New Advances in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Dear Colleagues,

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains one of the most frequently performed cardiac surgical procedures, despite recent guidelines that focus heavily on results obtained by coronary percutaneous revascularization techniques. The increase in life expectancy in the general population is paralleled by an increased incidence of patients with multiple systemic comorbidities associated with advanced coronary artery disease. These factors have meant that cardiac surgeons and cardiologists now frequently deal with patients affected by aggressive coronary artery disease (both isolated and associated with valve disease) or severe left ventricular dysfunction. Furthermore, advanced age is often associated with other risk factors such as diabetes, renal insufficiency and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that significantly increase perioperative and long-term morbidity and mortality. Despite the percentage of patients who would benefit from total arterial revascularization, this technique is underused worldwide and does not exceed 15% of reported surgical coronary procedures. Another issue under debate concerns the indications for minimally invasive coronary surgery, which also constitutes a small percentage of coronary surgical procedures.

The aim of this special issue is to discuss, analyze and define the current status of coronary artery bypass grafting, both isolated and associated with other cardiac surgical procedures, and to enhance techniques and surgical strategies for reducing postoperative and long-term mortality and morbidity.

Major topic of this Special Issue includes:
o    CABG in older population
o    CABG and mitral valve surgery for functional mitral regurgitation
o    Total arterial revascularization
o    Off-pump CABG
o    Minimally invasive CABG (MID-CAB or robotic strategies)
o    CABG in left ventricular dysfunction
o    Systemic review and meta-analysis
o    Studies aimed at comparing CABG versus PCI 

Prof. Francesco Nicolini, Prof. Francesco Formica and Dr. Alan Gallingani

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