Angiographic evaluation of graft patency in robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery: 8 year follow-up.

Background: Robotic telemanipulation systems have emerged as facilitating tools that enhance minimally invasive cardiac surgery.The purpose of this study was to evaluate graft patency by a combination of invasive and non-invasive coronary angiography methods in robotic-assisted coronary artery surgery(CABG) for optimal quality control.

Methods: Between April 2004 and February 2012, patients who had robotic-assisted CABG were called to have cardiac catheterization or multislice computed tomographic angiography to evaluate graft patency.

Results: One hundred patients out of a total 250 cases were followed for graft patency for a mean period of 60.3 ± 23.8 (range 12-94) months. Mean operative time and left internal mammary artery harvest time was 165.96 ± 19.5 and 41.74 ± 5.9 (range 30-55) min. Postoperative graft patency rate was 94% and freedom from target vessel re-interventions was 98%.

Conclusion: Robotic-assisted CABG can be accomplished with low morbidity, mortality and re-intervention rates. It is a safe procedure in selected patients and produces excellent mid-term graft patency.