HCR vs. CABG Study

Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) is a combination of surgery and catheter procedures to open up clogged heart arteries. HCR is the intentional combination of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The HCR strategy combines grafting of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) coronary artery using the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) with PCI of non-LAD coronary stenoses. Drug-eluting stents are substituted for saphenous vein grafts (SVG) for non-LAD coronary targets, and the surgical LIMA to LAD bypass is performed, ideally through a minimally invasive, limited access, sternal-sparing approach.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgery to create a new path for blood flow to the heart. A healthy section of vein or artery from elsewhere in the patient's body will be attached to the coronary artery just above and below the area of concern, to create a way for blood to bypass the blocked part of the coronary artery.