Comparison of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft-First and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention-First Approaches for 2-Stage Hybrid Coronary Revascularization.

Background: Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) was developed to combine the advantages of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is still controversial whether it is more optimal to perform CABG or PCI first. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of these 2 approaches.

Early Outcomes of Endoscopic Vein Harvesting during the Initial Learning Period.

Background: The endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) method has been used in coronary artery bypass surgery in many countries. We started using the EVH method recently, and investigated the results during the early learning period.

Methods: Between March 2012 and June 2014, 75 patients (31 patients in the EVH method group, and 44 patients in the open method group) who underwent isolated first-time coronary artery bypass grafting using vein grafts were retrospectively analyzed with respect to the early outcomes including graft patency and risk factors for leg wound complications.

Hybrid coronary revascularization using limited incisional full sternotomy coronary artery bypass surgery in multivessel disease: early results.

Background: There are several modalities of coronary artery revascularization for multivessel coronary artery disease. Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting was introduced for high-risk patients, and recently, many centers have been using it. Limited incisional full sternotomy coronary artery bypass (LIFCAB) involves left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-to-left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) anastomosis through a sternotomy with a minimal skin incision; it could be considered another technique for minimally invasive LITA-to-LAD anastomosis.

Assessment of stroke and concomitant cerebrovascular disease with heart disease requires invasive treatment: analysis of 249 consecutive patients with heart disease.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships of cerebrovascular disease (CVD), heart problems, and stroke in patients who required an invasive cardiac procedure.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 249 consecutive patients who required to or underwent invasive cardiac treatment and divided into a non-CVD group (n = 116) and a CVD group (n = 133). The latter group was divided into a coronary artery disease (CAD) group (n = 118) and a non-CAD group such as cardiac structural lesions (n = 15).

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor minimizes negative remodeling of decellularized small diameter vascular graft conduits but not medial degeneration.

Background: Poor endothelialization and intimal hyperplasia are major causes of small diameter vascular conduit (SDVC) failure. The present study was aimed to investigate the influence of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on inhibiting adverse remodeling of decellularized SDVCs.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats implanted with allograft infra renal abdominal aortic conduits were divided into 2 groups according to whether they were treated with G-CSF (+G-CSF group; n=6) or without (Decell group; n=6).