PRO: Preoperative coronary revascularization in high-risk patients undergoing vascular surgery

Long-Term Results of the Treatment of Patients With Chronic Ischemia of the Lower Limbs in Combination With Ischemic Heart Disease

Aim      To compare long-term outcomes of x-ray endovascular (percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI, and lower limb angioplasty with stent placement, LLA; group 1) and combination treatments (PCI and open LLA surgery; group 2) in patients with chronic lower limb ischemia (CLLI) associated with ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Material and methods  This retrospective study has been conducted in the Vishnevsky National Medical Research Center of Surgery since 2019. The study includes 92 patients with stage 2B CLLI associated with IHD who were managed from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2020. Long-term outcomes were evaluated in 76 (82.6 %) patients. The endpoint was severe cardiovascular complications (CVC), including death, myocardial infarction, and acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD).

Results In group 1 during the long-term period, 1 (2.7%) fatal outcome due to pneumonia was observed. In group 2, 4 (10 %) patients died: 1 (2.5 %) patient due to ACVD, 1 (2.5 %) patient due to progression of oncological process, and 2 2 (5 %) patients due to COVID-19. Also, 2 (5.5 %) and 1 (2.5 %) cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were observed in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.61).

Conclusion      In the x-ray endovascular (group1) and the combination (group 2) intervention groups, lethal outcomes due to myocardial infarction were absent. This fact confirms the importance of PCI in patients with CLLI for prevention of possible ACS in the long-term. Both therapeutic tactics in managing CLLI patients with IHD demonstrated high safety and clinical efficacy during the hospital and long-term periods and can be extensively used in routine clinical practice.

Coronary risk in candidates for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a word of caution

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines do not recommend routine coronary evaluation preceding abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) repair in low-risk patients. The purpose of the present study is to report the incidence of coronary lesions in candidates for AAA repair with a Revised Cardiac Risk (Lee) Index (RCRI) < 2, which are usually excluded from preoperative cardiological work-up. Early-term and long-term results of prophylactic myocardial revascularization are also reported.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational, cohort study collecting clinical data on a series of 149 consecutive patients undergoing preoperative coronary angiography and myocardial revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI; coronary artery bypass grafting, CABG) before elective open or endovascular AAA repair (January 2005-December 2012).

RESULTS

Severe coronary artery disease (CAD) was revealed in 43 patients (28.9%), who underwent successful myocardial revascularization by means of PCI (n.35) or off-pump CABG (n.8). The incidence of severe CAD in patients resulted at low risk on the basis of risk models was approximately 25%. The incidence of severe CAD in asymptomatic patients was 29.8%. Endovascular (n.52, 35.1%) and open (n.96, 64.9%) AAA repair was performed with low morbidity (0.6%) and mortality (0.6%) in 148 patients. The long-term estimated survival (freedom from fatal cardiovascular events) was 97% at 60 months and 82% at 90 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of severe correctable CAD is not negligible in low-risk patients scheduled for AAA repair. Waiting for further recommendations based on large population studies of vascular patients, a more extensive indication to coronary angiography and revascularization should be considered in many candidates for AAA repair.

Risk to and resilience of the coronary heart disease patient during surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Three topics are at the forefront of the investigation and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing major noncardiac surgery: prophylactic perioperative beta-blockade (PPBB), prophylactic statins and prophylactic preoperative coronary revascularization (PCR). The purpose of the review is to summarize the investigational efforts in each one of these fields and to provide a subjective evaluation as to their impact on perioperative patient care.

RECENT FINDINGS

The data on PPBB are still controversial. Most recent studies are observational with contradicting results on whether PPBB improves perioperative survival and whether chronic beta-blockade is better than beta-blockers added acutely postoperatively. The data on statins are still evolving and the main question remains whether the proven long-term pleiotrophic, plaque-stabilizing effects of statins translate into measurable improvements in hard outcome in the acute, perioperative setting. The data on PCR are also incomplete. The study that previously reported lack of any perioperative benefit to PCR now provides data that in selected patients PCR may nevertheless improve outcome.

SUMMARY

These topics demonstrate how difficult it is to prove a significant change in outcome in high-risk CAD patients by prophylactic preoperative measures and that there is no alternative to clinical judgment and individualized patient care.