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Coronary Endarterectomy: a Case Control Study and Evaluation of Early Patency Rate of Endarterectomized Arteries

Abstract

Objective:

To compare two groups of patients - the coronary endarterectomy group, with patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with coronary endarterectomy (CE), and the control group, with patients undergoing CABG without CE. We analyzed the rate of major outcomes (perioperative acute myocardial infarction [AMI], stroke, and mortality) and minor outcomes (time of cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB], time of aortic clamp, and postoperative length of hospital stay). We also determined the rates of early graft patency in patients undergoing CE.

Methods:

We reviewed a database of patients submitted to CABG, with or without associated CE, between January 2011 and June 2017. Twenty-five patients submitted to CE were compared with 201 patients submitted only to conventional surgery; the two groups presented similar preoperative characteristics and all the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II variables did not presented statistically significant difference. We considered statistically significant values of P< 0.05.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference in relation to time of post-surgical hospitalization (P=0.8139), incidence of perioperative AMI (P=0.2976), stroke (P=0,2976), and mortality rate (P=1.0000), but endarterectomy was associated with longer aortic clamping time (P=0.0004) and CPB time (P=0.0030). The rate of patency evaluated in patients submitted to endarterectomy (78,95%) was compatible with that described in the literature.

Conclusion:

In this sample, coronary endarterectomy was associated with the rate of early graft patency similar to that of the literature, with morbidity and mortality rates similar to those of conventional surgery.

Keywords:
Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Coronary Artery Bypass; Endarterectomy; Morbity; Myocardial Infarctation; Stroke; Length of Stay

Abbreviations, acronyms & symbols AMI = Acute myocardial infarction DM = Diabetes mellitus CABG = Coronary artery bypass grafting EuroSCORE = European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation CAD = Coronary artery disease LAD = Left anterior descending CCS = Canadian Cardiovascular Society LITA = Left internal thoracic artery CE = Coronary endarterectomy LV = Left ventricle CEG = Coronary endarterectomy group MGB = Marginal branch CG = Control group NYHA = New York Heart Association CPB = Cardiopulmonary bypass PDA = Posterior descending artery DAPT = Dual antiplatelet therapy RCA = Right coronary artery DGB = Diagonal branch DGsB = Diagonalis branch

INTRODUCTION

Surgical treatment is the standard procedure for patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), aiming at a complete myocardial revascularization[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
]. In patients with diffuse CAD, characterized by long threads affected by atherosclerosis, coronary endarterectomy (CE) may be necessary, with the purpose of obtaining a complete revascularization or facilitating the anastomosis of seriously calcified arteries[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
]. The factors that increase the likelihood of diffuse CAD include advanced age, prior percutaneous coronary intervention, and comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemias[33 Nishigawa K, Fukui T, Takanashi S. Coronary endarterectomy for the diffusely diseased coronary artery. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014;62(8):461-7. doi:10.1007/s11748-014-0414-x.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-014-0414-...

4 Schwann TA, Zacharias A, Riordan CJ, Durham SJ, Shah AS, Habib RH. Survival and graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy: role of arterial versus vein conduits. Ann Thorac Surg. 2007;84(1):25-31. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.02.053.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.200...
-55 Song Y, Xu F, Du J, Zhang J, Feng W. Coronary endarterectomy with coronary artery bypass graft decreases graft patency compared with isolated coronary artery bypass graft: a meta-analysis. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2017;25(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivx045.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivx045...
].

CE was introduced in the 1950s, as an optional treatment of severe atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia. Bailey et al. were the first to perform it, blindly using distal retrograde technique and without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). It was performed in an isolated way, since coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) would be developed only in the 1960s. In 1958, for the first time, Longmire et al. performed CE anterogradely, under direct vision (open endarterectomy)[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
,33 Nishigawa K, Fukui T, Takanashi S. Coronary endarterectomy for the diffusely diseased coronary artery. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014;62(8):461-7. doi:10.1007/s11748-014-0414-x.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-014-0414-...
,66 Asimakopoulos G, Taylor KM, Ratnatunga CP. Outcome of coronary endarterectomy: a case-control study. Ann Thorac Surg. 1999;67(4);989-93. doi:10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00094-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00...

7 Bernal-Aragón R, Sáenz-Rodríguez R, Orozco-Hernández E, Guzmán-Delgado N, Aragón-Manjarrez R, Hernández-Alvídrez A. [Coronary endarterectomy experience in myocardial revascularization]. Cir Cir. 2015;83(4):273-8. doi:10.1016/j.circir.2015.05.049.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.circir.2015.05...
-88 Papakonstantinou NA, Baikoussis NG, Apostolakis E. Coronary endarterectomy: new flavors from old recipes. J Cardiol. 2014;63(6):397-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjcc.2014.02.005.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjcc.2014.02.0...
].

Many surgeons have been reluctant to perform CE because initial studies showed high rates of mortality and morbidity, as well as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), so the procedure has been used only sporadically and with a highly selected group of patients[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
,33 Nishigawa K, Fukui T, Takanashi S. Coronary endarterectomy for the diffusely diseased coronary artery. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014;62(8):461-7. doi:10.1007/s11748-014-0414-x.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-014-0414-...
,66 Asimakopoulos G, Taylor KM, Ratnatunga CP. Outcome of coronary endarterectomy: a case-control study. Ann Thorac Surg. 1999;67(4);989-93. doi:10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00094-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00...
]. Mortality by up to 30 days after the procedure for open or closed technique is usually similar. On the other hand, more than one CE would be associated with higher rates of mortality, as well as the use of the saphenous vein in the CABG procedure[99 Soylu E, Harling L, Ashrafian H, Athanasiou T. Does coronary endarterectomy technique affect surgical outcome when combined with coronary artery bypass grafting? Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2014;19(5):848-55. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivu261.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivu261...
].

Although the literature reports higher risk of CABG with CE than without it, CE has been demanded in order to provide complete revascularization, because of the increased incidence of diffuse or complex coronary heart disease in patients referred for surgery. On the other hand, advances in the surgical technique and perioperative management allowed better results after CE, especially with the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)[33 Nishigawa K, Fukui T, Takanashi S. Coronary endarterectomy for the diffusely diseased coronary artery. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014;62(8):461-7. doi:10.1007/s11748-014-0414-x.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-014-0414-...
,1010 Wang J, Gu C, Gao M, Yu W, Yu Y. Adjunct coronary endarterectomy increases cerebrovascular accident after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis of 17,600 patients. Int J Cardiol. 2015;182:79-81. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12.061.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12...
].

The aim of this research is to compare two groups of patients: the coronary endarterectomy group (CEG), with patients undergoing CABG with CE, and the control group (CG), with patients undergoing CABG without CE. We analyzed the rate of major outcomes (perioperative AMI, stroke, and mortality) and minor outcomes (time of CPB, time of aortic clamp, and postoperative length of hospital stay). We also determined the rates of early graft patency in patients undergoing CE.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, observational, and analytical case control study. We used the database of the cardiac surgery service of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil. These data were collected prospectively and include European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II data, as well as other characteristics of the surgery (number and types of grafts, time of aortic clamp and of CPB, postoperative complications, etc.).

We analyzed the database and collected data from all patients with CAD undergoing CABG between January 2011 and June 2017 (n=697). We divided the patients into two groups: CEG was formed by patients undergoing CABG with incidental or programmed CE (n=25) and CG was formed by patients submitted to isolated CABG, without CE, using CPB (n=201).

The inclusion criteria were patients undergoing CABG requiring CPB and complete data on the datasheet. We excluded 471 patients with insufficient data, or when other surgical procedures were necessary in addition to myocardial revascularization, or patients submitted to CABG without CPB. And we compared the major outcomes (perioperative AMI, stroke rates, and mortality rates) and the minor outcomes (time of CPB, time of aortic clamp, and length of hospital stay after surgery).

The AMI criteria were c-troponin values > 10 times the 99th percentile upper reference limit in addition to one of the following elements: (a) development of new pathological Q waves; (b) angiographic documented new graft occlusion or new native coronary artery occlusion; (c) imaging evidence of new loss of viable myocardium or new regional wall motion abnormality consistent with an ischaemic aetiology.

The stroke criterion was the presence of clinical symptoms of duration longer than one hour, compatible with ischemic injury, and associated to change in computed cranial tomography.

Patients undergoing CE were followed up prospectively and those who accepted it were submitted to angiography or coronary angiotomography in order to determine vessel patency rates, three months after surgery. We considered the following criteria to determine the patency rates: (I) absence of obstructive lesion, (II) obstructive lesion ≤ 50%, (III) obstructive lesion > 50%, and (IV) occlusion.

We tested continuous variables for normality. Variables with normal distribution were presented as “mean” and the not normal ones were presented as “median”. We performed the analysis of qualitative variables through Fisher’s exact test, we analyzed the quantitative variables through Student's t-test (normal distribution) or Mann-Whitney U test (not normal distribution), and we considered a statistically significant value of P<0.05. The analyses were carried out with the aid of the Medcalc® software, version 17.5.5 (MedCalc Software bvba, Belgium).

Endarterectomy Technique

In this study, we performed CE using the following technique: expanded arteriotomy (though not the totality of the artery) with withdrawal of the plate by eversion, followed by irrigation of the treated artery flatbed, with solution containing 1 mL of heparin and 9 mL of 0.9% saline solution. Subsequently, still in the operating room or immediately after admission of the patient into the intensive care unit, we performed the passage of nasogastric tube and administered 300 mg of clopidogrel. We recommended the continuous use of DAPT. We preferably used pedicle left internal thoracic artery (LITA) for left anterior descending (LAD) artery and saphenous veins for other coronaries. We used the no-touch technique to dissect the saphenous vein and proximal anastomosis to the aorta before CPB in order to dilate the vein graft using aortic pressure, avoiding excessive pressure in the endothelium by manual dilation.

RESULTS

Preoperative data, such as gender, age, DM, DM on insulin, kidney function, function of the left ventricle (LV), presence of class IV angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society [CCS]), functional class of New York Heart Association (NYHA), and EuroSCORE II value, are listed in Table 1. There was no statistically significant difference, demonstrating the similarity of the two groups.

Table 1
Patients’ preoperative characteristics.

Perioperative characteristics (urgency of the surgery, CPB time, aortic clamp time, average of grafts, postoperative AMI and stroke, hospital stay time after surgery, and mortality) are listed in Table 2. We performed CE in 8.4% of the bypassed coronary arteries. The average of aortic clamp time was higher in the CEG (65.6 minutes) than in the CG (51.5 minutes) (P=0.0004). The same occurred with CPB time, which had higher median in the CEG (95 minutes) than in the CG (73 minutes) (P=0.0030).

Table 2
Patients’ perioperative characteristics.

The mortality in CEG was 8%, while in CG it was 11.4%, but there was no statistically significant difference. The same occurred with stroke and AMI, which presented no difference between the groups. Among CEG patients who died, two were submitted to LAD endarterectomy and one was submitted to endarterectomy of diagonal branch (DGB).

We performed CE in an incidental manner in 96.3% of vessels (n=26), and the purposeful way (scheduled) was the exception. The artery undergoing CE with greater frequency (50%) was the LAD artery (13 cases). The frequencies of other vessels are in Table 3.

Table 3
Frequency of vessels undergoing endarterectomy.

Nineteen CEG patients agreed to perform angiotomography or coronary angiography three months after surgery, and 78.95% (n=15) of the vessels submitted to CE were pervious. The data on the patency rates are presented in Tables 4 and 5.

Table 4
Graft patency in the arteries subjected to endarterectomy (N=19).
Table 5
Comparison between graft patency in the arteries subjected to endarterectomy (N=19) by territory.

DISCUSSION

CE consists of removal of the atheromatous plaque, dissection of the vascular wall, and removal of the internal and middle layers involved in the atherosclerotic process, preserving the adventitia and restoring the lumen of the artery[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
]. Therefore, CE is a surgical procedure associated with CABG surgery. It is usually performed in patients with severe CAD. It is accomplished through coronary arteriotomy and extraction of the atheromatous plaque that occludes the vessel, with posterior graft from the internal thoracic artery or saphenous vein, allowing irrigation of the ischemic tissue. The internal thoracic artery is preferably used due to better patency rates, lower thrombogenicity, and increased resistance to atherosclerosis than the saphenous vein[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
]. However, the indications for the procedure are not precise. Surgeons generally prefer vessels with diameter ≥ 1.5 mm, supplying the viable myocardium[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
,44 Schwann TA, Zacharias A, Riordan CJ, Durham SJ, Shah AS, Habib RH. Survival and graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy: role of arterial versus vein conduits. Ann Thorac Surg. 2007;84(1):25-31. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.02.053.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.200...
]. It is performed especially when localized conditions prevent adequate distal flow[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
,66 Asimakopoulos G, Taylor KM, Ratnatunga CP. Outcome of coronary endarterectomy: a case-control study. Ann Thorac Surg. 1999;67(4);989-93. doi:10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00094-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00...
]. Another situation that may require CE is the presence of a calcified or extremely hard plaque that ruptures with the suture or obstructs the flow, hindering the anastomosis[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
].

In this study, the largest number of patients from the two groups were men, without statistical difference. In the literature, CE is more frequent in male patients[55 Song Y, Xu F, Du J, Zhang J, Feng W. Coronary endarterectomy with coronary artery bypass graft decreases graft patency compared with isolated coronary artery bypass graft: a meta-analysis. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2017;25(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivx045.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivx045...
,77 Bernal-Aragón R, Sáenz-Rodríguez R, Orozco-Hernández E, Guzmán-Delgado N, Aragón-Manjarrez R, Hernández-Alvídrez A. [Coronary endarterectomy experience in myocardial revascularization]. Cir Cir. 2015;83(4):273-8. doi:10.1016/j.circir.2015.05.049.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.circir.2015.05...
]. Although the female gender is a risk factor for mortality, CE is more associated with the male gender[1111 Atik FA, Dallan LA, de Oliveira SA, Lisboa LA, Platania F, Cabral RH, et al. Myocardial revascularization with coronary endarterectomy. Stratification of risk factors for early mortality. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2000;75(4):269-80. doi:10.1590/s0066-782x2000001000002.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0066-782x200000...
]. One possible cause is the shorter length and caliber of the arteries in women[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
].

CE can be programmed before arteriotomy, but it is generally an incidental procedure performed when the artery does not have conditions for an anastomosis with the graft, due to very intense atherosclerosis. Although the atherosclerotic involvement pattern can be predicted through coronary angiography, the decision to perform CE is rarely possible before the arteriotomy, being made in most cases during surgery[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
,66 Asimakopoulos G, Taylor KM, Ratnatunga CP. Outcome of coronary endarterectomy: a case-control study. Ann Thorac Surg. 1999;67(4);989-93. doi:10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00094-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00...
].

In 96.3% of cases, the endarterectomy was incidental, with only one patient undergoing the procedure on a scheduled basis. Tyszka et al.[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
] observed that, although the pattern of atherosclerotic involvement can be predicted by the analysis of the coronary angiography, the prediction of the need for endarterectomy is rarely possible. In the LAD artery, the endarterectomy may be required in case of coronary angiography showing a diameter < 1 mm with multiple severe stenosis (> 70%)[1212 Katselis C, Samanidis G, Papasotiriou A, Karatasakis G, Nenekidis I, Demerouti E, et al. Outcomes after a left anterior descending artery endarterectomy in advanced coronary artery disease. Cardiovasc Revasc Med. 2017;18(5):332-7. doi:10.1016/j.carrev.2017.02.015.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carrev.2017.02...
]. However, as pointed out by Chi et al.[1313 Chi LQ, Zhang JQ, Kong QY, Xiao W, Liang L, Chen XL. Early results of coronary endarterectomy combined with coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with diffused coronary artery disease. Chin Med J (Engl). 2015;128(11):1460-4. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.157652.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0366-6999.157652...
], the decision in relation to whether to perform CE or not is based on the results of preoperative imaging tests and intraoperative findings. The role of CE in CABG remains controversial, although it is often the only way to successfully treat some very calcified coronary arteries during surgery.

The endarterectomy has been performed more frequently in only one vessel, mainly the LAD artery (50% of cases), a fact already reported in other studies. The procedure in this vessel can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially if the endarterectomy is performed by the closed technique[77 Bernal-Aragón R, Sáenz-Rodríguez R, Orozco-Hernández E, Guzmán-Delgado N, Aragón-Manjarrez R, Hernández-Alvídrez A. [Coronary endarterectomy experience in myocardial revascularization]. Cir Cir. 2015;83(4):273-8. doi:10.1016/j.circir.2015.05.049.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.circir.2015.05...
]. In the literature, the right coronary artery (RCA) is the second vessel in which endarterectomy is more indicated, frequently using the closed technique[77 Bernal-Aragón R, Sáenz-Rodríguez R, Orozco-Hernández E, Guzmán-Delgado N, Aragón-Manjarrez R, Hernández-Alvídrez A. [Coronary endarterectomy experience in myocardial revascularization]. Cir Cir. 2015;83(4):273-8. doi:10.1016/j.circir.2015.05.049.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.circir.2015.05...
]. We performed CE on branches of the left coronary artery in 70.37% of the cases, a result consistent with Tyszka et al.[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
]. However, Chi et al.[1313 Chi LQ, Zhang JQ, Kong QY, Xiao W, Liang L, Chen XL. Early results of coronary endarterectomy combined with coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with diffused coronary artery disease. Chin Med J (Engl). 2015;128(11):1460-4. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.157652.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0366-6999.157652...
] reported increased incidence of RCA in endarterectomy.

According to some authors, a greater number of vessels subjected to CE is associated with greater likelihood of mortality and complications, such as pneumonia, mediastinitis, perioperative bleeding, renal failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and, mainly, perioperative AMI, although these complications sometimes are associated with isolated CABG without CE[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
,44 Schwann TA, Zacharias A, Riordan CJ, Durham SJ, Shah AS, Habib RH. Survival and graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy: role of arterial versus vein conduits. Ann Thorac Surg. 2007;84(1):25-31. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.02.053.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.200...
,1010 Wang J, Gu C, Gao M, Yu W, Yu Y. Adjunct coronary endarterectomy increases cerebrovascular accident after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis of 17,600 patients. Int J Cardiol. 2015;182:79-81. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12.061.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12...
,1414 Lee JH, Lim C, Kim JS, Park KH. Early and mid-term results of coronary endarterectomy: influence of cardiopulmonary bypass and surgical techniques. Cardiol J. 2017;24(3):242-9. doi:10.5603/CJ.a2017.0027.
https://doi.org/10.5603/CJ.a2017.0027...
].

We performed CE in two vessels in two patients and both got discharged from the hospital. However, one of the patients had ischemic stroke on follow-up, after discharge. It should be emphasized that this patient was not using clopidogrel after hospital discharge. DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel is routine management in patients undergoing CE, and 80% of patients followed this recommendation in this study. Wang et al.[1010 Wang J, Gu C, Gao M, Yu W, Yu Y. Adjunct coronary endarterectomy increases cerebrovascular accident after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis of 17,600 patients. Int J Cardiol. 2015;182:79-81. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12.061.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12...
] reported the association between CE and stroke in a meta-analysis, and the authors recommended the use of DAPT in order to prevent that complication.

The importance of coronary thrombosis prophylaxis in the clinical management of this group of patients, either through single or double antiplatelet therapy, has been demonstrated previously[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
,22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
,1313 Chi LQ, Zhang JQ, Kong QY, Xiao W, Liang L, Chen XL. Early results of coronary endarterectomy combined with coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with diffused coronary artery disease. Chin Med J (Engl). 2015;128(11):1460-4. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.157652.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0366-6999.157652...
]. Russo et al.[1515 Russo M, Nardi P, Saitto G, Bovio E, Pellegrino A, Scafuri A, et al. Single versus double antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy: mid-term results and clinical implications. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2017;24(2):203-8. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivw351.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivw351...
] compared the effects of the single antiplatelet therapy to the DAPT (aspirin and clopidogrel) effects in patients undergoing CABG surgery associated with endarterectomy, and they did not find significant difference between the two groups at the end of the study. However, those authors recommend the administration of DAPT for a period of 12 months.

The incidence of perioperative AMI varies from 1.5% to 19%, according to the diagnostic criteria, and some studies showed that CE improved this incidence[66 Asimakopoulos G, Taylor KM, Ratnatunga CP. Outcome of coronary endarterectomy: a case-control study. Ann Thorac Surg. 1999;67(4);989-93. doi:10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00094-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00...
,99 Soylu E, Harling L, Ashrafian H, Athanasiou T. Does coronary endarterectomy technique affect surgical outcome when combined with coronary artery bypass grafting? Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2014;19(5):848-55. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivu261.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivu261...
,1616 Soylu E, Harling L, Ashrafian H, Casula R, Kokotsakis J, Athanasiou T. Adjunct coronary endarterectomy increases myocardial infarction and early mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2014;19(3):462-73. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivu157.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivu157...
]. In this study, this incidence was within the limits mentioned in the literature, and it was similar in both groups.

We observed longer time of CPB and aortic clamp in patients undergoing CE, and these results are supported by other authors[1010 Wang J, Gu C, Gao M, Yu W, Yu Y. Adjunct coronary endarterectomy increases cerebrovascular accident after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis of 17,600 patients. Int J Cardiol. 2015;182:79-81. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12.061.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12...
,1717 Bitan O, Pirundini PA, Leshem E, Consalvi C, McGurk S, King Q, et al. Coronary endarterectomy or patch angioplasty for diffuse left anterior descending artery disease. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2018;66(6):491-7. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1600918.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1600918...
]. Soylu et al.[99 Soylu E, Harling L, Ashrafian H, Athanasiou T. Does coronary endarterectomy technique affect surgical outcome when combined with coronary artery bypass grafting? Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2014;19(5):848-55. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivu261.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivu261...
] also identified increase in aortic clamp time and CPB time in patients submitted to CE, which can lead to complications, such as renal hypoperfusion and coagulation disorders.

Among the CEG patients who died, two of them were submitted to LAD endarterectomy and one was submitted to endarterectomy of DGB. However, the death rate between the two groups showed no statistical difference (P=1.00). The death rate among CEG patients (8%) is consistent with the literature, ranging from 0% to 19%[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
,1313 Chi LQ, Zhang JQ, Kong QY, Xiao W, Liang L, Chen XL. Early results of coronary endarterectomy combined with coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with diffused coronary artery disease. Chin Med J (Engl). 2015;128(11):1460-4. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.157652.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0366-6999.157652...
].

The establishment of a CG, like in other studies, allowed the homogenization of the sample, providing data that suggest the benefit of CE in patients with complex coronary disease with low morbidity and mortality[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
,66 Asimakopoulos G, Taylor KM, Ratnatunga CP. Outcome of coronary endarterectomy: a case-control study. Ann Thorac Surg. 1999;67(4);989-93. doi:10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00094-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00...
].

Therefore, CE can be an important technique available to the cardiac surgeon. Recent studies indicate satisfactory patency rates with angiography and acceptable morbidity and mortality rates regardless of the vessel undergoing CE[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
]. It is up to the surgeon to carefully check the indications for the procedure[11 Stavrou A, Gkiousias V, Kyprianou K, Dimitrakaki IA, Challoumas D, Dimitrakakis G. Coronary endarterectomy: the current state of knowledge. Atherosclerosis. 2016;249:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.03.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosi...
,1010 Wang J, Gu C, Gao M, Yu W, Yu Y. Adjunct coronary endarterectomy increases cerebrovascular accident after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis of 17,600 patients. Int J Cardiol. 2015;182:79-81. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12.061.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.12...
].

In relation to early patency, 78.95% of the vessels submitted to CE were classified as patent, which is in accordance with the rates mentioned in the literature, ranging from 38% to 100%[55 Song Y, Xu F, Du J, Zhang J, Feng W. Coronary endarterectomy with coronary artery bypass graft decreases graft patency compared with isolated coronary artery bypass graft: a meta-analysis. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2017;25(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivx045.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivx045...
,1313 Chi LQ, Zhang JQ, Kong QY, Xiao W, Liang L, Chen XL. Early results of coronary endarterectomy combined with coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with diffused coronary artery disease. Chin Med J (Engl). 2015;128(11):1460-4. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.157652.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0366-6999.157652...
]. We consider our patency rate quite satisfactory and stimulating, considering that the arteries submitted to CE were of very poor quality. Many times, it would be impossible to perform grafts in these vessels without previous CE, and in other times, the grafts would have a high risk of occlusion because they would be performed on atheroma plaques. According to Soylu et al.[1616 Soylu E, Harling L, Ashrafian H, Casula R, Kokotsakis J, Athanasiou T. Adjunct coronary endarterectomy increases myocardial infarction and early mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2014;19(3):462-73. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivu157.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivu157...
], the patency rate of the grafts in medium and long terms as well as the survival rate are better when open CE is combined with revascularization using the internal thoracic artery when compared to closed CE or open CE with the use of another graft. However, many studies do not specify which criteria were used to define graft failure (or non-patency) or its success[55 Song Y, Xu F, Du J, Zhang J, Feng W. Coronary endarterectomy with coronary artery bypass graft decreases graft patency compared with isolated coronary artery bypass graft: a meta-analysis. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2017;25(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivx045.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivx045...
]. Non-patency or anastomotic failure may be considered in the following cases: (I) total or 100% occlusion; (II) 75% stenosis or higher; (III) presence of tapering of the distal vessel by low flow[44 Schwann TA, Zacharias A, Riordan CJ, Durham SJ, Shah AS, Habib RH. Survival and graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy: role of arterial versus vein conduits. Ann Thorac Surg. 2007;84(1):25-31. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.02.053.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.200...
]. In another study, non-patency was defined by total occlusion, stenosis above 90%, and presence of distal vessel tapering by low flow[1818 Nishigawa K, Fukui T, Yamazaki M, Takanashi S. Ten-year experience of coronary endarterectomy for the diffusely diseased left anterior descending artery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2017;103(3):710-6. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.11.028.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.201...
].

Graft occlusion can be early or late. We consider early occlusion when it occurs in three to six months after surgery, usually as a result of thrombosis. On the other hand, late occlusion occurs usually due to the atherosclerotic process[55 Song Y, Xu F, Du J, Zhang J, Feng W. Coronary endarterectomy with coronary artery bypass graft decreases graft patency compared with isolated coronary artery bypass graft: a meta-analysis. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2017;25(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivx045.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivx045...
].

As reported by Nishigawa et al.[1818 Nishigawa K, Fukui T, Yamazaki M, Takanashi S. Ten-year experience of coronary endarterectomy for the diffusely diseased left anterior descending artery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2017;103(3):710-6. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.11.028.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.201...
], in a study with patients undergoing LAD endarterectomy, the patency rates in the angiographic study ranged from 83.3% to 99.5%, according to the graft used. The best results were achieved in patients who used LITA. We had statistically significant difference (P=0.0325) in relation to patency in the RCA and left coronary artery branches, which may be associated with the technique used or with RCA characteristics, which is frequently affected by important thickening and calcification[22 Tyszka AL, Cabral MM, Hayashi EK, Nogueira GA, Machado MB, Machado LM, et al. Coronary endarterectomy: technique and results in a case-control study. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2003;18(1):45-52. doi:10.1590/S0102-76382003000100010.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-7638200300...
,77 Bernal-Aragón R, Sáenz-Rodríguez R, Orozco-Hernández E, Guzmán-Delgado N, Aragón-Manjarrez R, Hernández-Alvídrez A. [Coronary endarterectomy experience in myocardial revascularization]. Cir Cir. 2015;83(4):273-8. doi:10.1016/j.circir.2015.05.049.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.circir.2015.05...
]. Other causes of early graft occlusion include incomplete removal of atheromatous plaque, conditions of low cardiac output, and inadequate myocardial protection, as well as the type of graft used[44 Schwann TA, Zacharias A, Riordan CJ, Durham SJ, Shah AS, Habib RH. Survival and graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy: role of arterial versus vein conduits. Ann Thorac Surg. 2007;84(1):25-31. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.02.053.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.200...
,77 Bernal-Aragón R, Sáenz-Rodríguez R, Orozco-Hernández E, Guzmán-Delgado N, Aragón-Manjarrez R, Hernández-Alvídrez A. [Coronary endarterectomy experience in myocardial revascularization]. Cir Cir. 2015;83(4):273-8. doi:10.1016/j.circir.2015.05.049.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.circir.2015.05...
,1111 Atik FA, Dallan LA, de Oliveira SA, Lisboa LA, Platania F, Cabral RH, et al. Myocardial revascularization with coronary endarterectomy. Stratification of risk factors for early mortality. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2000;75(4):269-80. doi:10.1590/s0066-782x2000001000002.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0066-782x200000...
]. Despite the limitations of our study due to the small sample, it presented patency rates consistent with the literature, demonstrating the importance of the procedure on selected patients.

Regarding the limitations of the study, it is worth mentioning that it is a series of procedures performed by a single surgeon, who uses CE whenever necessary, the casuistry is small, and not all patients performed tests to control patency of the grafts. An examination to evaluate myocardial ischemia could also provide interesting information, but we do not perform it on a routine basis.

The use of the CE technique is still controversial, and the surgeons who defend it argue that many vessels would not be able to be grafted without it because of the great amount of calcium and the high risk of occlusion. The authors who oppose to its use justify their point of view by the risks of graft occlusion, longer surgical time, technical difficulties, and higher risk of mortality, and some believe that endarterectomy does not guarantee the distal flow because when we perform CE there is a risk of remaining plaques in the branches of the endarterectomized artery.

In order to clarify these questions, a prospective multicentric study of great statistical power might be necessary. In this study, patients with highly calcified arteries should be randomized to perform the isolated graft alone or CE, in order to later compare hard outcomes, such as stroke, AMI, and death, and the presence of residual ischemia in the endarterectomy region. However, conducting such a study is quite difficult, starting with the criteria of need for endarterectomy that are quite subjective, in addition to cost, training, and standardization aspects of endarterectomy techniques.

While we do not have definitive answers on the subject, the use of CE is dependent on the preference and experience of each surgeon. We believe that the technique should be used when well indicated. Indiscriminate use may lead to unnecessary procedures. However, in the present study, the technique was performed in only 8.4% of the grafts and it was restricted to situations in which the risk of anastomosis without CE was considered greater or even impossible. Generally, a few coronary grafts have early occlusion, already in the operating room, which can often be related to the quality of the treated coronary artery. Among the complicating factors, the presence of hard calcification has great relevance, and may contribute strongly to the early occlusion of the grafts[1919 Turk T. Early graft failure after coronary artery bypass grafting: diagnosis and treatment. Eur J Res. 2016;2(2):85-92. doi:10.18621/eurj.2016.5000183008.
https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.2016.50001...
,2020 Bordalo A, Nobre A, Pereira R, Lemos A, Mendes M, Pereira F, et al. [Perioperative myocardial infarction in coronary bypass surgery: characterization of risk factors, clinical pictures and prognosis]. Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc. 2011;18(1):11-21. Portuguese.]. It is noteworthy that there were cases in which the presence of calcification was so intense that it was not possible to transfix the calcium plate with the needles of polypropylene 7-0, 6-0, or up to 5-0, creating the need to remove the plate for anastomosis.

CONCLUSION

In the present sample, the rate of early graft patency in patients submitted to CE was 78.9%. The comparison of the group submitted to CE with the CG showed that the former had a longer time of aortic clamping and longer time of CPB, however, there was no difference in the major endpoints such as stroke, AMI, or mortality.

Authors’ roles & responsibilities MACC Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved; final approval of the version to be published ALB Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published JO Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published MS Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved; final approval of the version to be published ESR Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved; final approval of the version to be published RZG Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved; final approval of the version to be published
  • This study was carried out at the Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa - Campus Uvaranas, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil and at Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Ponta Grossa Hospital.
  • No financial support.

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    » https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivu157
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    Bitan O, Pirundini PA, Leshem E, Consalvi C, McGurk S, King Q, et al. Coronary endarterectomy or patch angioplasty for diffuse left anterior descending artery disease. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2018;66(6):491-7. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1600918.
    » https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1600918
  • 18
    Nishigawa K, Fukui T, Yamazaki M, Takanashi S. Ten-year experience of coronary endarterectomy for the diffusely diseased left anterior descending artery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2017;103(3):710-6. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.11.028.
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.11.028
  • 19
    Turk T. Early graft failure after coronary artery bypass grafting: diagnosis and treatment. Eur J Res. 2016;2(2):85-92. doi:10.18621/eurj.2016.5000183008.
    » https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.2016.5000183008
  • 20
    Bordalo A, Nobre A, Pereira R, Lemos A, Mendes M, Pereira F, et al. [Perioperative myocardial infarction in coronary bypass surgery: characterization of risk factors, clinical pictures and prognosis]. Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc. 2011;18(1):11-21. Portuguese.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    23 Mar 2020
  • Date of issue
    Jan-Feb 2020

History

  • Received
    08 Dec 2018
  • Accepted
    25 June 2019
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