Husam H. Balkhy

Screening Carotid Ultrasonography and Risk Factors for Stroke in Coronary Artery Surgery Patients

BACKGROUND The role of noninvasive carotid artery screening in relation to other clinical variables in identifying patients at increased risk of stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting was examined. METHODS Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinical data were prospectively collected for 1,835 consecutive patients undergoing first-time isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between March 1990 and July 1995, 1,279 of whom had screening carotid ultrasonography. All patients with postoperative neurologic events were identified and reviewed in detail. Average patient age was 65.3 years (range, 33 to 92 years), and 9.3% (171 patients) had a prior permanent stroke or transient ischemic attack. Hospital and 30-day mortality was 2.2% (41 patients). Forty-five patients (2.5%) had a transient or permanent postoperative neurologic event. The data were analyzed by stepwise logistic regression to determine the independent predictors of both significant carotid stenosis and stroke. RESULTS On multivariate analysis, the clinical predictors of significant carotid stenosis were age (p < 0.0001), diabetes (p = 0.0123), female sex (p = 0.0026), left main coronary stenosis greater than 60% (p < 0.0001), prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (p = 0.0008), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.0001), prior vascular operation (p = 0.0068), and smoking (p < 0.0001). When all variables were evaluated for those patients who underwent noninvasive carotid artery screening, the independent predictors of postoperative neurologic event were prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (p < 0.0001), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.0037), postinfarction angina pectoris (p = 0.0319), postoperative atrial fibrillation (p = 0.0014), carotid stenosis greater than 50% (p = 0.0029), cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.0006), significant aortic atherosclerosis (p = 0.0054), postoperative amrinone or epinephrine use (p = 0.0054), and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 0.30 (p = 0.0744). CONCLUSIONS The etiology of postoperative stroke is multifactorial. Selective use of carotid ultrasonography is of value in identifying patients who are at greater risk of postoperative stroke independent of other variables and should be considered before coronary artery bypass grafting, particularly in patients with a history of neurologic event or peripheral vascular disease.

Evaluation of the PAS-Port Proximal Anastomosis System in coronary artery bypass surgery (the EPIC trial).

OBJECTIVE During coronary surgery, proximal vein graft anastomoses have been performed by using an aortic partial occlusion clamp to allow for a hand-sewn anastomosis. The purpose of this multicenter, prospective, randomized trial was to evaluate the efficacy of the PAS-Port device (Cardica, Inc, Redwood City, Calif), which allows an automated proximal anastomosis to be performed without aortic clamping. METHODS Between June 22, 2006, and March 22, 2007, 220 patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting with at least 2 vein grafts were enrolled. Within each patient, 1 graft was randomly assigned to receive a PAS-Port device, and the other was assigned to receive a hand-sewn anastomosis to the ascending aorta. The primary end point was angiographic patency (<50% stenosis) 9 months after surgical intervention. Secondary end points included average time to complete each anastomosis and 9-month freedom from major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS One hundred eighty-three patients received matched grafts that were angiographically assessed at 9 months. The 9-month graft patency was 82.0% (150/183) for hand-sewn and 80.3% (147/183) for PAS-Port grafts. The patency rate of PAS-Port anastomoses was statistically noninferior to that of hand-sewn anastomoses (95% lower confidence limit for difference, -7.95%). The freedom from major adverse cardiac events at 9 months was 97.7% for PAS-Port (95% confidence interval, 94.5%-99.0%) and 98.2% for hand-sewn (95% confidence interval, 95.1%-99.3%) grafts. The PAS-port device was associated with a 4.6 +/- 3.9-minute reduction in anastomotic time compared with that seen with a hand-sewn anastomosis (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The PAS-Port proximal anastomotic device produces an effective anastomosis with a 9-month patency rate that is comparable with that of a hand-sewn anastomosis. It allows for construction of a proximal anastomosis without aortic clamping and requires less time than a hand-sewn anastomosis.

Integrating Coronary Anastomotic Connectors and Robotics Toward a Totally Endoscopic Beating Heart Approach: Review of 120 Cases

BACKGROUND Endoscopic coronary bypass has been a difficult procedure to perform. The recent introduction of the Intuitive EndoWrist stabilizer (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) has facilitated this procedure robotically on the beating heart. The addition of anastomotic connectors allows a significant improvement in the execution of this technically demanding procedure. We report on our first 120 cases of totally endoscopic, beating heart connector coronary artery bypass grafting integrating these technologies. METHODS From January 2008 to April 2010, 120 patients (age range 43 to 86 years, 72% male) underwent either single or multivessel all arterial, totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting using the da Vinci robot with the aid of the Flex A distal anastomotic device (Cardica, Redwood City, CA). Patients with multivessel disease involving branches of the right coronary and circumflex arteries underwent hybrid revascularization with stents. Early and midterm clinical outcomes were evaluated for all patients. Eighty-five internal mammary artery grafts in 68 patients were evaluated at a mean of 4 months using multidetector computed tomography and formal angiography (in 18 hybrid patients). RESULTS Mean hospital stay was 3.3±2.4 days. There was 1 postoperative death (the same patient had a stroke secondary to carotid disease), and 1 postoperative myocardial infarction. Two patients were converted to minithoracotomy and 1 patient was converted to sternotomy. One patient required cardiopulmonary bypass support through the femoral cannulation during the procedure. Mean intraoperative transit time flow in all the internal mammary artery grafts was 76 cc/minute±43, and pulsatility index of 1.5±0.5. Of the 85 grafts evaluated angiographically, 80 were patent at a mean of 4 months (94.1%). CONCLUSIONS Totally endoscopic beating heart connector coronary bypass using the da Vinci robot with the Flex A anastomotic device is a safe and reproducible procedure. A significant learning curve is involved and experience with anastomotic devices in the open setting is necessary. Long-term follow-up of graft patency and patient outcomes is warranted.

Minimally invasive atrial fibrillation ablation combined with a new technique for thoracoscopic stapling of the left atrial appendage: case report.

BACKGROUND Surgical therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) is becoming increasingly popular in the concomitant setting. Minimally invasive techniques are being developed for management of the patient with stand-alone AF. We report on our first case of a patient undergoing thoracoscopic microwave epicardial AF ablation combined with the incorporation of a new device for left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion. METHODS The patient is a 62-year-old man with a 10-year history of drug-resistant paroxysmal AF. He had failed multiple electrical cardioversions, as well as a percutaneous attempt at left and right superior pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. On October 8, 2003, he was admitted to undergo an off-pump thoracoscopic epicardial microwave ablation. While the patient was under general anesthesia, 3 thoracoscopic access ports were created in the right chest. The pericardium was widely opened. Red rubber catheters were positioned in the transverse and oblique sinuses. The 2 catheters were retrieved on the left side and tied together, forming a guide to the Flex 10 microwave ablation probe (Guidant Corporation, Fremont, CA, USA). The Flex 10 sheath was positioned to encircle all 4 pulmonary veins. The position of the ablation catheter was confirmed visually to be behind the LAA. Sequential ablation was then performed in the segments of the Flex 10 to create a continuous ablation line around the PVs. A connecting lesion to the base of the LAA was then performed. The LAA was then stapled using the SurgASSIST computer-mediated thoracoscopic stapling system (Power Medical Intervention, New Hope, PA, USA). RESULTS The procedure was uneventful and lasted for a total of 2.5 hours. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 2 in rate-controlled AF. He was successfully electrically cardioverted to normal sinus rhythm (NSR). At latest follow-up he remained in NSR and continued to take dofetilide (Tikosyn). CONCLUSION Thoracoscopic epicardial microwave ablation of AF is a technically feasible procedure with minimal risk. The computer deployment and motion controlled stapling system that we used in this case has the potential to become a safe and reliable alternative to conventional stapling instruments.

Right Internal Mammary Artery Use in 140 Robotic Totally Endoscopic Coronary Bypass Cases: Toward Multiarterial Grafting.

Objective Benefits of adding a second arterial graft in coronary bypass are well documented. In patients requiring mulitvessel grafting robotic totally endoscopic coronary bypass (TECAB) has allowed for routine harvesting and use of the right internal mammary artery (RIMA). We retrospectively reviewed the technical considerations and target choice in 140 cases of beating heart TECAB where a RIMA graft was used. Methods In 2008, we introduced beating heart TECAB with anastomotic connectors into our practice, first with single IMA and then with bilateral internal mammary artery. A robotic stabilizer was used not only to facilitate exposure of the coronary targets but also to aid the RIMA harvest using a skeletonized approach. Flow measurements were obtained routinely. We reviewed the technical aspects, target choice, and intraoperative flows in our TECAB patients who underwent grafting with RIMA grafts. Results From February 2008 to January 2015, a total of 404 patients underwent beating heart TECAB with anastomotic connectors, of which 194 (48%) were mulitvessel procedures. One hundred forty patients (35%) had a RIMA graft and constitute the patient population for this review. One hundred thirty-one RIMA grafts were harvested via left-sided ports and grafted to left coronary targets, and nine RIMA grafts were harvested via right-sided ports and grafted to the right coronary artery. Flow was greater than 25 mL/min (pulsatility index < 2) in 95% of grafts. Perioperative mortality was 0.7% and mean ± standard deviation length of hospital stay was 3.1(1.5) days. The RIMA was used as an in situ graft in 124 cases (84%) and as a free T-graft in 24 cases (16%) cases. Right internal mammary artery graft use in all TECABS increased from 23% in the first 5 years to 53% in the last 2 years. Conclusions Robotic TECAB allows the routine harvesting and use of the RIMA graft in a safe and reproducible manner. Skeletonization and sternal sparing allow the RIMA to reach various coronary targets. Further studies are needed for this approach to impact the adaption of multiarterial grafting.

3D echocardiographic analysis of aortic annulus for transcatheter aortic valve replacement using novel aortic valve quantification software: Comparison with computed tomography

With the increasing use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS), computed tomography (CT) remains the standard for annulus sizing. However, 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been an alternative in patients with contraindications to CT. We sought to (1) test the feasibility, accuracy, and reproducibility of prototype 3DTEE analysis software (Philips) for aortic annular measurements and (2) compare the new approach to the existing echocardiographic techniques.

Endoscopic Conduit Harvest in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: An ISMICS Systematic Review and Consensus Conference Statements

Objective The purpose of this consensus conference was to develop and update evidence-informed consensus statements and recommendations on harvesting saphenous vein and radial artery via an open as compared with endoscopic technique by systematically reviewing and performing a meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials. Methods All randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized controlled trials included in the first the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery Consensus Conference and Statements,1,2 in 2005 up to November 30, 2015, were included in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Based on the resultant, 76 studies (23 randomized controlled trials and 53 nonrandomized controlled trials) on 281,459 patients analyzed, consensus statements, and recommendations were generated comparing the risks and benefits of endoscopic versus open conduit harvesting for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Results Compared with open vein harvest, it is reasonable to perform endoscopic vein harvest of saphenous vein to reduce wound-related complications, postoperative length of stay, and outpatient wound management resources and to increase patient satisfaction (class I, level A). Based on the quality of the conduit and major adverse cardiac events as well as 6-month angiographic patency, endoscopic vein harvest was noninferior to open harvest. It is reasonable to perform endoscopic radial artery harvest to reduce wound-related complication and to increase patient satisfaction (class I, level B-R and B-NR, respectively) with reduction in major adverse cardiac events and noninferior patency rate at 1 and 3 to 5 years (class III, level B-R). Conclusions Based on the consensus statements, the consensus panel recommends (class I, level B) that endoscopic saphenous vein and radial artery harvesting should be the standard of care for patients who require these conduits for coronary revascularization.

Late Manifestation of Coronary Sinus and Left Atrial Perforation of a Left Ventricular Pacemaker Lead at Extraction.

A 56‐year‐old man presented for lead extraction of a left ventricular (LV) lead that had been deactivated due to hiccups and of a right ventricular (RV) lead with a high threshold. Pus was noted upon entering the pocket. The right atrial and RV leads were extracted, but traction on the LV lead caused ischemia and was not performed. An echocardiogram demonstrated the lead in the left atrium and a robotic‐assisted thoracotomy was used to remove the lead that had unroofed the coronary sinus, gone into the left atrium, and perforated through the free wall into the pericardium.

Robotic application of a novel dual-energy device for left atrial ablation: intraoperative and early postoperative results.

ObjectiveRecent trials show that in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), pulmonary vein isolation performed with bipolar surgical ablation clamps using small bilateral thoracotomies is more effective than pulmonary vein isolation using standard catheter ablation. This improved efficacy comes with higher invasiveness including difficulty in execution and potentially more acute complications. Monopolar “loop” devices overcome these drawbacks but at the potential cost of decreased efficacy. Technology that has bipolar effectiveness but with improved access and safety profiles, capable of being deployed endoscopically on a beating heart, would be desirable. We evaluated an ablation system that may have all of these characteristics. MethodsBetween May 2012 and May 2013, 30 patients were treated surgically for AF using a right-sided endoscopic approach with robotic assistance. In each patient, a “box” ablation lesion set was created around all pulmonary veins with a new linear suction-applied dual-mode (monopolar and bipolar) radiofrequency (RF) ablation device that was looped around the pulmonary veins. Temperature-controlled RF was applied for 60 seconds, with a set temperature of 70°C, first in the bipolar mode and then in a separate RF ablation for 60 seconds at 70°C in the monopolar mode. Acute effectiveness of the procedure was assessed using conduction block testing and by attempting to induce sustained AF with rapid atrial pacing. The left atrial appendage (LAA) was occluded in all patients with multiple ENDOLOOP snares using a left video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approach under transesophageal echocardiography guidance, after which the tip of the LAA was incised to empty the LAA of blood. All patients were seen clinically at 30, 90, and 180 days with routine electrocardiography monitoring: at 6 months, 24-hour Holter monitoring was performed. ResultsAcute conduction block was achieved in 93% the of patients, and sustained AF could not be induced by rapid atrial pacing after the surgical ablation procedure in 90% of the patients. At 3- and 6-month follow-up, 88% and 81% of the patients, respectively, were in sinus rhythm. Of 16 the patients seen at 12-month follow-up, 14 (88%) were in sinus rhythm with 44% still on antiarrhythmic medications. ConclusionsThe newly introduced bipolar/monopolar RF ablation device can be easily positioned using a right endoscopic approach. Robotic assistance enables effective fat removal for accurate and easy placement of the device around the pulmonary veins. With the use of this approach, the device is safe and effective in electrically isolating the pulmonary veins.

Is robotic beating heart totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass feasible for BMI > 35 morbidly obese patients?

We investigated the outcomes of morbidly obese patients after robotic beating heart totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (BH‐TECAB).