Coronary artery surgery: the end of the beginning

In each of the first three decades of myocardial revascularization, conventional treatment has been revised completely. This lecture comments on three areas of discovery that have shaped the evolution of myocardial revascularization: science, technology development, and revascularization. The discoveries in all three areas are inexorably interrelated. The single greatest lesson learned so far is that conduit performance carries more prognostic weight than any other factor. We have observed that vein graft atherosclerosis is predictable, and that the first-generation lipid lowering drugs have a favorable effect in patients who achieve marked LDL reduction. Biologically better revascularization begins with use of the internal thoracic artery for grafting to the anterior descending coronary artery. As the results of internal thoracic artery grafting are widely reported, arterial bypass revascularization has expanded, notably by radial and gastroepiploic arteries. The results of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting are discussed, including large-scale registry results of internal thoracic artery usage in the United States. The internal thoracic artery is significantly underutilized. Diabetes affects both endoluminal and surgical revascularization. The new pharmacology in cardiology interventions shows promise in diminishing restenosis and thrombosis even in diabetic patients. Conversely, extended internal thoracic artery grafting may also benefit diabetic patients. Now we are entering a new age of minimally invasive coronary surgery. We have passed through the early stages of mini-thoracotomy, and we are moving on to access through 1-cm ports, intrathoracic cannulation, antegrade and retrograde myocardial protection, and computer guided three-dimensional vision and instrumentation. The potential for robotic control adds greater precision, ease of use, and safety. This new technology will be integrated with diagnostic information, intraoperative monitoring, anesthesia and perfusion data, cost accounting, and surgical note transcription. The operating room of the future will package intraoperative information and is adaptable to all surgical specialties. The future of coronary artery surgery will depend on minimally invasive techniques, all-arterial grafting, and selective lipid modification to reduce progressive atherosclerosis. The conclusion of this decade marks the end of the beginning. The new generation of cardiothoracic surgeons will share in an array of technology and research unmatched in previous decades.