Comparison of early and long-term results with intraoperative transluminal balloon catheter dilatation and coronary artery bypass grafting

Twenty-six patients with chronic stable angina underwent intraoperative coronary artery balloon catheter dilatation and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In one patient (3.8%) the catheter could not be passed through the arterial narrowing, and in two patients (8%) early angiographic evidence for arterial damage was detected. Postoperative angiographic data were available in 85% of patients early (mean 10 days) and in 50% of patients late (mean 12 months). Early results showed one perioperative myocardial infarction, 100% relief of angina, and no operative mortality. Compared to preoperative studies, of 23 angiographically visualized distal narrowings dilated in an antegrade fashion, 12 (52%) were unchanged, two (9%) were worse, and nine (39%) were improved. Those arterial segments with discrete distal narrowings (n = 13) had better angiographic results than those with diffuse distal narrowings (n = 9). In 49% of the former and in 22% of the latter arterial narrowings, improvement (increased luminal diameter) was documented postoperatively. In addition, there were four proximal narrowings which were dilated in a retrograde fashion; three were unchanged and one was improved compared to preoperative studies. Only one of 27 dilated segments (3%) was totally occluded postoperatively. Late results showed two patients (8%) developed recurrent chest pain and one patient (4%) died related to congestive heart failure. The two patients who had angiographically documented coronary arterial intimal injury showed evidence of resolution at late study. In 13 distal narrowings, six (46%) were unchanged, three (23%) were worse, and four (31%) were improved compared to the preoperative appearance. In 10 distal narrowings visualized both early and late postoperatively, nine were unchanged and one was worse. In summary, coronary artery balloon catheter dilatation during CABG is relatively safe and is associated with acceptable clinical results. Angiographic evidence for improvement is less than symptomatic relief postoperatively. Therefore, objective evaluation may be necessary for accurate determination of operative results. The need for a national registry related to intraoperative angioplasty is probably warranted.