provides no clear evidence to indicate that use of potent P2Y12 blockers in SVG PCI is associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Exercise-induced saphenous vein graft spasm prevented by stenting.

Recurrence of anginal symptoms following coronary artery bypass surgery is usually secondary to graft closure or progression of native vessel disease. The present case demonstrates severe exercise-induced saphenous vein graft (SVG) spasm associated with transmural ischemia refractory to maximal vasodilator therapy. Symptoms resolved and exercise electrocardiography normalized following stenting of SVG regions demonstrating spasm. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Circumflex coronary artery injury after mitral valve surgery: A report of four cases and comprehensive review of the literature.

As the LCx is closely related to the mitral valve annulus, it is susceptible to perioperative injury. Various underlying mechanisms, predisposing factors, and therapeutic strategies have been suggested but disagreement exists. Using a MeSH terms-based PubMed search, 44 cases of mitral valve surgery-related LCx injury were detected, including our 4 cases. We provide a comprehensive review of current knowledge regarding mitral valve surgery-related left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) injury. Preoperative coronary angiography was performed in 55% (n = 24). Coronary abnormalities were present in 11% (n = 5). Coronary dominance was reported in 73% (n = 32), predominantly showing left (69%, n = 22) or balanced (19%, n = 6) circulations. Right coronary dominance was present in 12% (n = 4). Ischemia was detected in the perioperative or early postoperative phase in 86% (n = 30). Delayed symptoms were present in 14% (n = 5). Echocardiography demonstrated new regional wall motion abnormalities in 80% (n = 24), but was negative in 20% (n = 6) despite coronary compromise. Electrocardiography showed myocardial ischemia in 97% (n = 34), including regional ST-segment elevations in 68% (n = 23). Primary treatment was surgical in 42% (n = 15) and percutaneous in 58% (n = 21), reporting success ratios of 87% (n = 13) and 81% (n = 17), respectively. We confirm an augmented risk of mitral valve surgery-related LCx injury in balanced or left-dominant coronary circulations. Preoperative knowledge of coronary anatomy does not preclude LCx injury. An anomalous LCx arising from the right coronary cusp was identified as a possible specific high-risk entity. Electrocardiographic monitoring and intraoperative echocardiography remain paramount to ensure a timely diagnosis and treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Retrograde approach to an ostial left anterior descending chronic total occlusion through a left internal mammary artery graft.

Retrograde approach to chronic total occlusions (CTO) has been described via saphenous vein grafts, septal and epicardial collaterals. We report for the first time a successful retrograde approach to an ostial left anterior descending (LAD) artery CTO through a failed left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to LAD anastamosis. This case demonstrates the technical aspects of using a LIMA conduit as a retrograde approach to CTO. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Simultaneous hybrid revascularization by bilateral carotid stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting.

Management of patient with concomitant severe coronary and carotid artery disease is challenging. The combined or staged surgical revascularization is burdened by a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been recently introduced as an alternative revascularization approach. We describe a case of simultaneous hybrid revascularization by CAS followed by immediate coronary artery bypass graft in a patient with a severe coronary artery disease and bilateral carotid artery stenosis.

Coronary CTA Would Facilitate Invasive Angiography in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome and Coronary Bypass Grafting History.

Background: The uncertainties of grafts' ostium and patency would cause prolonged procedure/fluoroscopy time and extra contrast agent consumption of the invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) history. This study was conducted to evaluate whether the identification of grafts' ostium and patency by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) could facilitate ICA procedure. Methods: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and CABG history who underwent ICA during hospitalization were enrolled. The patients were divided into the CTA-ICA group and the direct ICA group according to whether a coronary CTA was performed before ICA. The complete direct ICA was defined by successful selective angiography of all recorded grafts. The procedure/fluoroscopy time and contrast agent consumption of ICA were compared. Results: There were 14 patients in the CTA-ICA group and 24 patients in the direct ICA group. In the direct ICA group, twelve cases were conducted complete ICA. The CTA-ICA group had reduced procedure time (17.8 ± 7.1 vs. 25.9 ± 15.4 min, p = 0.03) and fluoroscopy time (fluor-time; 4.6 ± 2.3 vs. 9.8 ± 5.3 min, p < 0.01), and less contrast agent consumption (30.4 ± 5.6 vs. 49.8 ± 20.9 ml, p < 0.01) than the direct ICA group. In a subgroup analysis, the incomplete direct ICA had the longest procedure time (32.8 ± 16.5 min) or fluor-time (12.0 ± 5.5 min) and the most contrast agent consumption (58.3 ± 25.8 ml), whereas the difference between CTA-ICA and complete direct ICA groups was non-significant. Conclusion: The CTA would facilitate invasive angiography in patients with CABG by reducing procedure/fluoroscopy time and contrast agent consumption.

Medical therapy vs early revascularization in diabetics with chronic total occlusions: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Management of chronic total occlusions (CTO) in diabetics is challenging, with a recent trend towards early revascularization [ER: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and bypass grafting] instead of optimal medical therapy (OMT). We hypothesize that ER improves morbidity and mortality outcomes in diabetic patients with CTOs as compared to OMT. AIM: To determine the long term clinical outcomes and to compare morbidity and mortality between OMT and ER in diabetic patients with CTOs. METHODS: Potentially relevant published clinical trials were identified in Medline, Embase, chemical abstracts and Biosis (from start of the databases till date) and pooled hazard ratios (HR) computed using a random effects model, with significant P value < 0.05. Primary outcome of interest was all-cause death. Secondary outcomes included cardiac death, prompt revascularization (ER) or repeat myocardial infarction (MI). Due to scarcity of data, both Randomized control trials and observational studies were included. 4 eligible articles, containing 2248 patients were identified (1252 in OMT and 1196 in ER). Mean follow-up was 45-60 mo. RESULTS: OMT was associated with a higher all-cause mortality [HR: 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-3.26, P = 0.11] and cardiac mortality (HR: 1.68, 95%CI: 0.96-2.96, P = 0.07). Results were close to significance. The risk of repeat MI was almost the same in both groups (HR: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.61-1.54, P = 0.90). Similarly, patients assigned to OMT had a higher risk of repeat revascularization (HR: 1.62, 95%CI: 1.36-1.94, P < 0.00001). Sub-group analysis of OMT vs PCI demonstrated higher all-cause (HR: 1.98, 95%CI: 1.36-2.87, P = 0.0003) and cardiac mortality (HR: 1.87, 95%CI: 0.96-3.62, P = 0.06) in the OMT group. The risk of repeat MI was low in the OMT group vs PCI (HR: 0.53, 95%CI: 0.31-0.91, P = 0.02). Data on repeat revascularization revealed no difference between the two (HR: 1.00, 95%CI: 0.52-1.93, P = 1.00). CONCLUSION: In diabetic patients with CTO, there was a trend for improved outcomes with ER regarding all-cause and cardiac death as compared to OMT. These findings were reinforced with statistical significance on subgroup analysis of OMT vs PCI.

Left circumflex artery injury postmitral valve surgery, single center experience.

The left circumflex (LCX) artery is located close to the mitral valve (MV), making it susceptible to injury during MV surgery. We are reporting our experience in the diagnosis and management of this complication. We retrospectively reviewed our surgical and coronary angiography databases for patients with documented LCX artery injury during MV surgery between January 2000 and December 2016. The complication was associated with MV replacement (9/1313, 0.7%) but not MV repair (0/393, 0.0%). Eight patients (88.9%) were female and the mean age was 40.4 ±â€¯14.2 years. There was roughly similar distribution of left and right dominant coronary circulations (5 and 4 patients, respectively). Eight patients (88.9%) had ischemic changes on electrocardiogram and ventricular arrhythmias were documented on six patients (66.7%). Three patients (33.3%) were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention while six patients (66.7%) required redo surgery to graft the LCX artery. The 30-day mortality was high (33.3%). A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose this injury. At the moment, no consensus is available on the optimal treatment strategy. We propose percutaneous approach as the first option to spare the patients from undergoing open-heart surgery for the second time.

Long-term outcomes of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease presenting non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of data concerning the optimal revascularization in patients with mul- tivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) presenting non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). The aim was to evaluate long-term outcomes of patients with multivessel CAD presenting NSTE-ACS depending on the management after coronary angiography. METHODS: 3,166 patients with NSTE-ACS hospitalized between 2006 and 2014 were screened. After ex- clusions, 1,342 patients were enrolled with multivessel CAD and were divided depending on their man- agement after coronary angiography; the medical-only therapy group (n = 91), the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) group (n = 1,122), the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) group (n = 129). Propensity scores matching was used to adjust for differences in patient baseline characteristics. RESULTS: After propensity score analysis, 273 well-matched patients were chosen. Both before and after matching, patients treated with a medical-only therapy were burdened with the highest percentage of 24-month all-cause death and non-fatal MI in comparison to PCI and CABG groups, respectively. In the CABG group, ACS-driven revascularization rate was lowest. In the overall population, PCI (HR 0.33; 95% CI 0.20-0.53; p < 0.0001) and CABG (HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31-0.93; p = 0.028) were independent factors associated with favorable 24-month prognosis. However, in a matched population only PCI was an independent predictor of long-term prognosis with a 63% decrease of 24-month mortal- ity (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.19-0.69; p = 0.0020). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multivessel CAD presenting with NSTE-ACS, medical-only man- agement is related with adverse long-term prognosis in contrast to revascularization, which reduces 24-month mortality, especially among patients undergoing percutaneous intervention. Performance of PCI is an independent factor for improving long-term prognosis.