Incidence of Postoperative Stroke Using the Heartstring Device in 1,380 Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients With Mild to Severe Atherosclerosis of the Ascending Aorta (original) (raw)

Modification of surgical technique for ascending aortic atherosclerosis: impact on stroke reduction in coronary artery bypass grafting

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2003

Use of epiaortic scanning in coronary surgery is still a matter of debate. It is unclear whether the findings obtained by epiaortic scanning lead to effective changes in surgical technique that may reduce stroke rates. Methods: Epiaortic scanning was performed in 352 patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting before opening the pericardium using a 7.5-MHz ultrasonic probe. In the presence of moderate atherosclerosis (maximum aortic wall thickness of 3 to 5 mm), primarily single aortic crossclamping was carried out. In cases of severe sclerosis (maximum aortic wall thickness Ͼ 5 mm), aortic no-touch techniques on the beating heart were used. Results: The degree of ascending aortic atherosclerosis was normal or mild in 151 patients (42.9%), moderate in 167 patients (47.5%), and severe in 34 patients (9.6%). The operative technique was modified in 31.1% of patients with moderate aortic sclerosis and in 91.2% of patients with severe aortic sclerosis. Perioperative mortality was 0.0% for mild disease, 3.0% for moderate disease, and 8.8% for severe disease (P ϭ .005). Corresponding stroke rates reached 2.0%, 2.4%, and 2.9% (P ϭ .935). Logistic regression adjusting for EuroSCORE showed that ascending aortic atherosclerosis was an independent predictor of perioperative mortality (P ϭ .013, odds ratio 1.67, confidence interval 1.11-2.50). The influence of aortic disease on the stroke prevalence was probably due to chance (P ϭ .935), demonstrating a potentially positive effect of operative modifications concerning stroke caused by aortic manipulation. Conclusions: We conclude that intraoperative screening of coronary artery bypass grafting patients by epiaortic scanning can reveal useful information about the operative risk and with an aortic no-touch concept, perioperative stroke rates in high-risk patients may be lower than predicted. A therosclerosis of the ascending aorta has emerged as one of the most important risk factors for postoperative complications in cardiac surgery, particularly in on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) when the diseased aorta is manipulated by cannulation and clamping. These maneuvers can be associated with intraoperative atheromatous embolization into the cerebral circulation, resulting in persistent cognitive deficit or postoperative

Significantly reduced incidence of stroke during coronary artery bypass grafting using transesophageal echocardiography

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 1997

Objecti6e: Protruding atheromas of thoracic aorta have been identified as a source of systemic emboli and a major cause of stroke following cardiac surgery. This prospective study used transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to identify atherosclerosis of thoracic aorta intraoperatively. The influence of risk factors was studied. Finally the impact of modifying surgical technique on the outcome was evaluated. Methods: Seven-hundred and ninety-two patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were evaluated with TEE. Depending on the location and extent of thoracic aortic disease various surgical modifications were carried out, e.g. hypothermic circulatory arrest with aortic arch atherectomy, CABG on beating heart and others. The stroke rate in this group of patients was determined and analysed. Results: Of the 114 patients with grade II and III atheromas of aortic arch and ascending aorta in whom surgical modifications were done, none had stroke. The overall stroke rate in the study group was 0.76%, six patients had stroke. Stepwise logistic regression identified age, diabetes, serum triglycerides and VLDL as important risk factors. Associated carotid artery disease and calcium on chest X-ray (CXR) were identified as important predictors of disease. Conclusions: Intraoperative TEE is an invaluable modality for evaluating the thoracic aorta. There is significant reduction in stroke rate following identification of atheromas and modification of surgical technique.

Increasing Severity of Aortic Atherosclerosis in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients Evaluated by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 2015

Background: Atherosclerotic disease in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients is a potential contributor to complications in the perioperative periods. This study was undertaken to better define how the frequency of aortic atheromatous disease among patients coming for CABG has evolved over the last decade. Methods: Data from elective patients coming for CABG who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations following induction of anesthesia were obtained for the years 2002 and 2009. Aortas were graded according to the method of Kronzon, with the following interpretations: normal = grade I, intimal thickening = 2, atheroma of less than 5 mm = 3, atheroma of > 5 mm = 4, and any mobile atheroma = 5. The data of 124 patients who underwent comprehensive exam of the aorta by one cardiac anesthesiologist were gathered and assigned into two groups based on the year TEE was done. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. The data were presented as mean ± SD. Results: There was significant difference between group 2002 (2.05 ± 1.28) and group 2009 (2.59 ± 1.11) in atheroma grade (P = 0.013). Conclusions: Patients coming for CABG in group 2009 exhibited significantly higher grades of aortic atheroma on TEE, compared to group 2002. Understanding the risk of atheroma in the elderly CABG population may help in altering surgical approaches to lessen the risk of catastrophic stroke. Potential options needing further study include the off-pump approach and modification of cross-clamp site and technique as well as other modalities.

Association Between Coronary Artery Bypass Surgical Techniques and Postoperative Stroke

Journal of the American Heart Association

Background The impact of the coronary artery bypass grafting ( CABG ) technique (on‐ versus off‐pump, single versus multiple aortic clamping) on postoperative neurological outcome remains a matter of controversy. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the incidence of postoperative stroke and the degree of aortic manipulation in one of the largest contemporary CABG series. Methods and Results A retrospective, multicenter, international study was conducted in 25 388 patients undergoing isolated CABG procedures with on‐pump CABG ( ONCAB ) or off‐pump CABG ( OPCAB ) technique including single or multiple aortic clamping. Postoperative stroke was defined as a postoperative neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours and associated with evidence of a brain lesion on computed tomography. The degree of aortic manipulation was assumed to be higher for on‐pump versus off‐pump surgery and for multiple versus single or no aortic clamping. Logistic regression and propen...

Risk factors for stroke in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 1996

Objective: To determine predictors of stroke in patients undergoing first-time coronary bypass grafting, we prospectively collected data on 1631 consecutive patients. Methods: Patients with a history of stroke and/or central nervous system symptoms (n = 134) and/or carotid bruits (n = 95) underwent carotid Doppler evaluation. Stenosis greater than 70% was considered significant. Patients with symptomatic disease or asymptomatic bilateral disease were referred for combined coronary bypass and carotid endarterectomy (n = 21). Patients with neurologic symptoms after the operation were assessed by a neurologist and underwent a computed tomographic scan. Events were classified as reversible transient ischemic attack, reversible ischemic neurologic deficit, or irreversible stroke. Results: There were 19 strokes (1.2%) and 20 deaths (1.2%) in this series. In patients with carotid screening, risk of stroke increased with severity of carotid disease and ranged from 0% in patients without stenosis, to 3.2% (1/31) in those with greater than 70% stenosis, and to 27.3% (6/22) in those with carotid occlusion. By stepwise logistic regression analysis six variables were identified as risk factors for stroke. The most important predictor was carotid occlusion with or without contralateral stenosis (odds ratio = 28, 95% confidence interval (8,105). In this group, four of five strokes occurred on the occluded side. Other risk factors were presence of ascending aortic disease at the time of surgery (odds ratio = 12.8, confidence interval 3,48), perioperative myocardial infarction (odds ratio = 8.2, confidence interval 2,33), poor left ventricular function (odds ratio = 4.6, confidence interval 1,19), peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio = 3.2, confidence interval 1,9), and age >60 years (odds ratio = 2.9, confidence interval 0.8,11). Conclusion: We conclude that risk factors for perioperative stroke in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting are multiple. Carotid scanning in patients with neurologic symptoms or carotid bruits can identify patients at increased risk. Patients with carotid occlusion are at high risk for stroke on the occluded side. (J THORAC CARDIOVASC SURG 1996;112:1250-9)

A policy to reduce stroke in patients with extensive atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta undergoing coronary surgery

Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, 2004

Since 1995 we have routinely used epiaortic scanning in cardiac surgery and since 1998 we have employed off-pump surgery for coronary revascularization. In patients with extensive atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta we tried to assess whether or not conversion from a planned on-pump to off-pump coronary surgery affects the incidence of postoperative stroke. We studied 28 consecutive patients with extensive atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta undergoing coronary surgery. Extensive atherosclerosis, detected by epiaortic ultrasound, was defined as involvement of 6 or more out of 12 segments. Since 1998 we have converted 15 patients with extensive atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta from on-pump to off-pump. Thirteen patients with similar disease who underwent on-pump before the introduction of off-pump were used as controls. The incidence of stroke in the off-pump group was 0% as compared with 31% in the coronary artery bypass grafting group (P=0.03). Y-grafts were used more o...

Postoperative stroke in cardiac surgery is related to the location and extent of atherosclerotic disease in the ascending aorta

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2001

The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk from calcified atheromas in the ascending aorta, and the extent and topography of the disease in the development of stroke after cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND Postoperative stroke constitutes a serious problem in cardiac surgery, and atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta is an important risk factor. METHODS Before surgical manipulation epiaortic echocardiographic ultrasound was performed to evaluate the ascending aorta in 921 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The presence of calcification, location of atheroma, extent of the disease and clinical variables including postoperative stroke were recorded prospectively. RESULTS A total of 26.2% of the patients had atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta, and in 44.4% of them more than one of 12 possible segments was involved. Logistic regression showed that atherosclerotic disease in the ascending aorta was the most important predictive factor for postoperative stroke. The incidence of stroke was 1.8% in patients without atherosclerotic disease of the ascending aorta, and 8.7% in patients with the disease (p Ͻ 0.0001). Diabetes mellitus was also a predictive factor (p ϭ 0.04). A new and unique finding of this study was that the middle-lateral segment is an independent predictive factor for postoperative stroke, with a relative risk of 26% (p ϭ 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Patients with atheromatosis in the ascending aorta had an 8.7% incidence of postoperative stroke, in spite of minor surgical modifications. The risk depended on the presence, location and extent of the disease. Randomized trials evaluating alternative surgical strategies in coronary surgery are urgently needed in high risk patients.

Multicenter review of preoperative risk factors for stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2000

Background and Purpose-The benefit of carotid endarterectomy is highly dependent on surgical risk. However, little data are available concerning factors affecting the risk of endarterectomy performed for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis outside the setting of a randomized controlled trial. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of potential preoperative risk factors on the frequency of postoperative complications in patients undergoing the operation for asymptomatic disease in academic medical centers. Methods-Data regarding postoperative complications were systematically abstracted from the medical records of a random sample of patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy at 12 academic medical centers. Results-Of 1160 procedures reviewed, 463 (40%) were performed for asymptomatic disease. Postoperative stroke or death occurred in 13 (2.8%), and myocardial infarction occurred in 8 (1.7%). The rate of postoperative stroke or death was lower in asymptomatic patients than in those with a history of cerebrovascular symptoms in a different vascular distribution, but the difference was not significant (1.8% versus 4.2%; Pϭ.21). There were no significant differences in these rates based on race, a history of angina, recent myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, the degree of stenosis of the contralateral or ipsilateral carotid artery, or the presence of angiographically recognized ulceration, intraluminal thrombus, or siphon stenosis in the ipsilateral vessel (2 ; PϾ.05). Postoperative stroke or death was more frequent in women (5.3% versus 1.6% in men; Pϭ.02), in those aged 75 years or older (7.8% versus 1.8% in those younger than 75 years; Pϭ.01), and in those with a history of congestive heart failure (8.6% versus 2.3% in those without a history of congestive heart failure; Pϭ.03). The risk of stroke or death was higher in the 16 patients who had carotid endarterectomy performed in combination with coronary artery bypass surgery than in those who had only endarterectomy (18.7% versus 2.1%; PϽ.001). Conclusions-The overall risk of postoperative stroke or death was nearly twice that reported by Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (ACAS) investigators in the setting of a clinical trial but was within acceptable guidelines. Women were at higher postoperative risk than men, which supported ACAS findings. Additional high-risk groups were those aged 75 years or older, those with a history of congestive heart failure, and those undergoing prophylactic endarterectomy for asymptomatic stenosis in combination with coronary surgery. Knowledge of these rates may help to better assess an individual's postoperative risk and therefore the anticipated benefit of surgery. (Stroke.