Preoperative percutaneous coronary intervention in patients undergoing open thoracoabdominal and descending thoracic...

Current guidelines have recommended against coronary revascularization before noncardiac surgery in patients with asymptomatic coronary artery disease. However, myocardial infarction after thoracic aneurysm (TA) repair dramatically increases the morbidity and mortality. Revascularization with coronary artery bypass grafting before TA repair minimizes the incidence of perioperative ischemia. However, the recovery can be prolonged, and a percentage of patients will either never return for aneurysm repair or will develop a rupture during convalescence. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before TA repair might be preferable. Previous studies examining PCI before major vascular surgery included few patients with TAs. We examined the outcomes of patients undergoing PCI before TA repair.

From 1997 to 2012, 592 patients underwent TA repair. Patients presenting for elective repair underwent cardiac catheterization before surgery. Those with significant single- or double-vessel coronary artery disease underwent PCI. The perioperative outcomes were examined and compared with those of patients undergoing TA repair without revascularization.

A total of 44 patients (7.4%) underwent PCI with bare metal stents before surgery. No PCI-related complications occurred. Dual antiplatelet therapy was administered for 4 to 6 weeks. No instances of aneurysm rupture occurred in the interval between PCI and surgery. The incidence of stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and mortality for those undergoing PCI was 0. No bleeding complications occurred.

PCI is safe and efficacious in patients undergoing TA repair. Aneurysm rupture did not occur in the interval before surgery. Antiplatelet therapy did not increase the risk of bleeding complications. Stent thrombosis was not seen. We recommend PCI those with significant single- or double-vessel coronary artery disease before elective TA repair.