Frequency of Coronary Endarterectomy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting at a Single Tertiary Texas Hospital 2010 to 2016 With Morphologic Studies of the Operatively Excised Specimens

This study examines the frequency of coronary endarterectomy (CE) procedures during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and determines the quantity of plaque in the specimens. Of the 2,268 CABG operations performed from January 2010 to June 2016, 35 patients had CE during CABG. The specimens were incised into 5-mm cross sections, stained by the Movat method, and examined. The number of CEs performed ranged from 0.21% to 4.01%. A total of 140 cm of specimens were examined, and all 140 cm contained considerable quantities of atherosclerotic plaque and narrowed lumens. The quantity of plaque present was similar to or greater than that observed in previously studied patients with fatal coronary artery disease. The frequency of CE during CABG varies greatly in surgeons. The quantity of plaque is enormous, and the lumens are severely narrowed.