Surgery & Outcome
Randomization and Enrollment
All patients scheduled for CABG at the study centers will be screened for inclusion. Eligible patients who provide informed consent can be enrolled. Each center will keep a log of all screened patients with details on inclusion or reasons for exclusion. Randomization will be performed through a web-based randomization system. A confirmation e-mail with the details of the randomization will be sent to the contacts investigators of the single centers, the lead PI and the Data Monitoring and Analyzing Committee at the moment of randomization. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion between the two groups: Single Arterial Graft (SAG) and Multiple Arterial Grafts (MAG). Randomization will be stratified by the center (NOT the individual surgeon) and the type of second arterial graft used to provide treatment distribution in equal proportion.
Surgical Procedures
- In all cases one ITA will be anastomosed to the LAD.
- For patients randomized to the SINGLE ARTERIAL GRAFT group, SVG grafts will be used for all non-LAD target vessels.
- For patients randomized to the MULTIPLE ARTERIAL GRAFT group, the second ITA or the RA will be used to graft the main target vessel of the circumflex distribution.
- Identification of the second ITA or RA target will be based on coronary angiography and will be left to the judgement of the operating surgeon.
- The choice between second ITA and RA will be decided by the individual surgeon. The use of RAs previously submitted to catheterization for diagnostic or interventional procedures is strongly discouraged. For the use of RA grafts, a high-grade stenosis of the coronary target is highly recommended. A moderate stenosis is sufficient for the right ITA.
- The use of supplementary Arterial Grafts will be allowed ONLY in the MULTIPLE ARTERIAL GRAFT group. For right coronary targets, a high-grade target vessel stenosis is recommended for both the RA and RITA.
- The use of the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) as third Arterial Graft will be allowed in the MULTIPLE ARTERIAL GRAFT group. The use of the RGEA will be allowed only if the operating surgeon has a personal experience of at least 250 cases using the RGEA. It is recommended that the RGEA be used to graft vessels of the inferior wall with > 90% stenosis and is harvested in a skeletonized fashion.
- Proximal aortic anastomosis and conventional harvesting technique (open or endoscopic) are required for SV grafts.
Graft Assessment
The intraoperative assessment of graft patency using transit time flowmeter is a class IIA recommendation, level of evidence C of the Task Force on Myocardial Revascularization of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). The assessment of graft patency is not mandated as part of the protocol, but it is recommended.
Postoperative assessment of graft patency will be performed in those centers where this is the standard of care, using the method routinely used in those centers. The criteria used for the definition of graft status are summarized in the Appendix. Results of the patency studies when available will be entered in the case report form.
Secondary Prevention
Details of secondary prevention will be left at the discretion of the individual center. The use of evidence-based medication, including aspirin, statins, beta-blockers, and ACE-inhibitors is strongly recommended.
The use of dual antiplatelet therapy is recommended for 3 months after off-pump procedures, coronary endarterectomy or angioplasty and for 1 year in acute coronary syndromes.