Hybrid coronary revascularization: a mainstream revascularization strategy in the future?

Revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting is superior to percutaneous coronary intervention in cases of complex multivessel coronary artery disease. The superiority is demonstrated by reduced rates of repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction and all-cause death. By contrast, stroke occurs more frequently after coronary artery bypass grafting. Hybrid coronary revascularization combines the survival benefits of left internal mammary artery-to-left anterior descending coronary artery grafting, fast recovery and minimized surgical trauma, reduced risk of stroke by avoidance of aortic manipulation and the long-term patency of drug-eluting stent treatment of left anterior descending coronary artery lesions. Accordingly, results from registry studies are compatible with the short- and long-term superiority of hybrid coronary revascularization as compared with conventional revascularization using percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting.