Minimally invasive total arterial off-pump coronary revascularization: A reproducible technique

Can Minimally Invasive Multivessel Coronary Revascularization Be a Routine Approach?

BACKGROUND

Advancement in the field of cardiovascular surgery has emerged with various minimally invasive approaches for the treatment of multivessel coronary disease to improve outcomes and minimize the burden associated with conventional cardiac surgery. This study describes our routine technical approach and clinical experience of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass via left anterior minithoracotomy for the treatment of patients with multivessel coronary lesions.

METHODS

Our experience includes 100 consecutive patients who were operated between July 2020 and April 2021. The left internal thoracic artery was harvested in all patients. Radial arterial grafts and saphenous vein grafts were harvested endoscopically. Patients were operated either under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with blood cardioplegia through left anterior minithoracotomy of 5 to 7 cm or off-pump via left anterolateral minithoracotomy.

RESULTS

We had single mortality (1%), no early postoperative myocardial infarction was observed. None of our patients was converted to sternotomy (0%). The mean number of bypass was 3.1 ± 0.8, the mean cross-clamping time was 78.1 ± 20.6 minutes, the mean CPB time was 153.2 ± 37.5 minutes, the average intubation time was 6.33 ± 11.29 hours, the mean intensive care unit stay was 1.62 ± 1.78 days, the mean hospital stay was 4.98 ± 3.01 days, the average total operation time was 4.20 ± 0.92 hours, and the average pleural drain was 393.8 ± 169.7 mL.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting via left anterior minithoracotomy can be routinely performed with safety and it is feasible, reproducible with a short learning curve. Further multicenter studies are needed for the standardization of our technique.

Predictors and outcomes of conversion to sternotomy in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting

Background

This study aims to investigate the risk factors and surgical outcomes of conversion to median sternotomy in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods

Between January 2017 and July 2022, a total of 274 patients (246 males, 28 females; mean age: 57.0±9.6 years; range, 33 to 81 years) who underwent conventional (n=116) or robot-assisted (n=158) minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome measure of the study was conversion to median sternotomy, and the secondary outcome measures were operative mortality, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay.

Results

Conversion to median sternotomy was required in 26 (9.5%) patients. The most common cause of conversion was intramyocardial left anterior descending artery (27.0%). Among preoperative and operative characteristics, only age was statistically significant risk factor for conversion to sternotomy (odds ratio=1.06, p=0.01). Operative mortality occurred in one patient (0.36%) patient in the entire cohort. The length of intensive care unit and hospital stay was significantly longer in patients requiring conversion to median sternotomy (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in other postoperative outcomes between the two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Intramyocardial left anterior descending artery is the most common reason for conversion to sternotomy, and older age increases the risk of conversion. Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed with satisfactory results, even if it requires conversion to sternotomy.

Less invasive multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting: now is the time

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Less invasive multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting techniques have seen a progressive evolution over the last two decades. In their current state, they are easily reproduced and applicable to most patients requiring multivessel revascularization. The purpose of this review is to highlight their importance among a spectrum of evolving therapies and the accruing evidence in their favour.

RECENT FINDINGS

The first large dual center experience with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) demonstrated the feasibility of performing multivessel surgical revascularization without the need for sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass. Subsequent angiographic studies to assess graft patency showed excellent early results. Studies comparing MICS CABG to conventional CABG demonstrate faster recovery while reducing hospitalization and cost.

SUMMARY

Multivessel less invasive coronary artery bypass grafting is basically limited to two procedures, MICS CABG and robotically assisted totally endoscopic CABG (TECAB). MICS CABG has evolved as a procedure that preserves the safety and efficacy of conventional CABG while avoiding the associated morbidity. It is reproducible, versatile and holds promise as the procedure of choice for multivessel coronary revascularization in the future. TECAB is likely the pinnacle of minimally invasive coronary surgery, the growth of which is hindered by widespread acceptance and industry involvement.

MICS CABG: a single-center experience of the first 100 cases

PURPOSE

To study the learning curve and outcomes of the first 100 cases of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed at our center.

METHODS

From January 2017 to November 2019, a total of 100 patients underwent CABG via left anterior thoracotomy approach. We have studied the operative times within the MICS CABG patients to analyze our learning curve. We also studied the postoperative outcomes and compared these with those of patients who underwent sternotomy during the same period.

RESULTS

The mean age was 59.33 ± 9.95 (range 37-82) years. The numbers of males and females were 72 and 28 respectively. The preoperative average ejection fraction (EF) was 51.08 ± 9.75%. All these patients underwent CABG via left thoracotomy approach, after satisfying the exclusion criteria. All patients received left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending (LAD) as a standard graft, with the radial artery and saphenous vein being the next alternative conduits. The average length of the incision was 6.06 ± 0.45 cm. Only 2 cases were done on pump. The average number of grafts per patient was 2.33 ± 0.92. The mean operative time was 132.40 ± 11.56 min. The mean duration of ventilation was 4.79 ± 1.90 h and average intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 2.62 ± 0.84 days. There was one conversion and no mortalities in our study. We had analyzed our operative times and noticed a significant reduction after the first 20 cases, which was our learning curve.

CONCLUSION

MICS CABG can be performed for multivessel disease with the same comfort as for a single or a double vessel disease, once the learning curve has been achieved. Only significant difference from the sternotomy approach was noted in the longer operative times for MICS CABG during the learning curve, and not thereafter. Significant benefits of MICS over sternotomy were noticed in the immediate postoperative parameters like duration of ventilation, mean drainage, postoperative pain, ICU stay, and hospital stay, with no difference in postoperative adverse events.