Complete arterial revascularization of multivessel coronary disease: are conduits sufficient?

BACKGROUND: Complete arterial coronary artery bypass grafting seems to be an alternative surgical approach in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Complications in the long-term follow-up due to degeneration of venous grafts may be reduced using arterial conduits. Prolonged operating times and increased trauma due to harvesting of multiple arterial grafts have been arguments for the conventional operative approach. We present our experience using new operative techniques, such as skeletonization of arterial grafts and the T-graft configuration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 3/96 and 7/99, 405 patients with multiple coronary artery disease underwent complete arterial revascularization at our institution. The operations were performed using only two skeletonized grafts, both internal thoracic arteries in 105 patients (25.9%), internal thoracic artery and radial artery in 299 patients (73.8%) and 1 radial artery in 1 patient (0.3%). RESULTS: In 346 patients (85.4%) a T-graft configuration was used. A mean of 4.1 +/- 0.9 coronary anastomoses were performed per patient. In hospital mortality was 2%. Sternal dehiscence or infection occurred in 0.8% of patients. Harvesting of the radial artery was performable with a low morbidity. One week postoperatively, coronary angiography showed 96.7% of coronary anastomoses free of stenosis > 50%. CONCLUSION: Complete arterial coronary revascularization using skeletonized grafts and the T-graft approach is a safe technique in the treatment of multiple coronary artery disease. Low perioperative morbidity and mortality make its usage on a routine basis possible.     

Should a Regurgitant Mitral Valve Be Replaced Simultaneously with a Stenotic Aortic Valve?

Mitral valve regurgitation frequently accompanies aortic valve stenosis. It has been suggested that mitral regurgitation improves after aortic valve replacement alone and that the mitral valve need not be replaced simultaneously Furthermore, mitral regurgitation associated with coronary artery disease, particularly in patients with poor left ventricular function, shows immediate improvement after coronary artery bypass grafting. We studied 60 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation to determine the degree of improvement in mitral regurgitation after aortic valve replacement alone versus aortic valve replacement combined with coronary artery bypass grafting. Thirty-six of the patients had normal coronary arteries (Group 1); the other 24 had symptomatic coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery (Group 2). Echocardiography was performed preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and at follow-up. In Group 1, left ventricular ejection fraction did not improve early or at 2.5 months postoperatively, but mitral regurgitation improved gradually during follow-up. In Group 2, mitral regurgitation showed improvement 1 week postoperatively (p < 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction was improved at 2.5 months. We conclude that patients with aortic valve stenosis and mild-to-severe mitral regurgitation, without echocardiographic signs of chordal or papillary muscle rupture and without coronary artery disease, should undergo aortic valve replacement alone. The mitral regurgitation will remain the same or improve. For patients with coexisting coronary artery disease, simultaneous aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting are imperative; however, the mitral valve again requires no intervention, since mitral regurgitation improves significantly after the other 2 procedures.     

Mid-to-long-term patency comparison of the right internal thoracic artery grafts on the left anterior descending and on the right coronary arteries

BACKGROUND: The excellent results obtained from internal thoracic artery for myocardial revascularization have led surgeons to simultaneous use of other arterial conduits, particularly the right internal thoracic artery. However, some controversy still exists regarding the optimal target coronary artery for this graft; different strategies have been proposed for bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 59 patients with right internal thoracic artery grafts were monitored using coronary arteriography in order to compare the patency of this graft on the left anterior descending and the right coronary arteries. The right internal thoracic artery was grafted to left anterior descending artery in 39 patients (group 1) and to right coronary artery in 20 patients (group 2). RESULTS: The mean period of follow-up was 64.07 months (range: 37 to 185 months). Overall, 8 of the 59 grafts (13.6%) were occluded at the arteriography. In group 1, 1 of 39 (2.6%) grafts and in group 2, 7 of 20 (35%) grafts are found to be occluded. These results are considered statistically significant (p < 0.001). COMMENT: The results show that the patency of the right internal thoracic artery is significantly better on the left anterior descending artery than on the right coronary artery in the mid-to-long term, and patency does not differ from the left internal thoracic artery on the left anterior descending artery.     

Apico-Aortic Conduit for severe aortic stenosis: Technique,applications, and systematic review

Patients referred for aortic valve replacement are often elderly and may have increased surgical risk associated with ascending aortic calcification, left ventricular dysfunction, presence of coronary artery disease, previous surgery, and/or presence of several co-morbidities. Some of these patients may not be considered candidates for conventional surgery because of their high risk profile. While transcatheter aortic valve replacement constitutes a widely accepted alternative, some patients may not be eligible for this modality due to anatomic factors. Apico-Aortic Conduit (AAC) insertion (aortic valve bypass surgery) constitutes a possible option in those patients. Apico-Aortic Conduit is not a new technique, as it has been used for decades in both pediatric and adult populations. However, there is a resurging interest in this technique due to the expanding scope of elderly patients being considered for the treatment of aortic stenosis. Herein, we describe our surgical technique and provide a systematic review of recent publications on AAC insertion, reporting that there is continued use and several modifications of this technique, such as performing it through a small thoracotomy without the use of the cardiopulmonary bypass.Abbreviations: AAC, Apico Aortic Conduit; AS, aortic stenosis; AVR, aortic valve replacement; BSA, body surface area; CABG, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery; CHF, congestive heart failure; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CPB, cardiopulmonary bypass; DHCA, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest; FEM-FEM, femoro-femoral; ITA, internal thoracic artery; LITA, left internal thoracic artery; LVH, left ventricular hypertrophy; LVOT, left ventricle outflow tract; NYHA, New York Heart Association; MDCT, multidetector-computerized tomography; MVR, mitral valve replacement; OPCAB, off pump coronary artery bypass; PH, pulmonary hypertension; RITA, right internal thoracic artery; TEE, transesophageal echocardiography; TAVI, transcatheter aortic valve implantation     

Total arterial myocardial revascularization--strategy,early and midterm results

Total arterial myocardial revascularization (TAMR) represents a new alternative procedure to the classical aorto-coronary bypass operation with venous graft material. The early and midterm results with the use of the left and right internal thoracic artery (LITA and RITA) and radial artery (RA) for coronary artery bypass grafting are analyzed to assess the suitability of these conduits for myocardial revascularization. From June 1997 to June 2001, 234 patients suffering from a coronary artery disease underwent TAMR at our institution. The bypass material consisted of 234 LITAs, 160 RITAs and 84 RAs. The most frequently used conduit combination was a T-graft (n=213) consisting of a free arterial graft (RITA or RA) centrally implanted into LIMA "in situ" using an end-to-site grafting technique. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.59+/-0.4. In 150 patients (64.1%), the operation was performed on an urgent basis and in 24 cases (10.2%) it was a reoperation. A mean of 3.3+/-0.9 coronary anastomoses per patient was performed. The mean aortic cross-clamping time was 71+/-20 minutes. In 194 cases (83%), the postoperative course was uneventful. The early mortality was 0.8% (n=2). Complications included myocardial infarction in 4 patients (1.7%), sternal infection in 2 (0.8%), renal insufficiency in 2 (0.8%), prolonged respiratory ventilation in 28 (11.9%) and reoperation for bleeding in 6 (2.5%). At a mean follow-up of 25+/-1.3 months 197 patients (96.6%) were asymptomatic. Late mortality was 3.3% (n=7). TAMR is a safe and reliable procedure with very good early and midterm results. The results reported in this study support the widened use of this coronary artery grafting strategy.     

Perioperative risk of aortic valve replacement after coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the operative risk of aortic valve replacement (AVR) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Twenty patients (sixteen male, four female) underwent AVR 1.5-20 years (mean: 8.2) after CABG. RESULTS: Patients had received a mean number of four bypass grafts (2-5) with the use of the left internal thoracic artery in seventeen patients. Mean age at the time of AVR was 70.5 years (57-82). All patients suffered from an aortic stenosis with a mean orifice area of 0.74 cm (2) (0.34-1.1) and a mean pressure gradient of 52.4 mm Hg (22-78). Ten mechanical (mean diameter 23.6 mm, 21-27) and ten biological (22.1 mm, 19-25) prostheses were implanted. Mean duration of surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cross-clamp time were 322.1 (205-645), 169.2 (87-411), and 77.1 (46-128) minutes, respectively. Fourteen patients had an uneventful postoperative course. A temporary neurological impairment, renal failure, and re-intubation for respiratory insufficiency for nine hours occurred in one patient each. Two patients died postoperatively (day 3 and 10) due to multiple cerebral infarctions. One patient required a replacement of the ascending aorta in deep hypothermia and re-implantation of the bypasses. He suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding on postoperative day 14 and expired on day 81 because of multi-organ failure. CONCLUSION: Aortic valve replacement after coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with an enhanced perioperative risk requiring meticulous decision-making and a sophisticated operative technique.     

Does myocardial revascularization with multiple arterial grafts improve the prognosis of dialysis patients?

In the present study it was examined whether myocardial revascularization with multiple arterial grafts improves the prognosis of dialysis patients. The 20 subjects underwent coronary artery bypass grafting over 2 vessels (extra-corporeal circulation in 11 patients, off-pump bypass in 9 patients) and were divided into 2 groups according the number of arterial grafts. Group A consisted of 9 patients in whom more than 2 arterial grafts were used and Group B, 11 patients requiring 1 internal thoracic artery and additional saphenous vein grafts. The surgical procedure was examined, as well as the short-term and long-term results of both groups. There were no differences in the profiles of the 2 groups. The mean arterial graft number in group A was 2.2+/-0.6 and 1.0+/-0.0 in group B. There was neither mediastinitis nor brain complication in either group. There were no operative deaths in group A and 1 in group B. The 55-month actuarial survival rate including all deaths, and estimated by cardiac deaths, was, respectively, 0.53+/-0.21 and 0.80+/-0.18 in group A and 0.42+/-0.21 and 0.53+/-0.23 in group B. The survival rate estimated by cardiac death in group A was better, but there was not a significant difference. Myocardial revascularization with multiple arterial grafts for dialysis patients had good short-term results without increased operative risk and may improve the long-term results related to cardiac death. However, there was no significant difference in survival including all deaths because of the numerous non-cardiac deaths.     

Technical considerations in patients undergoing combined aortic valve replacement and aortocoronary bypass surgery.

Forty-nine patients have undergone combined aortic valve replacement and aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass graft surgery using a technique of distal coronary perfusion. Vein grafts are placed before replacement of the aortic valve, and continuously perfused by siting the proximal anastomoses high on the aortic root or individually perfusing the grafts before proximal anastomosis. Continuous coronary ostial perfusion is used as well during aortic valve replacement. There were 3 (6.1%) operative deaths and 1 (2%) perioperative myocardial infarction. A comparison of this technique with other reported results suggests that attention to myocardial perfusion distal to significant coronary artery stenosis may decrease the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in patients requiring both aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass graft operation.     

Unexpected porcelain aorta after sternotomy for aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass surgery: aortic balloon valvuloplasty as a bail-out procedure

We describe the case of a man requiring aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting in whom a porcelain aorta was detected at surgery. Two coronary artery bypass grafts were done on a heart beating under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Weaning from CPB was impossible owing to the untouched aortic stenosis. A balloon aortic valvuloplasty was performed and CPB successfully weaned. Transapical aortic valve implantation was successfully performed 3 weeks later.     

Technical considerations in patients undergoing combined aortic valve replacement and aortocoronary bypass surgery.

Forty-nine patients have undergone combined aortic valve replacement and aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass graft surgery using a technique of distal coronary perfusion. Vein grafts are placed before replacement of the aortic valve, and continuously perfused by siting the proximal anastomoses high on the aortic root or individually perfusing the grafts before proximal anastomosis. Continuous coronary ostial perfusion is used as well during aortic valve replacement. There were 3 (6.1%) operative deaths and 1 (2%) perioperative myocardial infarction. A comparison of this technique with other reported results suggests that attention to myocardial perfusion distal to significant coronary artery stenosis may decrease the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in patients requiring both aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass graft operation.     

Takayasu arteritis with multiple cardiovascular complications

A 60-year-old Japanese woman first presented in 1990 with effort angina. She underwent coronary angiography and was diagnosed with bilateral coronary ostial stenosis and Takayasu arteritis. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for multiple vessels was attempted, but the blood flow in the bilateral internal thoracic and gastroepiploic arteries was to poor for a donor artery, and the calcification of the ascending aortic wall was too severe for anastomosis of saphenous vein grafts. Therefore, the proper hepatic artery was connected to the left anterior descending artery using a vein graft. In April 2000, the patient's angina worsened. Occlusions of both subclavian arteries, bilateral coronary ostial stenosis and vein graft occlusion, aortic valve regurgitation, and two severe stenoses of the descending aorta were observed. Aortic valve replacement, and coronary and aorta revascularization were desirable, but the severe aortic wall calcification and thickening rendered these interventions impossible. Treatment with medication was chosen. The patient was discharged without severe angina. A combination of these serious cardiovascular complications which do not allow any surgical intervention is very rare. Received: May 21, 2001 / Accepted: August 24, 2001     

瓣膜性心脏病伴缺血性心脏病的外科治疗

目的 :总结瓣膜性心脏病伴缺血性心脏病手术治疗的早期效果和经验 ,以期提高疗效。方法 :11例患者中 ,行主动脉瓣置换术 4例 ,二尖瓣置换术 2例 ,二尖瓣和主动脉瓣双瓣置换术 1例 ,主动脉带瓣管道置换 2例 ,二尖瓣成形术 1例和三尖瓣成形术 1例 ;搭 1支桥 4例 ,搭 2支桥 1例 ,3支桥 3例 ,4支桥 3例 ,平均 (2 .5±1.3)支。结果 :11例无手术早期死亡 ,痊愈出院 ;随访 2～ 16 (平均 6 .3)个月 ,心绞痛症状消失 ,心功能明显改善。结论 :对年龄 >5 0岁瓣膜病患者或具有冠心病高危因素患者 ,应行冠状动脉造影检查 ;彻底纠正心脏病变 ,加强心肌保护 ;妥善处理术后并发症 ,手术疗效满意     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for anastomotic stenosis after coronary arterial bypass grafting in Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for anastomotic stenosis after coronary arterial bypass grafting using the internal thoracic artery in patients with coronary arterial lesions due to Kawasaki disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From July 1997 to April 2000, four boys and one girl underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for 6 anastomotic lesions following coronary arterial bypass grafting using the left or right internal thoracic artery. Progressive severe stenosis of the grafts in the follow-up angiograms after grafting, and evidence of ischemia, were regarded as indications for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Age at coronary angioplasty ranged from 4.2 to 16.7 years, with a median of 6.9 years, while the interval from operation ranged from 0.3 to 3.0 years, with a median of 1.1 years. The diameter of the balloon catheter employed varied from 1.5 to 2.5 mm, and the pressure of inflation ranged from 8 to 16 atmospheres. RESULTS: The degree of stenosis decreased from 63 to 99%, with a median of 88%, to 0 to 40%, with a median of 17% immediately after angioplasty. A follow-up angiogram either 3 months or 1 year later revealed no restenosis in any patient. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a feasible and useful procedure for treating anastomotic stenosis following coronary arterial bypass grafting using the internal thoracic artery in patients with coronary arterial lesions due to Kawasaki disease.     

Complete arterial revascularization in the diabetic patient--early postoperative results

BACKGROUND: The prognostic benefit of arterial grafts appears to be particularly high in patients with diabetes mellitus, but has been limited by availability of grafts and sternal complications. Complete arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (caCABG) using skeletonized grafts, radial arteries (RA) and the T-graft approach may reduce the perioperative risk particularly in the diabetic patient. METHODS: The perioperative data of 174 diabetic (group I) and 402 non-diabetic patients (group II) who underwent caCABG were studied retrospectively. The operations were performed using bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITA) (I: 20%; II: 21%; ns) or ITA and RA (I: 80%; II: 79%; ns). Diabetic patients presented with a higher incidence of 3-vessel disease (I: 93%; II: 83%; p<0.05) and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (I: 55+/-16%; 11:60+/-16%; p<0.05). RESULTS: No differences were found regarding need of intraaortic balloon pump (I: 1.7%; II: 2.7%; ns), incidence of myocardial infarction (I: 1.2%; II: 1.7%; ns) and sternal complications (I: 2.3%; II: 1.0%; ns). In-hospital mortality was 1.7%(I) versus 2.2% (II) (p = ns). CONCLUSIONS: Using skeletonized arterial grafts and the T-graft approach, caCABG in diabetic patients is as safe as in non-diabetics. With the RA as a second graft, bilateral ITA harvesting is avoidable.     

Redo off-pump coronary bypass grafting with arterial grafts for Kawasaki disease

Surgical revascularization for coronary artery lesions secondary to Kawasaki disease is relatively uncommon. The late stenosis of the saphenous vein graft is the problem to be solved. We report a case of redo off-pump coronary bypass grafting in a 35-year-old man, 20 years after bypass grafting using a saphenous vein graft. Off-pump total arterial revascularization was performed uneventfully. The procedure comprised grafting of bilateral internal thoracic arteries to left anterior descending branch and obtuse marginal branch, and radial artery to AV branch and posterior descending branch. Off-pump total arterial revascularization is a safe and less invasive procedure at the time of redo operation, even for patients with Kawasaki disease.     

All internal thoracic artery composite graft revascularization

The aim of this study was to determine the most efficient design of composite grafts and clarify the technical feasibility rate of composite grafting using internal thoracic artery exclusively in patients undergoing triple-vessel revascularization. Retrospective analysis of 104 consecutive patients was carried out. An in situ left internal thoracic artery graft for the left anterior descending artery area, with attachment of the right internal thoracic artery to the side of the left internal thoracic artery to revascularize the circumflex and right coronary vessels, was the most efficient graft design. The technical feasibility rate was 80% (83/104 patients). The mean number of distal anastomoses for the entire group was 3.8+/-0.8 per patient. Intraoperative left internal thoracic artery flow rate was 91.6+/-37.8 mL.min-1. With more experience, it is thought that the technical feasibility rate could be increased.     

Mid to long-term results of circumflex coronary artery revascularization with left internal thoracic artery grafts

The current trend in coronary artery surgery is to revascularize the left coronary artery branches with bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITA). For this procedure, the right ITA is usually grafted to the left anterior descending coronary artery while the circumflex coronary artery is revascularized by the left ITA. The mid to long-term results of the left ITA on the circumflex system were examined in this study. Forty of 48 patients operated on between 1996 and 1998 who had undergone revascularization of the left coronary artery with both ITAs and who fulfilled the study criteria underwent control coronary arteriography to determine the mid to long-term patency of LITA grafts on the circumflex artery. The median time for follow-up was 53 months (range, 49 to 70 months). Of the 40 angiographically controlled patients, 35 had patent left ITA to circumflex artery anastomosis (87.5%). One graft stenosis and four graft occlusions were observed. In the same group, right ITA to left anterior descending coronary artery anastomoses were patent in 38 patients (95%). Left ITA grafts seem to be the conduit of choice for revascularization of the circumflex coronary artery. In combination with the in situ right ITA to left anterior descending coronary artery anastomosis, in situ left ITA grafting to the circumflex system can be done with acceptably low mortality and excellent long-term patency rates. Its utilization is particularly advised in young patients where the importance of left coronary artery revascularization by bilateral ITA grafts is increased.     

冠状动脉旁路移植术同期行瓣膜手术临床分析

目的总结在冠状动脉旁路移植术同期行心脏瓣膜手术的临床经验。方法30例患者在冠状动脉旁路移植术同期进行瓣膜手术,年龄40-76（62．9±10．4）岁。其中缺血性瓣膜病变22例,风湿性瓣膜病变8例。术前冠状动脉造影诊断26例,术中发现冠脉严重病变4例。全组共移植血管133支（平均4．43支）。同期行主动脉瓣置换术3例、二尖瓣置换术12例、二尖瓣成形术8例、双瓣膜手术7例。结果术后住院死亡1例（3．3％）,死于严重低心排血量。术后心功能Ⅰ级22例、Ⅱ级7例,均较术前明显改善。结论同期行冠状动脉旁路移植术和瓣膜手术安全、有效。冠心病与心脏瓣膜病同时存在明显加重了心肌损害,完善纠治瓣膜病变、充分心肌再血管化和严格的术中心肌保护是手术成功的关键。     

Surgical implications and results of combined aortic valve replacement and myocardial revascularization.

To better define the indications for and results of simultaneous aortic valve replacement and myocardial revascularization, a cohort of 271 patients with angiographically defined coronary anatomy who underwent xenograft bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement were analyzed. Two hundred and twelve patients had predominant aortic stenosis, and 55 had pure aortic regurgitation. Discordance between the clinical assessment of angina and the angiographic assessment of coronary artery disease was apparent in 39 percent of the patients with aortic stenosis and 45 percent of the patients with aortic regurgitation. Thirty-seven percent of patients in the aortic stenosis subgroup without angina and 41 percent of patients in the aortic regurgitation subgroup without angina had hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement were performed in 101 patients. The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction and operative death was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the subsets of patients with coronary disease than in those without coronary disease (9.9 percent versus 0.7 percent and 8.3 percent versus 2.2 percent, respectively). Late postoperative angina and myocardial infarction also correlated with the preoperative presence of coronary artery disease. Excluding operative mortality, the late actuarial survival rate (mean follow-up, 1.6 years; maximal follow-up, 4.9 years) was not statistically lower for the patients with coronary disease.It is concluded that angina pectoris in patients with aortic valve disease is not a reliable indicator of coronary artery disease and that patients with coronary disease who undergo aortic valve replacement have an increased risk. It is inferred from this study that preoperative coronary arteriography is advisable in most adults undergoing the evaluation of aortic valve disease and that simultaneous aortic valve replacement and myocardial revascularization may provide some protection against late attrition due to the combined effects of coexistent aortic valve and coronary artery disease.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass is safe and contributes to favorable long-term results

The aim of this study was to determine the indication for minimally invasive direct coronary artery surgery based on the operative and long-term results of conventional coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Operative results: The subjects included 505 patients who underwent isolated elective coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass from January 1995 through August 1999. The mean age at the time of surgery was 61.9 and the mean number of grafts per patient was 2.6. Long-term results: From January 1984 to December 1995, a total of 907 patients received coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass using the internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending artery with or without saphenous vein grafts to other coronary arteries. The rates of complete and incomplete revascularization were 69.3% (n = 629) and 30.7% (n = 278), respectively. Mean follow-up was 5.95+/-3.0 years. The operative results revealed low output syndrome occurred in 14 patients (2.8%), perioperative myocardial infarction with the appearance of new Q-waves in 5 (1.0%), renal failure requiring transient dialysis in 16 (3.2%), stroke with persistent sequelae in 5 (1.0%), and mediastinitis in 5 (1.0%). Two patients (0.4%) died in the hospital. The long-term results for the 907 patients revealed the 10-year actuarial survival, 10-year cardiac death free, and 10-year cardiac event free rates were 85.7%, 94.1%, and 77.3%, respectively. The 10-year survival rates was 88.4% among patients receiving complete revascularization and 79.3% among those receiving incomplete revascularization (p = 0.0334). The 10-year cardiac death free rate among patients undergoing complete revascularization was 96.3% and 88.7% among those receiving incomplete revascularization (p = 0.0016). The 10-year cardiac event free rates were 82.3% and 67.9%) among patients undergoing complete and incomplete revascularization, respectively (p = 0.0118). In view of the favorable operative and long-term results of conventional coronary artery bypass grafting, especially complete revascularization, we conclude that minimally invasive direct coronary artery grafting is an appropriate treatment for multi-vessel disease in carefully selected patients at a high risk for stroke and major comorbidities due to old age.