Abstract
The aim of the study: To compare the quality of life of two patient groups that underwent surgical revascularization (CABG) for ischemic heart disease (isolated high-grade stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD)): The first group: 40-patients, who were revascularized through a left anterior small thoracotomy (LAST); and the second group: 28 patients, who were revascularized using a median sternotomy approach. Material and methods: In our study we included all elective patients (between the years 2007-2012) with isolated high-grade LAD stenosis, good ejection fraction (> 50 %), no previous coronary interventions and no serious comorbidities.
From this set of patients a group of 40 patients (after CABG through a LAST approach) were evaluated (Group 1). The control group consisted of 28 patients (of a comparable profile) who underwent CABG from a median sternotomy approach (Group 2).
The SF-36 questionnaire was used to compare the quality of life. Results: There were no significant differences between group 1 and group 2 in all 8 evaluated quality of life categories.
Conclusions: The use of minimally invasive direct CABG from the LAST approach represents a suitable alternative for patients with isolated high-grade LAD stenosis who are indicated for the CABG procedure at our department. The benefits are mini-invasiveness of the procedure (mainly preservation of the sternum) which reduces surgical stress as well as the overall recovery time with the same results of revascularization.
However, the quality of life is comparable (with a median sternotomy approach) in the long term.