Iside Folcarelli

Dr. Iside Folcarelli


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 August 2026 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BLBesola Laura
Besola Laura
IFIside Folcarelli
Iside Folcarelli
Federico GiorgiFederico Giorgi
Federico Giorgi
MMMatteo Mazzola
Matteo Mazzola
DRDanilo Ruggiero
Danilo Ruggiero
ACAndrea Colli
Andrea Colli
Objective: Robotic-assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (RA-MIDCAB) is a proven alternative to conventional off-pump sternotomy for revascularizing the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in low-risk patients. However, its role in higher-risk candidates remains poorly established. This study compares RA-MIDCAB with off-pump CABG (OPCAB) in intermediate/high-risk patients with moderately reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive high/intermediate-risk patients with depressed LVEF who underwent left internal mammary artery to LAD RA-MIDCAB or OPCAB at our center between January 2021 and August 2025. The primary outcome, assessed at discharge and follow-up, was a composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, and repeat revascularization. Secondary outcomes included ICU stay, red blood cells (RBC) transfusion volume, oro-tracheal intubation time, and acute kidney injury. Kaplan–Meier curves estimated the cumulative freedom from the primary outcome. Restricted mean survival time (RMST) at 1 year was calculated, with non-inferiority confirmed if the lower bound of the 95% CI exceeded − 8 days. A generalized linear model adjusted for confounders. Results: Seventy-two patients were included: 20 RA-MIDCAB and 52 OPCAB. EuroSCORE was 3.8 ± 1.9 and 3.5 ± 2.4 in RA-MIDCAB and OPCAB, respectively (p = 0.384), while mean LVEF was 40 ± 13 and 45 ± 9, respectively (p = 0.454). Other variables were comparable; however, RA-MIDCAB patients had higher rates of prior myocardial infarction (MI) (45% vs. 11.5%; p = 0.003) and PCI (40% vs. 13.4%; p = 0.022). Procedural time was longer for RA-MIDCAB (196 ± 66 vs. 182 ± 66 min; p = 0.048). Thirty-day mortality was comparable (0% RA-MIDCAB, 3.8% OPCAB; p = 0.374), while ICU stay and intubation time were shorter in the RA-MIDCAB group. Fewer RA-MIDCAB patients required >5 RBC units. At one year, freedom from the primary outcome was 95% vs. 83.6% (p = 0.2), with RMST favoring RA-MIDCAB by 34.6 days (p = 0.0067), meeting the non-inferiority threshold. Results remained consistent after adjustment. Conclusions: RA-MIDCAB is noninferior to OPCAB in intermediate- to high-risk patients with moderately depressed LVEF, offering a valuable alternative to conventional surgical revascularization. These findings need further confirm through the analysis of larger datasets and longer follow-up.