Sequential coronary artery bypass utilizing the internal mammary artery

Fifty consecutive patients underwent sequential bypass grafting of diseased coronary arteries using the left internal mammary artery (IMA) as a sequential bypass graft. There were no perioperative myocardial infarctions, and follow-up from 3 to 5 years revealed that all 50 patients are living and are free of angina. Technical aspects for use of the internal mammary artery as a sequential graft to two or more coronary arteries is technically a feasible procedure when certain guidelines are followed. We advise its use primarily for left anterior descending/diagonal connections and avoid its use when there is a wide angle between the latter vessels to avoid kinking. The distal end-to-side IMA anastomosis is always performed first to the most important coronary artery. With this approach if there is a problem with length or lie of the IMA graft, the sequential anastomosis to the lesser important coronary artery may be aborted. The side-to-side technique is used most often. Postoperative angiograms in 11 patients have revealed no evidence of stenosis, occlusion, or late ill effects.     

Coronary artery reoperation utilizing "free" gastroepiploic artery

A 57-year-old female underwent coronary artery bypass reoperation successfully by utilizing the free gastroepiploic artery (GEA) graft in combination with the in situ left internal mammary artery (IMA) graft. The left IMA was anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery and the "free" GEA was anastomosed to the left IMA proximally and to the first diagonal branch distally. The patient recovered well with a disappearance of angina. Postoperative angiogram at 6 weeks showed good patency of both grafts and improvement of left ventricular contraction was obtained. Thus, GEA can be utilized not only as an "in situ" graft, but also as a "free" graft, effectively.     

Sequential internal mammary-coronary artery bypass

Since April, 1977, a total of eight patients have undergone sequential bypass grafting of the internal mammary artery (IMA) to the coronary arteries at our institution. The indication for this newly described procedure was either insufficient supply of adequate veins (four patients) or the presence of a diseased aortic wall (two patients). Operative procedures included left IMA bypass to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and its major diagonal branch in six patients; to the obtuse marginal branch and distal circumflex artery in one patient; and to two consecutive sites on the LAD in one patient. All patients became angina-free after operation for a follow-up period lasting up to 6 years. Recatheterization studies were performed in four patients, in all of whom the IMA sequential grafts were found patent. We believe that IMA sequential grafting is an important option available to the cardiac surgeon in managing some patients with coronary artery disease.     

Crossed double internal mammary-to-coronary artery grafts.

Crossed double internal mammary (IMA)-coronary artery grafts (the left to the left anterior descending artery [LAD], the right to a diagonal or marginal coronary branch) were used without mortality and with excellent functional results in 36 patients requiring separate grafts to these vessels (22% of patients undergoing coronary revascularization). Flows were 70 +/- 9 ml/min in the left and 50 +/- 7 ml/min in the right IMA, respectively. All revisualized grafts remained patient. The location and direction of the LAD and of diagonal and marginal branches allow excellent alignment of these shorter and wider double IMA grafts. The left IMA is the graft of choice for the LAD, and the right IMA is the choice for a high diagonal or early arising marginal branch that requires an additional separate graft. The right IMA is not satisfactory for right coronary or LAD bypass.     

Totally endoscopic quadruple coronary artery bypass grafting is feasible using robotic technology

Multivessel robotic totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting is currently under development. Quadruple totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass has so far not been reported. A 75-year-old patient with multivessel coronary artery disease underwent daVinci Si-assisted completely endoscopic placement of a left internal mammary artery bypass to the left anterior descending artery and construction of a right internal mammary artery Y-graft off the left internal mammary artery to the posterior descending artery. The left internal mammary artery was also connected to a diagonal branch as a sequential graft. The obtuse marginal branch was revascularized using an endoscopically harvested vein graft originating from the left axillary artery.     

Clinical results of sequential and "Y" grafting with the internal mammary artery

One hundred and sixty-five patients (125 men, 40 women; age ranged from 40 to 81 years), underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in the 3 years period from 1986 to 1988. The internal mammary artery (IMA) was applied to 125 patients (75.8%). The sequential left IMA grafting to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and the diagonal branch (Dg) was performed in 9 out of 125 patients. In 3 of 9 patients, the right IMA was simultaneously grafted to the obtuse marginal branch (OM). In situ bilateral IMAs grafting to the LAD and Dg or LAD and OM were used in 13 patients. In three patients, "Y" grafting (the free right IMA was anastomosed to the side of the in situ left IMA) was performed for LAD and Dg. Eighty-one of 82 IMA grafts (99%) were patent about 1 month after operation. Three patients (1.8%) died during hospitalization, one from Low Output Syndrome, two from cerebral infarction. Perioperative complication included myocardial infarction in 5 (3.0%), cerebral infarction in 10 (6.0%). We concluded that the IMA could be applied in multivessel grafting as well as single vessel grafting in severe diffuse coronary artery disease in the Japanese, and the early patency was good even in the sequential and "Y" grafting.     

Technical Considerations and Early Results of Sequential Left Internal Mammary Artery Bypass Grafting to the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery System

The use of the internal mammary artery (IMA) as a coronary artery bypass graft conduit has recently been expanded to include sequential bypass grafting of multiple vessels. This has the theoretical advantage of allowing a greater percentage of myocardium to be revascularized with a conduit that has superior long-term patency rates. This article reviews technical considerations including maximizing IMA graft length and diameter, avoidance of an acute mediastinal or epicardial course, as well as anastomotic techniques for optimizing results of sequential IMA bypass grafting to the left anterior descending coronary artery system.     

From Vineberg to bypass: a "second-hand" internal mammary artery.

A patient operated upon 20 years ago for myocardial revascularization with two Vineberg procedures and one coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) on the right coronary artery had a recurrence of unstable angina due to the thrombosis of the left internal mammary artery (IMA) and the right CABG. The right IMA was patent but stenosed distally. Reoperation was performed with a direct end to side anastomosis of the patent right IMA onto the left anterior descending artery and a saphenous vein graft as a CABG on the marginal branch. We comment on the choice of this "second hand" IMA graft and the pathological appearances of the patent IMA.     

机器人微创非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术

目的 评价da Vincis机器人系统进行胸廓内动脉(IMA)游离、小切口非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术的安全性和手术效果.方法 2007年1月到2011年3月,105例患者接受机器人IMA游离、小切口非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术.其中男性77例,女性28例,年龄33～77岁,平均(59±10)岁.患者术前行64排CT检查评估IMA质量,2例患者左LIMA纤细或走行异常弃用.术者于操作台前、三维成像系统下遥控机器人游离IMA并完成动脉桥与靶血管的徒手吻合.其中4例患者旁路移植后接受了杂交技术于回旋支或右冠状动脉行支架植入术.术中均以超声血流检测仪测量桥血管的波形及血流.术后以冠状动脉造影或64排CT评估桥血管的通畅性,并进行随访.结果 所有患者成功接受上述手术,无手术死亡病例.术中平均IMA血管桥血流量为(21±13) ml/min.1例于术后第1天突发心跳骤停经抢救后痊愈,复查桥血管通畅.1例合并脑梗死患者术后肺部感染,痊愈后出院.其余患者无并发症发生.术中及术后出血少,术后恢复快.随访1～51个月,平均(30±12)个月.术后冠状动脉造影或64排CT复查未见桥血管狭窄或闭塞,心绞痛症状缓解.结论 机器人IMA游离、小切口非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术创伤小、疗效确切、安全性好,是微创冠状动脉再血管化的重要方向之一.     

Long-term blood flow potentials in sequential internal mammary artery grafts. Exercise thallium scan for myocardial perfusion study.

In two groups of patients, coronary artery bypass surgery for angina pectoris included internal mammary artery (IMA) sequential grafts (group I) or single grafts (group II). At postoperative angiography all grafts were patent. In addition, the patients received on average 1.8 vein grafts into other coronary arteries. The mean interval to postoperative follow-up was 9.5 years in group I and 9.7 years in group II. The preoperative incidence of acute myocardial infarction was 44% and 45% in groups I and II. Exercise thallium scan at follow-up showed IMA graft-related ischemia in 33% of the patients with sequential graft and in 64% of those with single graft (ns). Our results indicated that sequential IMA grafts functioned at least as well as single grafts and maintained adequate myocardial supply even 10 years postoperatively. Internal mammary arteries are superior graft material and can be recommended both as single and as sequential graft in coronary artery bypass surgery.     

Techniques for multiple internal mammary artery bypass grafts

Long-term patency of the internal mammary artery graft surpasses that of all other bypass conduits. The use of multiple internal mammary artery grafts should improve the long-term results following coronary artery bypass grafting. Technical factors used in mobilizing, preparing, and anastomosing the internal mammary artery are discussed in this article. Fifty-three patients received sequential attached left internal mammary artery grafts from April, 1982, to August, 1983. In 6 of these patients, the right internal mammary artery was anastomosed to a circumflex marginal branch. There were no operative deaths or instances of low cardiac output. One patient suffered anastomotic narrowing that possibly could have been prevented by excision of excess tissue from the internal mammary artery pedicle. Multiple internal mammary artery grafting should have a profound influence on the results of coronary artery bypass grafting.     

非体外循环冠状动脉搭桥术的技术改进──先吻合桥血管近端的“顺行序贯式”吻合术

目的探讨先吻合桥血管近端的“顺行序贳式”吻合技术住非体外循环心脏不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术（off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting,OPCABG）中应用的临床意义和价值。方法56例患者行OPCABG术中采用先吻合桥血管近端的“顺行序贯式”吻合术：先行带蒂左乳内动脉与左前降支吻合;若使用游离桥血管则先与升主动脉吻合,再与左前降支吻合。然后用大隐静脉或桡动脉进行“序贯式”吻合搭桥。结果与左前降支吻合的桥血管：带蒂左乳内动脉49支,游离左乳内动脉1支,桡动脉4支,大隐静脉2支。采用大隐静脉进行“序贯式”吻合：4个吻合口（包括近端吻合口）32例,3个吻合口15例。桡动脉进行“序贯式”吻合：4个吻合口2例,3个吻合口7冽。大隐静脉-右冠状动脉单桥5支。总搭桥207支,平均3．7支／例。术后心绞痛症状全部缓解,无围术期急性心肌梗塞。54例随访2～70个月,无新发心绞痛,无死亡病例。结论应用先吻合桥血管近端的“顺行序贯式”吻合技术,可使OPCABG更简便、安全、有效,更有益于多支病变患者,尤其是急危重症的冠心病患者。     

Repair of damaged internal mammary artery

The use of the internal mammary artery (IMA) in coronary artery bypass graft surgery is an independent predictor of late survival in all subsets of patients and should not be denied to any subgroup. Therefore damage to the IMA during harvesting is a catastrophic complication after which the graft is usually discarded. We present here a simple and safe technique for repair of a damaged left IMA that allowed its rescue for grafting to the left anterior descending artery.     

Right internal mammary artery extended with an inferior epigastric artery for circumflex and right coronary bypass.

The right in situ internal mammary artery extended end to end with a free inferior epigastric artery was used through the transverse sinus for sequential grafting to one marginal branch of the circumflex artery and one or both distal branches of the right coronary artery. This procedure was applied in 5 patients with three-vessel disease who received in addition a left in situ internal mammary artery as a sequential graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery and one of its diagonal branches. The postoperative course was uneventful in all cases. A postoperative coronary angiogram obtained on day 10 in 4 patients showed all the grafts and anastomoses patent.     

Free arterial graft in coronary artery bypass surgery

Free arterial graft of the internal mammary artery (IMA) and the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) has been utilized for coronary artery bypass grafting in 10 patients during 44 months period. There were 6 males and 4 females and age ranged 42 to 73 year old with the mean of 60.8 year old. Eight IMA and 2 GEA were used as a free graft. Sites of distal anastomosis of the free graft were 3 at anterior descending arteries, 3 at diagonal branches and 4 at circumflex arteries. Sites of proximal anastomosis of those grafts were ascending aorta in one, concomitantly utilized saphenous vein graft in 5 and in situ IMA graft in 4 patients. Mean number of grafts was 2.9 (2-5) and mean aortic cross clamp time was 56.2 minutes (16-90 minutes). There was neither operative death, nor perioperative myocardial infarction and intra-aortic balloon pumping was not required. Postoperative angiography was made in 9 patients within 3 postoperative months. Eight (89%) free arterial grafts were patent. Relief of angina was obtained in all patients. We concluded that the complete revascularization with only arterial graft can be achieved more widely by utilizing the free arterial graft with an acceptable patency.     

Internal mammary artery graft at reoperation: risks, benefits, and methods of preservation

To determine the effect of a prior internal mammary artery (IMA) graft on coronary artery bypass reoperation (CABR), we reviewed our experience with 410 consecutive patients: 313 received only saphenous vein grafts at initial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and 97 received at least one IMA graft at CABG. Cardiac catheterization data before CABG were available in 110 patients (56 received only saphenous vein grafts, 54 received at least one IMA graft), allowing comparison of left ventricular function at CABG and CABR. Injury of the IMA graft occurred in 5 patients (1 death), but presence of an IMA graft was not an independent predictor of morbidity or mortality. Overall, the incidences of complications and deaths were higher in patients with saphenous vein grafts than in patients with IMA grafts, though not significantly so. Internal mammary artery grafts better preserved cardiac function: patients with IMA grafts had worse left ventricular function before CABG but better left ventricular function before CABR than patients with saphenous vein grafts. Left ventricular function deterioration from before CABG to before CABR was significantly less in patients with IMA grafts. We conclude that the risk of CABR is not increased by a previously constructed IMA graft and that left ventricular function is better preserved at CABR when an IMA graft was constructed at the initial operation.     

Flow characteristics in single and sequential aorto-coronary by-pass grafts

Thirty five patients, operated upon with an aorto-coronary by-pass graft to left anterior descending artery and to a major diagonal branch, were prospectively analysed. The patients were divided into two comparable groups, in whom a single graft technique and a sequential graft technique was used respectively. Flows through the by-passes were measured electromagnetically during the operation. Flow to left anterior descending artery was significantly higher through an isolated by-pass than through a sequential by-pass. Flow to diagonal branch showed no significant difference in the two groups. The resistance of the intramyocardial coronary bed of the left anterior descending artery was lower with single than with sequential by-pass technique, while no difference existed between the resistance of intramyocardial coronary bed of the diagonal branch with both techniques. Blood velocity was higher in single by-pass to the left anterior descending artery than in the peripheral segment of sequential vein graft directed to the anterior descending artery.     

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass using H graft for pleural symphysis.

In November 1995, video-assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass procedure, which is defined as a combination of the thoracoscopic internal mammary artery (IMA) harvest and direct coronary bypass grafting, was introduced for patients who need minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) using IMA. In the thoracoscopic IMA harvest, the pleural adhesions or symphysis present an obstacle. We present a case where a redo patient who had complete pleural symphysis of left chest cavity precluded the thoracoscopic IMA harvest, and MIDCAB with the H graft procedure was performed.     

全机器人胸廓内动脉游离非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术

目的总结全机器人下不开胸胸廓内动脉（IMA）游离心脏不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术的初步经验。方法使用da Vinci S全机器人系统,完成胸廓内动脉游离心脏不停跳下冠状动脉旁路移植术15例。所有患者均有心绞痛症状,其中4例患者有心肌梗死病史,冠状动脉造影显示严重的前降支病变,2例患者对角支及回旋支亦有病变。手术过程中于左侧胸壁打直径为1cm的器械臂孔3个,医生于操作台前在三维成像系统下操控机器人进行胸廓内动脉的游离,其中13例行左侧胸廓内动脉游离,1例行双侧胸廓内动脉游离,1例行对侧胸廓内动脉游离。游离结束后,沿左胸前第4肋间行长度为6cm小切口开胸,13例于心脏跳动下行胸廓内动脉和前降支的吻合,2例同时吻合对角支或回旋支。其中1例是完全机器人不停跳下冠状动脉旁路移植术。结果所有患者均成功接受胸廓内动脉游离,无胸廓内动脉损伤及术式的转变。胸廓内动脉和前降支、对角支和回旋支吻合后桥血流良好。术中平均出血量80ml,平均ICU时间20h,术后恢复好。结论全机器人不开胸胸廓内动脉游离技术精细、安全,不停跳下冠状动脉移植术效果确实、可靠,术后效果良好。     

Clinical and angiographic assessment of complex mammary artery bypass grafting

The internal mammary artery has become the coronary bypass graft of choice in recent years because of enhanced long-term patency. Along with this trend, sequential, bilateral, and free mammary grafts have been employed more frequently in an effort to maximize the number of distal internal mammary anastomoses. This approach of maximally using the internal mammary artery (complex mammary grafting) seems logical, but at present little information about patency of the newer types of internal mammary artery grafts is available to justify the more complicated procedures. Over a 15 month period, 207 patients underwent bypass graft angiography from 1 to 32 weeks after operation. This is an 85% restudy rate for a consecutive series of coronary bypass procedures. Patency was defined as complete filling of the graft and distal vessel bypassed. A total of 841 distal vessels were grafted, or 4.1 per patient. The overall patency rate was 91% for 503 distal vein graft anastomoses and 99% for 338 internal mammary artery grafts. Individual patency rates of distal anastomoses, expressed as number patent/total (percent patent), were as follows: simple vein grafts, 262/285 (92%); sequential vein grafts, 196/218 (90%); left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending coronary artery, 109/110 (99%); left internal mammary to circumflex marginal artery, 14/14 (100%); right internal mammary to right coronary artery, 19/20 (95%); right internal mammary to left anterior descending coronary artery, 10/10 (100%); right internal mammary to circumflex marginal artery via transverse sinus, 18/20 (90%); sequential left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending system, 133/134 (99%); sequential left internal mammary to circumflex marginal system, 15/15 (100%); free internal mammary artery, 9/9 (100%); free sequential internal mammary artery, 6/6 (100%). Of the 18 patent transverse sinus right internal mammary grafts to the circumflex marginal artery, three exhibited very slow flow and probably were not functional. The hospital mortality associated with internal mammary revascularizations was 0.4% for nonemergency cases and 3.1% for emergency procedures. On the basis of clinical and postoperative graft patency data, expanded use of more complicated types of mammary grafts seems justified. Function of the right internal mammary graft to the circumflex marginal artery was suboptimal, and this method has been discontinued. All other complex mammary techniques had excellent patency rates as compared to vein grafts, and these differences may become even more significant in the late postoperative period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)