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Routine coronary angiography prior to elective aortic reconstruction: results of selective myocardial

Insights

Routine screening with coronary angiography for severe coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing peripheral vascular reconstruction identified significant CAD prevalence. Myocardial revascularization before surgery improved outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Elective peripheral vascular reconstruction necessitates evaluation for severe coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Cleveland Clinic implemented routine coronary angiography for patients undergoing elective peripheral vascular reconstruction since 1978.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of severe, correctable CAD in patients undergoing elective peripheral vascular reconstruction.
  • To assess the impact of myocardial revascularization prior to vascular surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of patients undergoing elective aortic reconstruction (abdominal aortic aneurysms and aortoiliac disease).
  • Coronary angiography performed to identify severe CAD.
  • Patients with severe CAD underwent myocardial revascularization before vascular surgery.

Main Results:

  • Severe, correctable CAD was found in 23/68 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and 14/71 with aortoiliac (AI) disease who had clinical suspicion.
  • Severe CAD was also detected in 6/27 AAA patients and 6/45 AI patients without clinical suspicion.
  • Ninety-six patients underwent elective aortic reconstruction with only one operative death, including 26 with staged cardiac procedures.

Conclusions:

  • Routine coronary angiography is valuable for identifying severe CAD in patients undergoing elective peripheral vascular reconstruction.
  • Preoperative myocardial revascularization for severe CAD in this population is associated with low operative mortality.

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