Coronary Artery Disease: Moshkovitz Y

Ben-Gal Y, Mohr R, Braunstein R, Finkelstein A, Hansson N, Hendler A, Moshkovitz Y, Uretzky G. · Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. · Ann Thorac Surg. · Pubmed #17126111 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) is a challenging area for percutaneous interventions; therefore, coronary artery bypass grafting is often considered and sometimes performed even in patients with single-vessel disease involving the proximal LAD. This study compares mid-term results of LAD revascularization using drug-eluting stents (Cypher) with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB). METHODS: From May 2002 to December 2003, 376 consecutive patients underwent myocardial revascularization of the LAD, 272 by Cypher and 104 by MIDCAB. After matching for age, sex, and extent of coronary artery disease, two groups of 83 patients each were used to compare the two revascularization modalities. The groups were similar; however, ejection fraction of less than 0.35 was more prevalent in the MIDCAB group and prior percutaneous coronary intervention in the Cypher group. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 1.1% in the MIDCAB and 0% in the Cypher group. Mean follow-up was 22.5 months. Two late cardiac deaths occurred in the MIDCAB group and one in the Cypher group (p = NS). Angina returned in 35% of the Cypher group and in 8.4% of the MIDCAB group (p < 0.001). There were 14 (16.8%) reinterventions in the Cypher compared with three (3.6%) in the surgical group (p = 0.005). Cox proportional hazard model showed that assignment to the Cypher group was the only independent predictor of reangina (hazard ratio [HR], 6.17, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.46 to 15.4). Treatment with Cypher was also an independent predictor of reintervention (HR 8.26, 95% CI, 1.68 to 40). CONCLUSIONS: Despite improved results of percutaneous interventions with Cypher to the LAD, mid-term clinical outcome of patients treated with MIDCAB was better.

Herz I, Moshkovitz Y, Braunstein R, Uretzky G, Zivi E, Hendler A, Ben-Gal Y, Mohr R. · Department of Cardiology, Assuta Medical Center, Sheba, Israel. · Heart Surg Forum. · Pubmed #16401540 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Reduction of restenosis and reinterventions was reported with drug-eluting stents (Cypher). This study compares results of multivessel Cypher stenting with bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting. METHODS: From January 2002 to June 2004, 725 consecutive patients underwent multivessel myocardial revascularization, 95 by 2 or more Cypher stents and 630 by BITA. After matching for age, sex, and extent of coronary artery disease, 2 groups (87 patients each) were used to compare the 2 revascularization modalities. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar; however, left main and the use of an intra-aortic balloon pump were more prevalent in the BITA group. The number of coronary vessels treated per patient was higher in the BITA group (2.71 versus 2.24 for BITA and Cypher, respectively; P = .001). Mean follow-up was 12 months. Thirty-day mortality was 0 in both groups. There were no late deaths in the BITA group and 2 (2.3%) in the Cypher group (P value was not significant). Angina returned in 29.9% of the Cypher group and 12.6% of the BITA group (P = .005). Multivariable Cox analysis revealed percutaneous intervention (PCI) (Cypher group) to be the only independent predictor of angina recurrence (Odds Ratio 2.62, 95% Confidence Interval 1.11-6.17). There were 10 reinterventions (PCI) in the Cypher group compared to 5 in the BITA group. One-year reintervention-free survival (Kaplan-Meier) of the BITA group was 96% compared to 88% in the Cypher group (P = .015). CONCLUSIONS: Midterm clinical outcome of surgically treated patients is still better. However, the reintervention gap between surgery and percutaneous interventions was reduced by treating 2 or more coronary vessels with Cypher stents.

Herz I, Moshkovitz Y, Loberman D, Uretzky G, Braunstein R, Hendler A, Zivi E, Ben-Gal Y, Mohr R. · Department of Cardiology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. · Ann Thorac Surg. · Pubmed #16305850 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Reduction of restenosis and reinterventions was recently reported with percutaneous interventions (PCI), including drug-eluting stents (Cypher; Cordis, Miami Lakes, FL). This study compares results of multivessel Cypher stenting with those of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting. METHODS: From January 2002 to June 2004, 768 consecutive patients underwent multivessel myocardial revascularization; 138 by PCI including Cyphers and 630 by BITA. After matching for age, sex, ejection fraction, extent of coronary disease, and congestive heart failure, two groups (113 patients each) were used to compare the two revascularization modalities. RESULTS: Both groups were similar; however, left main and intraaortic balloon were more prevalent in the BITA group. The number of coronary vessels treated per patient was higher in the BITA group (2.87 vs 2.22, p < 0.001). Follow-up ranged between 6 and 34 months. Thirty-day mortality was 0.9% in the BITA and zero in the PCI group (p = 0.32). There were no late deaths in the BITA and three (2.7%) in the Cypher group (p = 0.08). Angina returned in 28.3% of the Cypher and 12.4% of the BITA group, p = 0.003. A Cox proportional hazard model revealed assignment to the Cypher group to be the only predictor of angina recurrence (odds ratio 2.78, 95% confidence interval 1.46-2.56). There were 16 (14.2%) reinterventions in the Cypher group compared with six (5.3%) in the BITA group. One-year reintervention-free survival (Kaplan-Meier) of the BITA was 96% compared with 86.6% in the Cypher group (p = 0.005, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Despite improved results of PCI with Cyphers, midterm clinical outcome of multivessel patients treated with BITA is still better.

Moshkovitz Y, Mohr R, Braunstein R, Zivi E, Uretzky G, Ben-Gal Y, Herz I. · Department of Cardiology, Floor 6, Assuta Medical Center, 3 Spigel St, Petach Tikva 49261, Israel. · Chest. · Pubmed #16100171 links to  free full text

Abstract: STUDY OBJECTIVES: The left anterior descending artery (LADA), particularly when the proximal segment of the vessel is involved, is a challenging area for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs); therefore, coronary artery bypass grafting is often considered and sometimes performed even in patients with single-vessel disease involving the LADA. This study compares mid-term results of LADA revascularization with a drug-eluting stent (DES), with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in patients with single-vessel or multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). DESIGN: Matched-groups, retrospective cohort comparison between the DES and OPCAB. PATIENTS: From June 2002 to December 2003, 354 patients underwent myocardial revascularization of the LADA by OPCAB, and 168 by DES. After matching for age, sex, and extent of CAD, two groups (116 patients each) were used to compare the two revascularization modalities. The groups were similar; however, an ejection fraction of <30%, old myocardial infarction, and use of an intraaortic balloon pump were more prevalent in the OPCAB group. RESULTS: The average number of coronary vessels treated per patient in the two groups was similar (OPCAB, 1.97; DES, 1.6; p = 0.581). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.9% in the OPCAB group and 0% in the DES group (p = 0.329). The mean duration of follow-up was 12 months. There was one late death in each group. Angina returned in 31% of patients in the DES group and in 11.2% of the patients in the OPCAB group (p = 0.001). There were 12 reinterventions in the DES group compared to three reinterventions in the surgical group (p = 0.020). The only independent predictor (Cox proportional hazards regression model) of the return of angina (risk ratio [RR], 3.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57 to 7.14) and reintervention (RR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.34 to 11.24) was assignment to the DES group. CONCLUSIONS: The mid-term clinical outcome of OPCAB in patients with CAD, including multivessel disease, was better than that for PCIs with only one DES used in patients with similar extents of CAD.

Herz I, Mohr R, Moshkovitz Y, Ben-Gal Y, Adam SZ, Braunstein R, Uretzky G. · Department of Cardiology, The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. · Heart Surg Forum. · Pubmed #15799931 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study compared early results of left anterior descending artery (LAD) stenting using drug-eluting stents (Cypher) with off-pump bilateral internal thoracic arterial (BITA) grafting. METHODS: From June 2002 to June 2003, 200 consecutive patients underwent myocardial revascularization of the LAD territory, 100 by Cypher and 100 by BITA. The 2 groups were similar; however, left main disease and triple-vessel disease (20% and 75% versus 2% and 28%), age >70 (36% versus 17%) and intraaortic balloon pump (7% versus 0%) were more prevalent in the BITA group, and prior percutaneous coronary angiogplasty to the LAD was more prevalent in the Cypher group (28% versus 16%). RESULTS: The number of coronary vessels treated per patient in the BITA group was higher (2.7 versus 1.45, P < .01). Thirty-day mortality was 1% in the BITA group and 0% in the Cypher group. Mean follow-up was 12 months. There was 1 late death in each group. Angina returned in 32% of the Cypher group and in 1% of the BITA group. There were 9 reinterventions in the Cypher group: 7 coronary angioplasties (including 2 to the LAD) and 2 surgical interventions. There was neither recurrent angina nor reintervention in the surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher risk profile of patients treated with BITA, their clinical outcome is better. A longer and more complete angiographic follow-up is required to determine the role of drug-eluting stents in LAD revascularization.

Herz I, Moshkovitz Y, Hendler A, Adam SZ, Uretzky G, Ben-Gal Y, Mohr R. · Department of Cardiology, The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. · Ann Thorac Surg. · Pubmed #15620921 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study compares early results of left anterior descending coronary artery stenting using drug-eluting stents (Cypher) with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHODS: From June 2002 to June 2003, 386 consecutive patients underwent myocardial revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery territory, 130 by Cypher and 256 by OPCAB. After matching for age, sex, and extent of coronary artery disease, two groups (each with 94 patients) were used to compare the two revascularization modalities. The two groups were similar; however, old myocardial infarction and intraaortic balloon pump were more prevalent in the OPCAB group, and prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was more prevalent in the Cypher group. RESULTS: The number of coronary vessels treated per patient in the two groups was similar (1.54 versus 1.34, OPCAB and Cypher, respectively; not significant). Mean follow-up was 18 months. Thirty-day mortality was 1% in the OPCAB group and 0% in the Cypher group. There was one late death in each group. Angina returned in 31% of the Cypher group and in 11% of the OPCAB group (p = 0.001). There were nine reinterventions in the Cypher group: seven coronary angioplasties (including two to the left anterior descending coronary artery) and two surgical interventions. There were two reinterventions (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) in the surgical group (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the higher risk profile of patients treated with OPCAB, their clinical outcome is better. A longer and more complete angiographic follow-up is required to determine the role of drug-eluting stents in left anterior descending coronary artery revascularization.

Gurevitch J, Paz Y, Shapira I, Matsa M, Kramer A, Pevni D, Lev-Ran O, Moshkovitz Y, Mohr R. · Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. · Ann Thorac Surg. · Pubmed #10475404 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Complete arterial myocardial revascularization without the use of saphenous veins grafts was primarily performed on selected patient populations such as the young and nondiabetic. In a recently developed surgical technique, the internal mammary artery is dissected gently as a longer skeletonized artery, providing greater versatility for complete arterial revascularization, without saphenous veins grafts. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the impact of the routine use of double skeletonized internal mammary artery in 472 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between April 1996 and June 1997. Their average age was 65 years (30 to 87 years), 383 (83%) were men, and 89 (17%) women. One hundred sixty-nine (36%) of the patients were older than 70 years, and 145 (31%) were diabetic. The average number of grafts was 3.2 per patient (two to six grafts). RESULTS: Operative mortality was 1.7% (n = 8). The mortality of urgent and elective patients was 0.7% (3 of 410 patients), and that of emergency operations was 8.1% (5 of 62 patients; p < 0.01). There were three (0.6%) perioperative infarcts, and 6 patients (1.3%) sustained strokes. Sternal wound infection occurred in 8 patients (1.7%). Postoperative follow-up (1 to 25 months) was available in 462 patients (99%). Two-year actuarial survival was 96.8%, and 92% of the surviving patients are well and free of angina. Neither diabetes mellitus nor old age (>70 years) were significant independent predictors of any early or late untoward events. None of the 70 diabetic patients more than 65 years of age developed sternal wound infection. Chronic lung disease was found to be the only independent predictor for sternal infections. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of bilateral skeletonized internal mammary artery is a safe replacement for the current myocardial revascularization technique even in the old and diabetic patients.

Ben-Gal Y, Moshkovitz Y, Nesher N, Uretzky G, Braunstein R, Hendler A, Zivi E, Herz I, Mohr R. · Department of Cardiologu, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. · Ann Thorac Surg. · Pubmed #17062230 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Reduction of restenosis and reinterventions was recently reported with percutaneous interventions (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (Cypher). This study compares results of Cypher (Cordis, Miami Lakes, FL) stenting and surgical revascularization in diabetic patients. METHODS: From January 2002 to January 2005, 518 consecutive diabetic patients underwent myocardial revascularization; 176 by PCI incorporating Cyphers and 342 treated surgically. Single-vessel patients in the surgical group were treated with the left internal thoracic artery (ITA) and most multivessel patients were treated with two ITAs. After matching for age, sex, right system revascularization, and extent of coronary disease, two groups (86 patients each) were used to compare the two revascularization modalities. RESULTS: Both groups were similar; however, left main, poor ejection fraction, total occlusion, and bifurcation lesions were more prevalent in the surgical group, and in-stent restenosis in the PCI group. The mean number of coronary vessels treated was higher in the surgical group (2.05 vs 1.6, p < 0.001). Mean follow-up was 18 months. Overall mortality (early and late) was 2.3% and 3.5% in the Cypher and surgical groups, respectively (p = 0.65). Angina returned in 39.5% of the Cypher group and 15.1% of the surgical group, p < 0.001. There were 25 reinterventions in the Cypher group compared with five in the surgical group (p = 0.010). The Cox proportional hazard model revealed assignment to the Cypher group to be the only independent predictor of reangina (odds ratio [OR] 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63 to 6.53) and reintervention (OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.92 to 20.83). CONCLUSIONS: Despite improved results of PCI with Cyphers, midterm clinical outcome of diabetic patients treated surgically is better.