Previous Stenting Doesn’t Affect Outcome of Extensive Endarterectomy for Diffuse Coronary Artery Total Occlusions: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Abstract

Background and aim: Extensive diffuse coronary artery total occlusions (CTOs) constitute a challenging surgical problem. Extensive coronary endarterectomy (CE) combined with CABG was suggested as a revascularization technique. It was claimed that previous stenting may affect outcome. The present study aimed to report the outcome of LAD endarterectomy for CTO and to determine the effect of previous stenting on this outcome. Patients and methods: The present retrospective study was conducted on 194 patients with CTO indicated for left anterior descending artery (LAD) endarterectomy. To reduce the bias related to unbalanced patients selection, propensity score matching analysis was used. According to the propensity score, 194 patients were included in the analysis. They comprised 66 patients with previous stent and 128 patients without previous stent. Patients were followed for a median (range) of 74.0 (6.0-149.0) months. The primary study outcome was LAD graft patency. Other outcome parameters included postoperative complications, hospital and ICU stay, and mortality. Results: Comparison between the studied groups regarding outcome parameters revealed no significant differences regarding graft patency (93.9% versus 89.1%; P = .27), graft survival (median [95% CI]: 134.3 months [127.0-141.5] versus 135.2 months [128.4-142.0]; P = .35), patients’ survival (93.9% versus 91.4%) and patients’ survival time (median [95% CI]: 132.3 months [125.0-139.5] versus 138.0 months [132.0-144.1]; P = .75]. Conclusion: The present study supports using CE as an adjuvant technique with CABG in patients with TCOs.   Patients and methods: The present retrospective study was conducted on 194 patients with CTO indicated for left anterior descending artery (LAD) endarterectomy. To reduce the bias related to unbalanced patients selection, propensity score matching analysis was used. According to the propensity score, 194 patients were included in the analysis. They comprised 66 patients with previous stent and 128 patients without previous stent. Patients were followed for a median (range) of 74.0 (6.0-149.0) months. The primary study outcome was LAD graft patency. Other outcome parameters included postoperative complications, hospital and ICU stay and mortality.   Results: Comparison between the studied groups regarding outcome parameters revealed no significant differences regarding graft patency (93.9 % versus 89.1; p=0.27), graft survival [median (95% CI): 134.3 months (127.0-141.5) versus 135.2 months (128.4-142.0); p=0.35], patients’ survival (93.9 % versus 91.4 %) and patients’ survival time [median (95% CI): (132.3 months (125.0-139.5) versus 138.0 months (132.0-144.1); p= 0.75].   Conclusions: The present study supports use CE as an adjuvant technique with CABG in patients with TCOs.