Coronary artery bypass surgery for acute coronary syndrome: A network meta-analysis of on-pump cardioplegic arrest, off-pump, and on-pump beating heart strategies

Coronary artery bypass grafting in acute coronary syndromes: modern indications and approaches

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 1.2 million hospitalizations annually in the U.S. This review aims to explore the contemporary evidence regarding revascularization strategies, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in ACS patients. It also addresses the unresolved questions concerning the optimal procedural aspects of surgery and antithrombotic therapy for secondary prevention postsurgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies highlight that while PCI is generally preferred for its timeliness in high-risk non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) patients, CABG offers a benefit in terms of cardiovascular events in those with multivessel disease, particularly in the presence of diabetes and higher coronary disease complexity. For ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), CABG is less frequently utilized due to the preference for primary PCI, but it remains crucial for patients with complex anatomy or failed PCI. Furthermore, the optimal timing and type of antiplatelet therapy post-CABG remain controversial, with current evidence supporting the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to reduce ischemic events but necessitating careful management to balance bleeding risks.

SUMMARY

In patients with ACS, the choice between PCI and CABG depends on the complexity of coronary disease and patient comorbidities. CABG is particularly beneficial for multivessel disease in NSTE-ACS and specific STEMI cases where PCI is not feasible. The management of antiplatelet therapy postsurgery requires a nuanced approach to minimize bleeding risks while preventing thrombotic complications. Further randomized clinical trials are needed to solidify these findings and guide clinical practice.

Acute stroke in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in acute coronary syndrome: Predictors and outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a high-risk procedure and is associated with adverse outcomes. The risk factors of acute stroke in the above-mentioned patients stay unclear and some appropriate data is lacking in the literature. Thus, we aimed to investigate the predictors of acute stroke in patients undergoing CABG surgery in ACS.

METHODS

The retrospective single-centre cohort analysis was conducted. All patients (n = 1344) who suffered from acute coronary syndrome and underwent CABG procedure at the University hospital Cologne from June 2011 until October 2019 were included in our study. In order to find the risk factors of acute stroke after bypass surgery, patients were divided into two groups (non-stroke group (n = 1297) and stroke group (n = 47)). In order to even above-mentioned groups propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed (non-stroke group (n = 46) and stroke group (n = 46).

RESULTS

Duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (p = .015) and cross clamp time (p = .006) were significantly longer in patients who suffered stroke. Perioperative myocardial infarction was significantly higher (p = .030) in the stroke group. Likewise, the duration of intensive care unit stay (p < .001) and in-hospital stay (p < .001) were significantly longer in patients with stroke. However, the mortality rate did not differ significantly (p = .131) between above-mentioned groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed cardiogenic shock (p = .003), peripheral vascular disease (PVD, p = .025) and previous stroke (p = .045) as relevant independent predictors for acute stroke after CABG procedure in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, acute stroke after bypass surgery in patients with ACS is associated with increased mortality and adverse outcomes. Cardiogenic shock, peripheral vascular disease and previous stroke were independent predictors of stroke after CABG procedure. Therefore, preoperative evaluation of potential risk factors may be crucial to improve postoperative results.

Clinical predictors of coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients hospitalized for Non-ST acute coronary syndrome - Buenos Aires I and ReSCAR22 registries

Objectives

To identify predictors of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) requirement as a revascularization method in in real-world non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients.

Materials and methods

. An individual pre-specified analysis of patients with NSTE-ACS was performed from two prospective Argentine registries between 2017 and 2022. We analyzed the difference in baseline characteristics between patients who required CABG and those who did not require this intervention. Then, a logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors in patients who received CABG as a method of revascularization.

Results

A total of 1848 patients with a median age of 54.8 (interquartile range [IQR]: 53.7-56) years and an ejection fraction of 42.1% (IQR: 41.2-43.1) were included. A total of 233 patients required CABG (12.6%). Baseline characteristics between the two groups were similar, except in patients requiring CABG, who were younger (51.5 vs. 55.7 years; p=0.010), more frequently diabetic (38.2% vs. 25.7%; p=0.001) and male (90.1% vs. 73.7%; p=0.001). In addition, they had, to a lesser extent, previous cardiac surgery (2.1% vs. 11.2%; p=0.011). After multivariable analysis, the following were independently associated with CABG: age (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98-0.99; p=0.008), male sex (OR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.87-5.1; p=0.001), history of previous CABG (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05-0.30; p=0.001) and diabetes (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.31- 2.57; p=0.001).

Conclusions

In this analysis of two NSTEACS registries, younger age, male sex, a diagnosis of diabetes and the absence of previous surgery were independent predictors of the requirement for inpatient CABG.

Revascularization and Left Ventricular Dysfunction for ICD Eligibility

Common triggers for sudden cardiac death (SCD) are transient ischemia, hemodynamic fluctuations, neurocardiovascular influences, and environmental factors. SCD occurs rapidly when sinus rhythm degenerates into ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or ventricular fibrillation (VF), followed by asystole. Such progressive worsening of the cardiac rhythm is in most cases observed in the setting of ischemic heart disease and often associated with advanced left ventricular (LV) impairment. Revascularization prevents negative outcomes including SCD and heart failure (HF) due to LV dysfunction (LVD). The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) on top of medical therapy is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs for patients with LVD and VT/VF. The beneficial effects of ICD have been demonstrated in primary prevention of SCD as well. However, yet debated is the temporal management for patients with LVD who are eligible to ICD prior to revascularization, either through percutaneous or surgical approach. Restoration of coronary blood flow has a dramatic impact on adverse LV remodeling, while it requires aggressive long-term antiplatelet therapy, which might increase complication for eventual ICD procedure when percutaneous strategy is pursued; on the other hand, when LV and/or multiorgan dysfunction is present and coronary artery bypass grafting is chosen, the overall risk is augmented, mostly in HF patients. The aims of this review are to describe the pathophysiologic benefits of revascularization, the studies addressing percutaneous, surgical or no revascularization and ICD implantation, as well as emerging defibrillation strategies for patients deemed at transient risk of SCD and/or at higher risk for transvenous ICD implantation.

The Best Way to Deal Is with Cold Steel…Is It?-Ways of Dealing with Age and Ageing in Cardiac Surgery

Everyone knows from their own experience what ageing means [...].