Successful off-pump coronary artery bypass for Behcet's disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Rheumatology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Behcet's disease is a rare systemic vasculitis.
• Coronary artery involvement in Behcet's disease is uncommon.
• Restenosed stents and crescendo angina necessitate surgical intervention.

Observation:

• A 66-year-old woman with a 30-year history of Behcet's disease presented with critical coronary artery disease.
• The patient had a history of stent restenosis and refractory angina.
• Surgical intervention was deemed necessary due to the severity of symptoms and disease progression.

Findings:

• Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal mammary arteries was successfully performed.
• Anastomoses were established to the left anterior descending and diagonal arteries.
• Postoperative angiography confirmed graft patency, and the patient experienced complete angina relief.

Implications:

• This case highlights the feasibility and success of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in managing complex coronary artery disease in patients with Behcet's disease.
• The use of bilateral internal mammary arteries demonstrates a viable surgical strategy for long-term graft patency.
• Further research into surgical outcomes for Behcet's disease patients is warranted.