Left anterior descending endarterectomy and internal thoracic artery bypass for diffuse coronary disease

I S Gill1, D S Beanlands, W D Boyd

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ontario, Canada.

Insights

Left internal thoracic artery bypass grafting combined with left anterior descending artery endarterectomy offers a beneficial approach for myocardial revascularization in selected patients, demonstrating good long-term patency and survival rates.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • The efficacy and safety of arterial conduits for bypassing endarterectomized coronary arteries require further definition.
  • Retrospective analysis of 74 patients undergoing left internal thoracic artery (LITA) bypass to endarterectomized left anterior descending (LAD) artery from 1989-1994.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the risk and efficacy of LITA bypass grafting combined with LAD endarterectomy.
  • To assess the long-term outcomes, including survival and graft patency, in patients undergoing this combined procedure.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 74 patients (60 male, 14 female; mean age 60.1 years).
  • Patients had a mean of 2.95 grafts, with 65% requiring multiple endarterectomies on a mean segment length of 3.1 cm.
  • Perioperative data included 25% totally occluded LAD, 45% ejection fraction, and 49 minutes average anoxia time.

Main Results:

  • 3 (4.0%) early and 4 (5.4%) late deaths occurred at a mean follow-up of 36 months.
  • Actuarial 5-year survival was 84.5%, with 14.7% experiencing recurrent angina.
  • Angiographic follow-up in 37.4% showed 74% anastomotic patency and preserved anterior segmental wall motion.

Conclusions:

  • LITA bypass with adjunctive LAD endarterectomy is a beneficial strategy for expanding myocardial revascularization scope.
  • This combined approach demonstrates acceptable long-term survival and graft patency in carefully selected patients.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Circulation01:21

Coronary Circulation

The heart, an organ critical to survival, gets nourishment not from the blood it pumps but from a separate circulation system known as coronary circulation. This is the shortest circulation in the body and is responsible for supplying the heart with the nutrients it needs to function effectively.
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization01:24

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization

Left heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function and structure of the left side of the heart. It is generally performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects.Diagnostic and therapeutic purposesLeft heart catheterization serves various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Assessing coronary artery bypass grafts.Evaluating coronary artery disease in...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:27

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...