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Published on: December 11, 2017
Revascularization surgery as a treatment concept for heart failure
J Ennker1, S Bauer, I C Ennker
1Mediclin Heart Institute Lahr/Baden, Lahr, Germany ; University Witten-Herdecke, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine.
Insights
Revascularization surgery improves outcomes for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and viable myocardium. Late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance accurately predicts functional recovery, guiding treatment decisions for heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy presents a poor prognosis for heart failure patients without effective treatment.
- Coronary artery revascularization is an established treatment for patients with viable ischemic myocardium.
- Predicting regional functional recovery is crucial for assessing myocardial viability and guiding revascularization indications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance in assessing myocardial viability.
- To discuss the predictors of survival and the impact of various revascularization strategies.
- To explore advancements in surgical techniques and medical therapies for ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance to assess myocardial scar burden.
- Analyzing studies on predictors of survival and graft selection in revascularization surgery.
- Reviewing conventional, off-pump, minimal extracorporeal circulation, and hybrid revascularization approaches.
Main Results:
- The transmural extent of myocardial scar, as determined by late gadolinium enhancement, predicts segmental functional recovery.
- Coronary artery revascularization has demonstrated superiority in patients with poor left ventricular function.
- Various surgical and medical strategies exist, with ongoing improvements in techniques and outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance is the gold standard for assessing myocardial viability and guiding revascularization in ischemic cardiomyopathy.
- Surgical revascularization, including advanced techniques, offers significant benefits for selected patients.
- Future directions focus on less invasive, safer coronary artery bypass grafting and novel therapeutic approaches.
Abstract:
Patients with heart failure symptoms due to ischemic cardiomyopathy face a poor prognosis without adequate treatment. In these patients with viable ischemic myocardium, revascularization surgery is not a new but an established treatment concept. the CASS study, published in 1983, was already able to document the superiority of coronary artery revascularization in patients with poor left ventricular function. It is of utmost importance to predict regional functional recovery in order to assess viability and, thus, the indication for revascularization. Late gadoliniium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance is the new gold standard. By applying this technique, it can be demonstrated that the transmural extent of a scar predicts segmental functional recovery. Numerous studies describe the predictors of survival of surgical revascularization, the indication and impact of medical antiarrhythmic treatment or choice of graft. In addition to conventional surgery, off-pump procedures, minimal extracorporeal circulation and hybrid revascularization have a special role in the treatment of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Surgical techniques and medical therapies continue to improve. The future revascularization in these patients will focus on improving results and making coronary artery bypass grafting for elective revascularization less invasive and safer. Technical evolution, including the use of robotics and anastomotic connectors, intraoperative imaging and protein enzyme therapies, have to be defined concerning their special impact in these patients.
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