Non-Robotic Endoscopic-Assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvest-A Historical Review and Recent Advancements.

: The non-robotic endoscopic harvest of the internal mammary artery (IMA) facilitates minimally invasive bypass grafting while minimizing chest wall trauma. The technique was pioneered in the early 1990s and has recently regained popularity due to its accessibility and reproducibility. This review aims to provide an overview of endoscopic IMA harvest from its inception to the present.

Early discharge with elevated C-reactive protein levels is safe after endoscopic-assisted coronary bypass grafting: Optimisation of postoperative care.

Objective: This study describes the perioperative kinetics of C-reactive protein in patients undergoing endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting for single target vessel left anterior descending disease, with early postoperative discharge.

Methods: From July 2021 to April 2024, patients were included in this single-centre retrospective study ( = 208), excluding C-reactive protein-modulating complications. Perioperative and 14-day follow-up C-reactive protein levels and clinical signs of infections were analysed.

A review of nomenclature in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting-the anarchy of terminology.

Objectives: Since the development of minimally invasive coronary surgery, nomenclature has rapidly grown to distinguish each unique method. The goal of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the different terms used for minimally invasive coronary bypass grafting through the years.

Methods: A literature search was performed in August 2024 using the PubMed electronic database.

Endoscopic-Assisted Multivessel Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Experience of the First 100 Procedures.

Background: This study presents an overview of our technique and the perioperative outcomes for the first 100 patients who underwent minimally invasive endoscopic-assisted off-pump multivessel bypass grafting (endoscopic coronary artery bypass [endo-CAB]) at the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven.

Methods: The first 100 patients undergoing multivessel endo-CAB from May 2022 to March 2024 were included in this retrospective, single-center, observational study (N=100). The study encompassed both elective and urgent surgical revascularization.

Endoscopic-assisted, minimally invasive versus sternotomy total arterial multivessel bypass grafting.

Objectives: This single-centre study compared the perioperative outcomes after total arterial multivessel revascularization through endoscopic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery compared to a conventional sternotomy approach.

Methods: In this retrospective, propensity score-matched (PSM) cohort study, a total of 740 patients were analysed [endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (Endo-CAB), N = 92; Sternotomy, N = 648]. After PSM (1:2 ratio), 73 Endo-CAB and 137 sternotomy patients were compared with an equal number of distal anastomoses (Endo-CAB 2.

Minimally invasive off-pump bypass grafting-positioning the right posterior descending coronary artery.

Minimally invasive coronary surgery offers benefits to the patient. Besides the anterior wall, the lateral and inferior walls can be reached through a small thoracotomy with off-pump techniques. Thoracoscopic coronary identification can be very useful in these multivessel procedures.

Thoracoscopic-assisted, minimally invasive versus off-pump bypass grafting for single vessel coronary artery disease - A propensity matched analysis.

Objective: This study compared perioperative outcomes after off-pump revascularization through a thoracoscopic-assisted (non-robotic) minimally invasive approach (Endo-CAB) or sternotomy approach (OPCAB) for patients with single vessel left anterior descending (LAD) disease.

Methods: In this retrospective, propensity matched cohort study, 266 consecutive patients were included in the Endo-CAB group (n = 136) and OPCAB group (n = 130). After propensity score matching 116 Endo-CAB and 116 OPCAB patients were compared.

Concomitant atrial fibrillation ablation in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in cardiac surgery effectively restores sinus rhythm and may reduce morbidity and mortality. Cardiac surgery has witnessed the transition from the historical Cox Maze procedure to more modern and less invasive approaches for concomitant AF treatment. As minimally invasive cardiac surgery gains traction, ablation methods and careful patient selection become crucial to optimize results.

Thoracoscopic (non-robotic) harvesting of bilateral internal mammary artery grafts.

Minimally invasive coronary surgery offers benefits to the patient. Harvesting the internal mammary artery remains a challenging part of this procedure. We describe our technique for thoracoscopic harvesting of the left and right mammary arteries using routine endoscopic instruments.

Learning Curve of Thoracoscopic Nonrobotic Harvest of the Left Internal Mammary Artery in Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Objective: Harvest of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is a technically demanding element of minimally invasive coronary surgery. We aimed to evaluate the learning curve of thoracoscopic, nonrobotic LIMA harvest during endoscopic coronary artery bypass (Endo-CAB) surgery.

Methods: Eighty patients undergoing Endo-CAB surgery were included.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy and donor age affecting permanent pacemaker implantation after heart transplantation.

Aims: The need for permanent pacemakers (PMs) after heart transplantation (HT) is increasing. The aim was to determine the influence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), donor age, and other risk factors on PM implantations early and late after HT and its effect on survival.

Methods And Results: A retrospective, single-centre study was performed including HTs from 1984 to July 2018.

Recovery of conduction disorders after sutureless aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: Conduction disorders and the need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation after surgical aortic valve replacement are well-recognized complications. However, in the case of sutureless valve prostheses, it remains unknown whether pacemaker (PM) dependency and conduction disturbances resolve over time. Our aim was to evaluate whether conduction disorders after Perceval sutureless valve implantation recover during follow-up.

Extensive scar modification for the treatment of intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia in patients after congenital heart surgery.

Background: Catheter ablation is an important therapeutic option for atrial tachycardias in patients with CHD. As a result of extensive scarring and surgical repair, multiple intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia circuits develop and serve as a substrate for arrhythmias. The best ablation approach for patients with multiple intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardias has not been investigated.

Predictive value of great saphenous vein mapping prior to endoscopic harvesting in coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objectives: The use of endoscopic vein harvesting in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting is increasing, often using bedside mapping. However, data on the predictive value of great saphenous vein (GSV) mapping are scarce. This study assessed whether preoperative mapping could predict final conduit diameter.

Evolution of perioperative blood transfusion practice after coronary artery bypass grafting in the past two decades.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Transfusion of blood products after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the perioperative use of blood products in patients undergoing CABG in our institution over the past two decades.

Methods: The study included 18 992 patients who underwent isolated CABG at our hospital between 1998 and 2017.

Robotic navigation shows superior improvement in efficiency for atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Because of the expanding atrial fibrillation (AF) burden, AF catheter ablation (CA) techniques have to become more efficient. Efficient AF CA procedures are characterized by successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) within reasonable procedure time. Currently there are many PVI techniques available and all show substantial improvements over time.

Conduction disorders and impact on survival after sutureless aortic valve replacement compared to conventional stented bioprostheses.

Objectives: Sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valve prostheses are frequently used for the treatment of aortic stenosis. However, postoperative left bundle branch block (LBBB) and permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation have emerged as frequent complications. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of new-onset LBBB and PPM implantation after sutureless aortic valve replacement (sAVR) with stented bioprostheses, and the impact on postoperative survival.

Epicardial Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion Reduces Blood Pressure in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Hypertension.

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE) has evolved as an alternative strategy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Recent observational data have suggested that epicardial LAAE can have substantial impact on arrhythmia burden and hemodynamic profile.

Objectives: The authors aimed to study the impact of epicardial versus endocardial LAAE on systemic blood pressure in hypertensive AF patients.

Clinical research: remote magnetic navigation vs. manually controlled catheter ablation of right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias: a retrospective study.

Aims: Remote magnetic navigation (RMN) is an alternative to manual catheter control (MCC) radiofrequency ablation of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) arrhythmias. The data to support RMN approach is limited. We aimed to investigate the clinical and procedural outcomes in a cohort of patients undergoing RVOT premature ventricular complex/ventricular tachycardia (PVCs/VT) ablation procedures using RMN vs.

Significantly Elevated C-Reactive Protein Levels After Epicardial Clipping of the Left Atrial Appendage.

Objective: Besides mechanical and anatomical changes of the left atrium, epicardial closure of the left atrial appendage has also possible homeostatic effects. The aim of this study was to assess whether epicardial clipping of the left atrial appendage has different biochemical effects compared with complete removal of the left atrial appendage.

Methods: Eighty-two patients were included and underwent a totally thoracoscopic AF ablation procedure.

Mycotic innominate artery aneurysm repair using a bovine pericardial bifurcation prosthesis.

We report the use of a bovine pericardial bifurcation prosthesis to repair a mycotic innominate artery aneurysm.

Sutureless aortic valve replacement in a calcified homograft combined with mitral valve replacement.

Background: Aortic valve replacement in a patient with an aortic homograft can be very challenging, especially when concomitant mitral valve surgery needs to be performed.

Case Presentation: We report a case of implantation of a sutureless aortic valve bioprosthesis combined with mitral valve replacement in a patient with a severely calcified aortic homograft where conventional valve replacement was technically unfeasible.

Conclusions: We believe that sutureless AVR is a viable option especially for young patients with a high surgical risk where conventional valve replacement cannot be achieved.