• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.995-998
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• 2003

During coronary artery bypass surgery, there are several discrete maneuvers that facilitates localization of the invisible left anterior descending coronary artery. In some cases with intramyocardial left anterior descending artery, long-term patency of a bypassed graft may depend on anastomosing the internal mammary artery graft to the more proximal and superficial site of the intramyocardial left anterior descending artery. We describe an easy technique to locate the proximal superficial left anterior descending artery with a distal coronary arteriotomy and retrograde insertion of a coronary probe.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.528-531
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• 2009

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is widely used to evaluate the heart function and the result of surgery during a cardiac operation. The incidence of complications associated with TEE is low, yet critical complications such as lower pharyngeal injury and esophageal perforation may happen. We report hereon a case of 77-year old male patient who suffered from injury to the pyriform sinus and concurrent deep neck infection after off pump coronary artery bypass surgery and intraoperative TEE.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.275-286
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• 2012

The saphenous vein has been the principal conduit for coronary bypass grafting from the beginning, circa 1970. This report briefly traces this history and concomitantly presents one surgeons experience and personal views on use of the vein graft. As such it is not exhaustive but meant to be practical with a modest number of references. The focus is that of providing guidance and perspective which may be at variance with that of others and recognizing that there may be many ways to accomplish the task at hand. Hopefully the surgeon in training/early career may find this instructive on the journey to surgical maturity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.570-577
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• 2004

CT angiography is now available to evaluate the early graft patency after coronary bypass surgery. We investigated whether patency or occlusion of the bypass grafts can be visualized by CT angiography and what factors effect the visuality. Material and Method: Fifty patients underwent scanning with a 4-slice computed tomographic scanner (Somatom Volume ZoomTM; Siemens, Germany) before being discharged after coronary artery bypass grafting. To evaluate graft patency and relationship between the quality of graft image and the characteristics of the diseased coronary vessels, 50 internal thoracic artery grafts, 18 radial artery grafts, and 56 vein grafts were included in this study. Result: All vein grafts (24 grafts; 32 anastomoses) to left coronary artery system were well visualized, but 3 grafts (4.7%) of 30 vein grafts (35 anastomoses) to right coronary artery system were not visualized. The latter was also occluded in invasive coronary angiographic study. Thirty-nine (78%) internal thoracic artery grafts were well visualized, 8 (16%) faintly visualized, and 3 (6%) not visualized, but all the internal artery grafts were well patent in invasive coronary angiographic study. Conclusion: Unvisualized vein grafts in CT angiography means occlusion of the grafts, but unvisualized arterial grafts in CT angiography may not mean occlusion of the graft but result from competitive flow between the graft and coronary artery. To confirm patency of the unvisualized arterial grafts, invasive coronary angiography is needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.624-627
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• 1994

Congenital coronary arteriovenous fistula is a rare cardiac defect that causes coronary arterial flow to drain into the right cardiac chambers, the pulmonary artery, the coronary sinus, or the left cardiac chambers. The most frequently involved vessel is the right coronary artery. We experienced a case that had a coronary arteriovenous fistula associated with valvular heart disease. With the cardiopulmonary bypass done under hypothermia, mitral valve replacement was accomplished and the fistulas of both proximal and distal portions of the right coronary artery were closed with 3-0 prolene. Postoperative course was uneventful.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2014

Background: Redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still associated with increased morbidity and mortality as compared to the first-time operation. Further, the application of the off-pump technique to redo CABG is limited due to technical difficulties. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze early and midterm results after redo CABG and compare the outcome of redo on-pump and off-pump CABG. Methods: From June 1996 to October 2011, elective redo CABG was performed in 32 patients. Mean age was 64.8 years (on pump 64.3 years vs. off pump 65.5 years; p=0.658), and 21 patients were male. Among these patients, 14 (43.8%) underwent on-pump CABG, and 18 (56.2%) underwent off-pump CABG. Results: Internal thoracic artery was used in 22 patients (68.8%), and total arterial revascularization was achieved in 17 patients (53.1%). The average number of distal anastomoses was 2.13, and the rate of incomplete revascularization was 43.8%. The rate of total arterial revascularization was higher in the off-pump group (14.3% vs. 83.3%, p<0.001), and the use of saphenous vein graft was more in the on-pump group (78.6% vs. 16.7%, p<0.001). Overall hospital mortality was 3.1% (n=1) and was comparable in both groups (on pump 7.1% vs. off pump 0%; p=0.249). Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients (64.2%), and the rate of complications was high in the on-pump group without statistical significance (64.2% vs. 33.3%, p=0.082). The mean follow-up duration was 5.4 years, and overall survival at 10 years was $86.0%{\pm}10.5%$. There was no significant difference in the 10-year survival rate between the two groups (79.6% vs. 100%, p=0.225). Conclusion: Redo CABG can be safely performed with acceptable mortality. Redo off-pump coronary artery bypass is feasible with low mortality and morbidity, comparable target vessel bypass grafting, and long-term survival. The off-pump technique might be considered a safe option for redo CABG in high-risk patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2018

Background: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) has the advantage of allowing arterial grafting on the left anterior descending artery without a sternotomy incision. We present our single-center clinical experience of 66 consecutive patients. Methods: All patients underwent MIDCAB through a left anterior small thoracotomy between August 2007 and July 2015. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up data - including major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), graft patency, and the need for re-intervention - were collected. Results: The mean age of the patients was $69.4{\pm}11.1years$ and 73% were male. There was no conversion to an on-pump procedure or a sternotomy incision. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.5%. There were no cases of stroke, although 2 patients had to be re-explored for bleeding, and 81.8% were extubated in the operating room or on the day of surgery. The median stay in the intensive care u nit and in the hospital were 1.5 and 9.6 days, respectively. The median follow-up period was 11 months, with a 5-year overall survival rate of $85.3%{\pm}0.09%$ and a 5-year MACCE-free survival rate of $72.8%{\pm}0.1%$. Of the 66 patients, 32 patients with 36 grafts underwent a postoperative graft patency study with computed tomography angiography or coronary angiography, and 88.9% of the grafts were patent at $9.7{\pm}10.8months$ postoperatively. Conclusion: MIDCAB is a safe procedure with low postoperative morbidity and mortality and favorable mid-term MACCE-free survival.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2011

Background: We evaluated the surgical results and predictors of long-term survival in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at the time of an aortic valve replacement (AVR) due to aortic stenosis. Materials and Methods: Between January 1990 and December 2009, 183 consecutive patients underwent CABG and concomitant aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. The mean follow-up period was $59.8{\pm}3.3$ months and follow-up was possible in 98.3% of cases. Predictors of mortality were determined by Cox regression analysis. Results: There were 5 (2.7%) in-hospital deaths. Follow-up of the in-hospital survivors documented late survival rates of 91.5%, 74.8%, and 59.6% at 1, 5, and 10 postoperative years, respectively. Age (p<0.001), a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60 mL/min (p=0.006), and left ventricular (LV) mass (p<0.001) were significant predictors of mortality in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The surgical results and long-term survival of aortic valve replacement with concomitant CABG in patients with aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease were acceptable. Age, a GFR less than 60 mL/min, and LV mass were significant predictors of mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.480-483
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• 1999

The widely accepted method for coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) is performing the distal coronary artery anastomoses on the flaccid and nonbeating heart with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) and cardioplegic arrest. However, current cardioplegic techniques are not consistent in avoiding myocardial ischemic damages especially in high risk patients undergoing CABG. In this regard, "Off-Pump" seems to be an ideal method for preventing myocardial ischemic damage and adverse effects during CPB. However, "Off-pump" CABG is not always technically feasible. We report 2 cases of "On-pump" CABG performed on the beating heart in high risk patients; The first patient had left ventricular dysfunction(Ejection Fraction=25%), and the second patient had cardiogenic shock after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.48-51
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• 1994

Doing CABG in patient with renal transplantation requires special concern to keep and preserve renal function safely during and after operation. We experienced two cases of CABG for treatment of myocardial ischemia. who underwent renal transplantation 2 and 3 years ago respectively. The first patient received single reversed saphenous vein graft at LAD and second one received double saphenous vein graft at LAD and OMI. Peri & postoperative urinary volume and renal function test were comparable with preoperative status in both cases. Although abnormal lipid metabolism due to long term use of immunosuppressive regimen act a causative role in development and progression of coronary artherosclerosis in renal transplantation patient, CABG can be done safely with some precaution including maintenance of adequate mean blood pressure and blood level of immunosupressive regimen during cardiopulmonary bypass.