Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
Minimally Invasive Multivessel Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using Total Coronary Revascularization via Left
Christian Sellin1, Marius Grossmann1, Ahmed Belmenai1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart-Thorax Center, Klinikum Fulda, University Medicine Marburg, Campus Fulda, 36043 Fulda, Germany.
Background:
A sternum-sparing approach of minimally invasive total coronary revascularization via left anterior thoracotomy (TCRAT) demonstrated favorable early and midterm results in unselected patients with coronary artery multivessel disease. However, safety and outcomes in elderly patients remain less well defined. Particularly in octogenarians with relevant comorbidities, data are scarce, and the role of TCRAT compared to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate in-hospital and midterm outcomes of TCRAT in patients aged ≥ 80 years.
Method:
From 11/2019 to 10/2025, CABG via left anterior minithoracotomy on cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest was performed as a routine procedure in 859 consecutive, nonemergency patients. Among them, 82 patients (9.5%) were octogenarians, all presenting with multivessel coronary artery disease.
Results:
In the group of octogenarians, mean BMI was 26.5 ± 3.1 kg/m2, left ventricular ejection fraction was 49.2 ± 9.1% (range 20-55%), and mean EuroSCORE II was 5.1 ± 2.4. Comorbidities included diabetes mellitus (24.4%), chronic lung disease (7.3%), prior PCI (23.2%), and peripheral vascular disease (78.5%). The mean follow-up (100%) was 9.1 months. Left internal thoracic artery was used in 98.8% and radial artery was used in 43.9%. A mean of 3.0 ± 0.9 (range 2-5) anastomoses per patient was performed. Total operation time was 299 ± 64 min (range 164-480). In-hospital mortality was 1.2%, stroke rate was 1.2%, myocardial infarction rate was 0%, and repeat revascularization rate was 1.2%. At follow-up, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stroke were 4.9%, 0%, 2.4%, and 1.2%, respectively. The overall major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events rate (MACCE) was 7.3% at follow-up.
Conclusion:
TCRAT enables complete coronary artery revascularization in multivessel coronary artery disease without sternotomy and can be safely performed in octogenarians. Both in-hospital and midterm outcomes were favorable and comparable to reported contemporary outcomes of conventional CABG in elderly patients.
