A Multicenter Initial Clinical Experience with Right Heart Support and Beating Heart Coronary Surgery

(#2000-1282 ... June 8, 2000)

L. E. Lima MD, PhD¹, F. Jatene MD, PhD², E. Buffolo MD, PhD³, F. Vanky, MD⁴, E. Casimir-Ahn, MD, PhD⁴, U. Lohn, MD, PhD⁴, P. Leprince, MD⁴, A. Pavie, MD⁵, Laczkovics, MD⁶, H. Reichenspurner, MD, PhD⁷, A. Calafiore, MD⁸, P. Nataf, MD⁹, M. Mack, MD¹⁰

¹Cardiocentro, Sta Lucia Hospital and Incor , Anchieta Hospital , Brasilia , Brazil
²Heart Institute, São Paulo,Brazil
³Univesity of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
⁴Linkoping Heart Center,Linkoping, Sweden
⁵La Pitie Hospital, Paris, France
⁶Cardiovascular surgery Center Bochum,Bochum ,Germany
⁷University Hospital Grobhadern, Munich,Germany
⁸G. D'Annunzio Chieti University, Chieti, Italy
⁹Centre Cardiologique du Nord, St. Denis, France
¹⁰Columbia Hospital at Medical City Dallas,USA

ABSTRACT

Background: During coronary surgery without CPB, exposure of posterior vessel via sternotomy can cause deterioration of cardiac hemodynamics requiring inotrope drugs support. Recent animal experiments demonstrate hemodynamic benefit of right heart support (RHS) with the AMED system.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic effects during cardiac manipulation to expose the posterior coronary arteries, and determine the effect of RHS in restoring hemodynamics, increasing anastomotic exposure and reducing inotropic requirements.

Material and Methods: From July 28 to December 29, 32 patients (25 men/ 7 women), mean age of 63.4 (± 6.2 years, ages: 49 - 78) received coronary revascularization with the A-Med RHS device. They were divided into two groups of 16 patients, A and B. Group A patients had at least one circumflex branch bypassed. The anterior wall was systematically bypassed off-pump without RHS. The right coronary artery (RCA) and the obtuse coronary artery (OM) were completed utilizing RHS. In group B patients, all vessels including anterior vessels were bypassed with the RHS.

Mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), cardiac output (CO) and the average pump flow (APF) were recorded during the OM and RCA bypass for group A, and for group B LAD data was also recorded.

Results: Elective beating heart coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was successfully accomplished in 32 patients with RHS. Data measurements recorded in Group A showed the improved hemodynamic recovery for OM and RCA bypass with RHS. The MAP increased from 44 to 68mmHg (OM) and from 63 to 81mmHg (RCA); the CO from 2.1 to 4.4 L/min (OM) and from 3.3 to 4.7 L/min (RCA). In group B, the data recorded showed the stability of the MAP in all vessels bypassed (LAD, OM and RCA). No device-related patient incidents ocurred. All 32 patients were discharged to their homes.

Conclusons: The AMED system, as RHS support, facilitated coronary bypass without CPB to posterior vessels, restoring hemodynamics, providing better exposure to anastomotic sites and apparently reducing inotropes need. Prospective randomize trials are necessary to confirm this initial experience.

AUTHOR/ARTICLE INFORMATION

Presented at the Third Annual Meeting of the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Atlanta, GA, June 8-10, 2000.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Leonardo Esteves Lima, Sta. Lucia Hospital, CARDIOCENTRO, SHLS Q. 716-Conj. C, 70.390-905, Brasilia-D.F., Brazil, Phone: (061) 2454041, Email: Leonardo_ESTEVES_LIMA@compuserve.com