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The Impact of COVID-19 on Graft Vasculopathy and Postoperative Thromboembolism in CABG Patients: A Prospective
İlknur Şahin1, Şebnem Batur2, Ahmet Üstündağ3
1Basaksehir Cam Ve Sakura City Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Patients with a mild history of COVID-19 can safely undergo Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery after a four-week recovery. Early postoperative vascular outcomes, including graft patency and inflammation, showed no significant differences compared to patients without a COVID-19 history.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- COVID-19 can cause endothelial dysfunction and coagulation issues, potentially impacting graft patency in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG).
- Assessing the long-term vascular effects of COVID-19 on CABG patients is crucial for surgical planning and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the vasculitic effects of a prior COVID-19 infection in patients undergoing CABG surgery.
- To compare early postoperative vascular outcomes between CABG patients with and without a history of mild COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 94 patients (34 with prior mild COVID-19, 60 without) scheduled for CABG were included.
- Patients with COVID-19 history had surgery at least 4 weeks post-recovery.
- Vascular grafts were pathologically evaluated for vasculitis/inflammation, and thromboembolic events were monitored.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in vein thrombosis/thrombophlebitis between the groups (p=0.626).
- Pathological examination revealed no signs of vasculitis or inflammation in grafts from either group.
- Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were comparable between patients with and without a history of COVID-19 (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
- Undergoing CABG surgery at least four weeks after mild COVID-19 recovery appears safe regarding early vascular outcomes.
- A history of mild COVID-19 does not significantly increase the risk of early graft complications or adverse surgical outcomes.
Abstract:
It is known that COVID-19 patients may experience endothelial cell inflammation, apoptosis, dysfunction, and systemic coagulation disorders. In CABG operations, graft patency plays a crucial role in survival and morbidity. Thrombosis and endothelial cell inflammation in grafts can pose challenges for CABG candidates with a history of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the vasculitic effects of a history of COVID-19 among CABG patients. A total of 94 consecutive patients, including 34 with a history of COVID-19 and 60 without, who were scheduled for CABG at our clinic, were included in the study after informed consent was obtained. Patients with a history of COVID-19 underwent surgery at least 4 weeks after the recovery of infection. Thromboembolic events were monitored throughout the hospital stay, and vascular grafts obtained during surgery were pathologically evaluated for signs of vasculitis and inflammation. All COVID-19 (n = 34) cases were mild. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the groups regarding vein thrombosis/thrombophlebitis (p = 0.626). Additionally, pathological evaluation showed no signs of vasculitis or inflammation. There were also no significant differences in postoperative mortality and morbidity between the two groups (p > 0.05). Based on our findings, undergoing CABG surgery after a four-week recovery period appears to be safe for patients with a history of mild COVID-19, at least in terms of early postoperative vascular outcomes.
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