Cross-Clamp Technique and Incidence of Stroke after Coronary Artery
Bypass Grafting: Know and Respect the Aorta Principle
Abstract
Objectives: One of the most severe and devastating complications
following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are cerebro-vascular
accidents. Atherosclerotic disease of the ascending aorta and epi-aortic
trunks has been considered the most probable cause of cerebral
embolization during CABG due to aortic manipulation and clamping. The
aim of this study is to investigate if single or double aortic clamping
may impact the incidence of neurological events. Methods: This is a
retrospective study which includes a series of patients who underwent
CABG from a single surgeon at our Institution from March 2006 to
December 2012. Patients were divided into two homogenous groups based on
the surgical technique: single-aortic clamping (SAC) (118 patients) and
double aortic clamp (DAC) (133 pt). Results: Median surgical time was
longer for the DAC group than for the SAC group (p= 0.015), but no
significant differences were found for the primary outcomes of stroke
and transient ischemic attack. The two groups presented a similar 30-day
survival. The follow-up was completed at 82% (median 11 years). The
Kaplan-Meier estimates a survival at 11 years of 81% and 88% for the
DAC and SAC group, respectively. Conclusions: Incidence of stroke seems
to be independent from cross-clamping technique and we could infer that
the global rate of stroke after CABG in low to moderate risk patients is
probably more influenced by other factors that further studies need to
address. Moreover, the appearance of the aorta at the time of surgery is
crucial to analyse to better personalize the strategy.