Coronary artery bypass graft
Anesthesia type

GA

Airway

ETT

Lines and access

PIV x2 Arterial line Central line [often 2] Introducer ± PA catheter

Monitors

Standard 5-lead ECG Temperature ABP CVP TEE NIRS ± PAP

Primary anesthetic considerations
Preoperative

beta-blocker discussion with surgeon regarding any regional anesthesia adjuncts

Intraoperative

Heparinization for graft harvest Full heparinization prior to coming on CPB Hemodyamics and cardiac function coming off CPB Reversal of heparin with protamine Discussion with surgeon regarding extubation in OR

Postoperative

transfusion and vasopressor requirements inotropic support

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Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, also known as CABG, is a common cardiac surgery procedure in which vein or artery is used as a conduit and is either grafted from the aorta (or if using left internal mammary artery, used in situ) to a coronary artery beyond a blockage in the vessel, with goal of improving blood flow to the heart, i.e. surgical coronary re-vascularization. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is considered first choice of graft due to high patency rate of > 90% at 10 years, though saphenous vein grafts are often used as well. It is most often indicated for individuals with significant multi-vessel Coronary Artery Disease, in particular those with Diabetes Mellitus or left main coronary vessel disease; it can also be used on a more emergent basis for those with Acute Coronary Syndrome and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction cases that are refractory to PCI or maximal medical management. It can be described by the number of vessels to be bypassed (single, double, triple, quadruple) as well as the technique (traditional on-pump, off-pump or minimally invasive direct).

Preoperative management

Patient evaluation

System Considerations
Neurologic cognitive function

Identify any atherosclerotic lesions along carotid vessels

Cardiovascular Identify diseased vessels & any associated collaterals

Evaluate LVEF, wall thickness and valve functionality

All antianginal medications should be given day of surgery

Pulmonary
Gastrointestinal
Hematologic Confirm T+S and at least 4 units pRBCs are on hold, as well as FFP

Anticoagulation is common in these patients

Renal Evaluate for any pre-operative renal insufficiency
Endocrine Evaluate HgbA1c and if Insulin-dependent diabetic, note current insulin regimen
Other Redo sternotomies have a greater risk of significant bleeding and complication

Labs and studies

  • CBC, CMP
  • PT, PTT
  • CXR: to evaluate for abnormalities (cardiomegaly, pleural effusions)
  • EKG: check for LBBB. If a PA catheter is planned, occasionally patients with LBBB may develop a third degree block as a consequence of PA catheter placement

Operating room setup

  • Have at least 5-8 channels for infusions
    • Epi, norepi, carrier, insulin (some institutions use phenylephrine in place of norepi)
    • Consider ketamine, precedex, ancef
  • Drugs:
    • Heparin, protamine, calcium
  • Perfusion technician should be available along with cell saver
  • Fluid warmer
  • Triple transducers primed and zeroed
  • Internal defibrillator/pacer available in room
  • TEE machine with appropriately sized probe

Patient preparation and premedication

  • All cardiac medications should be continued on day of surgery except ACE inhibitors which should be stopped 24h prior to surgery

Regional and neuraxial techniques

  • Pre-Op: Erector Spinae Plane Block -- check departmental policy as institutions vary on candidacy for pre-op block based on vessel pathology

Intraoperative management

Monitoring and access

  • 2 large bore PIVs
  • Arterial line
  • CVP
  • Cordis
  • +/- Pulmonary artery catheter

Induction and airway management

  • Cardio-protective induction with etomidate vs standard induction with propofol depending on patient's cardiac function and pathology

Positioning

  • Supine position

Maintenance and surgical considerations

  • Redo sternotomies have higher risk of significant bleeding

Emergence

  • Patients are not emerged and instead remain under anesthesia during transit to cardiac ICU

Postoperative management

Disposition

  • Cardiac ICU

Pain management

  • Can consider regional anesthesia with parasternal intercostal plane blocks

Potential complications

  • MI 6%
  • CVA 5%
  • Mild neuropsychatric effects 90%
  • Death 1-3% (preop-risk dependent)
  • Transfusion 40-90%
  • Delirium 8%-15%
  • Atrial fibrillation Up to 35%
  • Renal failure 1%
  • Mediastinitis 1-2%

Procedure variants

Variant 1 Variant 2
Unique considerations
Position
Surgical time
EBL
Postoperative disposition
Pain management
Potential complications

References