Re-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement with patent coronary artery bypass grafts

Objective - The aim was to evaluate early and long-term outcomes of re-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement with previous patent coronary artery grafts. Methods - Data for re-sternotomy for aortic valve replacements (group 1 isolated AVR, group 2 AVR with concomitant procedure) were collected (2000-19). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality and postoperative composite outcome (in-hospital death, TIA/stroke, renal failure requiring new hemofiltration, deep sternal wound infection, re-exploration for bleeding/tamponade and length of stay >30 days). Survival curves were compared using log rank test. Cox proportion hazards model was used for predictors of long term survival. Results – Total 178 patients were included (groups 1 - 90 patients, group 2 - 88 patients). Mean age was 75±4 years and mean log EuroSCORE was 17±12% (15 ± 8% - group 1 vs 19 ± 14% - group 2, p=0.06). Mean follow up was 6.3±4.4 years. Cardiovascular injury occurred in 12%. LIMA was most commonly injured. In-hospital mortality was 7.8% (5% - group 1 versus 10.2% - group 2, p=0.247). NYHA class III-IV, perioperative IABP and cardiovascular injury were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (HR; 13.33, 95% CI; 2.04, 83.33, p=0.007). Survival was significantly worse with cardio-vascular injury at re-sternotomy up to 5 years (46% versus 67%, p=0.025) and postoperative complications (p=0.023). Survival was significantly lower than age matched first time AVR and UK population. Conclusions – Long term survival is significantly impaired by cardiovascular injury and perioperative complications of re-sternotomy.