Complete myocardial revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery T graft

BACKGROUND: The internal thoracic artery is widely recognized as the ideal graft for coronary artery bypass procedures. However, because of the inadequate length of the conduit, use of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting was not suitable for complete revascularization. To overcome this limitation, the T graft was introduced in the 1990s. We decided to prospectively assess the safety of this technique. METHODS: One hundred six patients with a mean age of 51.5 years underwent complete revascularization with an internal thoracic artery T graft. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.60 (range, 0.22 to 0.85). RESULTS: No patient required reexploration for bleeding, and no patient died within 30 days after operation. On the basis of electrocardiographic changes, 3 patients sustained a perioperative myocardial infarction. One patient had a sternal wound infection. Mean follow-up was 35 months (range, 15 to 61 months). The actuarial survival rate was 99% +/- 1% at 5 years. No myocardial infarctions were reported during the follow-up. Seven patients had recurrent angina. Eighty patients (76%) underwent postoperative stress tests, and 90% had negative results. CONCLUSIONS: Complete myocardial revascularization with the T graft is a safe and reliable technique with excellent midterm results.     

Coronary revascularization by long endarterectomy and reconstruction]

Endarterectomy and reconstruction of the coronary arteries is a technique for patients with diffuse coronary disease and in whom coronary bypass grafting is contraindicated. In a serie of 418 patients undergoing coronary bypass between May 1988 and April 1990, 55 had endarterectomy and reconstruction of a coronary artery. The mean age was 62.2 years (44-80 years). Twenty-five patients had class III (NYHA) angina and 30 had class IV angina. On the coronary angiogram, 10 patients had double-vessel disease and 45 had triple vessel disease. Endarterectomy and reconstruction were performed on one coronary artery in 53 patients and on two coronary arteries in 2 patients. At mean of 2.6 grafts per patient were performed. Four patients died during the perioperative period. Ten had a perioperative myocardial infarction. No other complications were noted. No residual postoperative angina was present. Five patients had a follow-up angiogram during the first postoperative month. All grafts were patent and correctly revascularised the endarterectomised artery and branches. These satisfactory preliminary results suggest that endarterectomy and reconstruction of the coronary arteries is a reliable and reproducible technique for coronary grafting. It is indicated in patients with diffuse atheromatous coronary disease who were previously not considered for surgery.     

Coronary revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts]

Thirty-two patients underwent coronary revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts. Each patient received 2.7 grafts in average including double ITA grafts. Seventeen patients had the right ITAs as free grafts. The other sixteen were treated with 13 autologous veins and 9 right gastroepiploic arteries in addition. Fifty-five grafts out of 56 (98.2%) were proved to be patent at the time of hospital discharge. The postoperative morbidity included three reoperations for bleeding and one perioperative inferior myocardial infarction. One patient died of colon perforation after surgery and another died of cerebral infarction late after surgery. These results exhibited that coronary artery bypass grafting with bilateral ITA grafts had relatively low risks and could contribute to complete revascularization in patients with diseased coronary arteries.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass: MIDCAB and OPCAB

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting via left anterior small thoracotomy (MIDCAB) and coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass (OPCAGB) are accepted technique as less invasive than conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We reported our experience with these procedures. From 1996 to December 1999, 176 patients underwent MIDCAB or OPCAB with the internal thoracic artery. The left internal thoracic arteries were used for grafting of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in 131 patients, LAD and diagonal branches sequentially in 8 patients, using free radial artery conduits for grafting of the right coronary artery (RAC) or left circumflex (LCx) in 7 patients, using radial artery conduits as Y-graft from LAD for grafting of the RAC or LCx in 24 patients, and bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting was performed in 4 patients. One patient (0.6%) died in the hospital. One patient (0.6%) had perioperative myocardial infarction. No patient had cerebrovascular accident and sever wood infection. One-hundred-seventy-four patients (98.8%) had resolution of their angina symptom.     

Clinical results of free (aorta-coronary) internal thoracic artery grafting

In the two year period from 1989 to 1990, 22 patients (18 men, 4 women; age range from 40 to 59 years) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using in situ and free internal thoracic arteries (ITAs). 23 of total 38 ITA grafts were free grafts in the aorta-coronary position, mainly to provide sufficient graft length. All of 34 ITA grafts were patent in 20 patients with coronary arteriography about one month after operation. There were no early and late death, and all patients were free from angina after a 9.4 month mean follow-up. Perioperative complications included reoperation for the bleeding in one case and the elevation of left diaphragm in one case, but there was no other major complication such as perioperative myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction or mediastinitis. These results indicated that the free ITA could be applied as well as the in situ ITA in multiple CABG of the Japanese with good patency rate and low operative risk.     

Single versus bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts with concomitant saphenous vein grafts for multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting: effects on mortality and event-free survival

BACKGROUND: The issue of superiority of single internal thoracic artery grafting versus bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting remains unresolved. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcome of single and bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting with concomitant saphenous vein grafting for multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Between March 1985 and April 1995, 6650 patients underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with internal thoracic artery grafts, including 4382 patients with multivessel bypass grafting requiring at least 3 grafts. Outcomes of patients undergoing single internal thoracic artery plus saphenous vein grafting (n = 2547) and bilateral internal thoracic artery plus saphenous vein grafting (n = 1835) were obtained at a mean follow-up of 11 +/- 3 years. RESULTS: Patients with bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting were younger, were mostly male, and had less diabetes, hypertension, unstable angina, and recent myocardial infarction than patients undergoing single internal thoracic artery grafting. Thirty-day mortality was 2.3% for the group undergoing single internal thoracic artery grafting versus 1.2% for those undergoing bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting (P =.007). Survival probability at 10 years was 88% for the single-graft group compared with 93% for the bilateral-graft group (P <.001). Multivariate analysis with propensity scoring showed that bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting decreased the risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.90), myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.93), and coronary reoperation (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.80) throughout the follow-up period. Other significant predictors of death were diabetes, prior myocardial infarction, need for intra-aortic balloon pump, chronic heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing bilateral internal thoracic plus saphenous vein grafting appear to have a significantly better long-term clinical outcome than patients undergoing single internal thoracic artery plus saphenous vein grafting for multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Use of the internal mammary artery as a free graft with reimplantation of the proximal end onto the ascending aorta. Apropos of 39 cases]

From January 1987 to January 1991, 104 patients received bilateral internal mammary artery grafts and 39 of them had coronary bypass with a free graft implanted on the ascending aorta. There were 35 men, with a mean age of 57.35 years (range 41 to 70 years). 87% of them had stable angina, and 23 had preoperative myocardial infarction. The left ventricular function was good in 77 per cent of cases. 23 patients had three vessel disease (61.5%), 13 two vessel diseases (30.7%), 2 one vessel disease (5.12%) and one a left main coronary stenosis. Left internal mammary artery was used in two patients on the left descending artery and the right internal mammary artery was used in 37 patients: 15 on the circumflex, 15 on the right coronary, 4 on the LDA and 3 on the diagonal artery. Five patients had one graft, 32 two grafts and one three grafts (bilateral mammary and saphenous vein). Hospital mortality was 2.56% (1 patient) and there were 2 late deaths (5.12%). There were 5 perioperative myocardial infractions (12.8%) and no sternal infections. The mean follow up is 21 months (range 3 to 46 months). At follow-up, 34 patients (87.2%) were asymptomatic, and there were no myocardial infarctions. Postoperative angiography in 8 patients (mean postoperative time 2.5 months) showed that all the grafts were patent. This analysis demonstrates that free IMA graft has a low operative risk and provides excellent long term functional improvement and survival.     

弥漫性冠状动脉病变的外科治疗

目的总结非体外循环心脏跳动下冠状动脉内膜剥脱后行非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术（off—pump CABG）治疗弥漫性冠状动脉病变的早期临床结果和经验，以提高手术疗效。方法2003年5月～2006年11月，对83例弥漫性冠状动脉病变患者在非体外循环下做冠状动脉内膜剥脱后行off—pump CABG，其中男61例，女22例；年龄55-80岁（65±7岁）；加拿大心脏病协会（CCS）心绞痛分级：Ⅱ级7例，Ⅲ级20例，Ⅳ级56例。有心肌梗死史36例（43．4％）。冠状动脉造影显示：双支血管病变5例，3支病变78例，其中合并左主干病变16例。左心室射血分数25％～65％（51％±16％）。83例共行110支冠状动脉内膜剥脱，其中左前降支系统67支，回旋支、钝缘支9支，右冠状动脉系统34支。20例内膜剥脱后先用大隐静脉片行左前降支成形，再在补片上用乳内动脉行旁路血管移植；应用左乳内动脉83支，桡动脉2支，余均为大隐静脉，每例移植血管3．9±1．2支。结果无手术死亡。术中移植血管血流满意101支（92％），血流量为22±16ml／min。术后发生心肌梗死4例，梗死面积小，无血流动力学改变，未给予特殊治疗。83例患者皆痊愈出院。随访75例（90．4％），8例失访，随访时间8～50个月，无心绞痛发作。8例患者在手术后3～29个月复查冠状动脉造影显示：冠状动脉内膜剥脱后行off—pump CABG的移植血管均通畅。结论非体外循环下冠状动脉内膜剥脱后行off—pump CABG，安全可行，再血管化程度高，是治疗弥漫性冠状动脉病变的有效方法。     

Surgical angioplasty with exclusion of atheromatous plaques in case of diffuse disease of the left anterior descending artery: 2 years' follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: A new surgical technique of coronary artery angioplasty for diffuse and extensive lesions of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is evaluated in this study. METHOD: Ninety-four coronary artery reconstructions (CAR) using a new technique of angioplasty of the LAD were performed: mean age of patients was 59+/-8 years, there were 21 patients with unstable angina, and 21 with recent myocardial infarction (MI). Surgical technique: Diseased LAD is bypassed with the internal thoracic artery graft (ITA). The anastomosis is made downstream from the significant proximal lesion of the LAD. A long arteriotomy (from 2 to 12 cm) is performed along the LAD up to the healthy arterial wall, followed by coverage with the onlay graft of ITA in such a fashion as to exclude the plaques from the LAD lumen. The wall of the new reconstructed LAD consisted of 75% of ITA and 25% of native LAD. The remaining part of the native LAD forms a posterior gutter giving the origins of septal and diagonal branches. RESULTS: aortic cross-clamping time was 116 min, operative mortality rate was 3.2% (three patients), peri-operative infarction rate 6.6% (six patients). The follow-up was 29 months (SD=10). Of the 91 survivors, two were lost for follow-up and one died of non-cardiac causes. Of the 88 patients clinically evaluated, 81 were free from angina and other cardiac events, two had new myocardial infarction in a non-grafted area, two were in congestive heart failure, and three in angina class II. Sixty patients underwent angiography. There were 57 perfect-patency CAR (95%), two ITA string sign (competitive flow), two ITA occlusions (2.5%) and no re-stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: CAR allows revascularisation of diffusely diseased LAD with acceptable operative mortality and morbidity, 2 years' good clinical results and graft patency. In this series, exclusion of plaques prevented plaque complications.     

Role of right gastroepiploic artery in myocardial revascularization with arterial grafts

Between July 1990 and December 1992, 112 patients underwent myocardial revascularization with arterial grafts in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Milan. Monovascular patients were excluded from the study. The right gastroepiploic artery was used in 44 patients (39.3%); mean age was 54.3 years and reoperation rate 18.2%. Of the 44 patients, previous myocardial infarction had occurred in 25 (57%). Emergency operation was performed in one case (2%). Mean left ventricular shortening fraction was 36% and mean ejection fraction 58.6%. Coronary artery disease was bivascular in 10 patients (23%) and trivascular in 34 (77%). The arterial revascularization in patients with gastroepiploic artery was performed using a left internal thoracic artery graft in all 44 patients; the right internal thoracic artery was used in 18 (41%) and the inferior epigastric artery in two (4%). The sites of gastroepiploic artery grafting were 55% posterior descending, 16% right coronary artery, 11% posterolateral branch, 14% circumflex and in 4% posterior descending and posterolateral as sequential graft. No patient died; postoperative myocardial infarction rate was 4%. No complications related to gastroepiploic artery utilization were noted. Forty-three (98%) of the gastroepiploic artery group underwent graft reinvestigation: the arteries were correctly visualized in 41 patients (95%) and were patent in 39 cases and stenotic in two. A mid-term postoperative stress test (mean 17.4 months) was performed in 91% of patients. Normal limits were found in 37 patients (92.5%) and an abnormal stress test result in three (7.5%). The contemporary follow-up showed no deaths or myocardial infarctions. Three patients (7%) had recurrent angina. The rote of gastroepiploic artery in arterial revascularization has become fundamental, especially, it is believed, for the posterior or posterolateral left ventricular wall. The present data show the patients to be clinically and functionally well 1 year after operation.     

非体外循环下冠状动脉内膜剥脱后搭桥治疗弥漫性冠状动脉病变

目的探讨非体外循环心脏跳动下冠状动脉内膜剥脱后搭桥治疗弥漫性冠状动脉病变的早期临床结果和经验。方法2003年5月—2005年5月,对53例弥漫性冠状动脉病变患者行非体外循环下冠状动脉内膜剥脱后搭桥手术治疗。53例中,男性41例、女性12例,年龄55～79(64±7)岁。加拿大心脏病协会心绞痛分级：Ⅰ～Ⅱ级15例,Ⅲ级6例,Ⅳ级32例。有心肌梗死史26例(49%)。冠状动脉造影：双支病变3例,3支病变50例,其中合并左主于病变9例。左心室射血分数0．26～0．65(0．52±0．17)。53例共行70支冠状动脉内膜剥脱：左前降支系统38支,其中5例内膜剥脱后先用大隐静脉片行前降支成形,再在补片上用乳内动脉搭桥;回旋支的钝缘支8支;右冠状动脉系统24支。应用左乳内动脉53支,桡动脉2支,余均为大隐静脉桥,人均搭桥(3．8±1．1)支,再血管化指数1．03±0．07。结果术中桥血流测定显示63支桥血流满意,7支欠满意。术后2例发生围手术期心肌梗死,但对血流动力学无明显影响。53例皆痊愈出院。44例随访6～29个月,无心绞痛发作;9例失访。6例在手术后3～27个月复查冠状动脉造影,显示桥血管均通畅。结论非体外循环下冠状动脉内膜剥脱后搭桥,安全可行,再血管化程度高,是治疗弥漫性冠状动脉病变的有效方法。     

Total Arterial Revascularization of the Heart using both Mammary Arteries and the Right Gastroepiploic Artery

From April 1988 to April 1989, nine patients (seven men and two women) with coronary three-vessel disease and disabling angina underwent elective myocardial revascularization. None of the patients had available veins because of previous bypass procedures (three) or extensive varicosis (six). On standard cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest the right and the left mammary arteries (RIMA, LIMA) and the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) were anastomosed each to a major coronary branch (none of them as free graft) in each patient. All patients survived the operation but one, who died 2 weeks after the operation of a bilateral pneumonia. Autopsy revealed patent anastomoses. One patient had to be reexplored for bleeding. Two patients required temporary inotropic support. There was no perioperative myocardial infarction. All survivors were discharged home in an average of 18.7 days after the operation, are free from angina, and all have negative stress tests (mean follow-up 7.7 months) but one with severe coronary atherosclerosis who experiences slight exertional angina despite good patency of the grafts. Five patients were recatheterized after a mean interval of 5.4 months after operation revealing in all cases patent anastomoses. Total revascularization of the heart with arterial grafts is feasible, safe, and it could become the method of choice if patency persists in the long run.     

Coronary revascularization with arterial graft alone]

In the period from December 1989 until July 1991, coronary revascularization were performed on 56 patients using arterial grafts and no venous grafts. The ages of the patients ranged from 43 to 85 years (average; 66.8 years), and there were 33 males and 23 females. Twenty-four patients had angina pectoris, 23 had old myocardial infarction and 9 had acute infarction. There were 3 patients with single-vessel coronary disease, 19 with double-vessel, 31 with triple-vessel and 9 with left main coronary disease. The bypass grafts used were 58 left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts, 29 right internal thoracic artery (RITA) grafts, and 56 right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) grafts. Thus, 143 grafts were used and an average of 2.6 bypasses were created per patient. There were two operative deaths. One of these patients had acute myocardial infarct. Investigation of postoperative graft patency was performed in the 122 grafts that could be examined angiographically after surgery. Only 7 were obstructed, yielding a patency rate of 94.3%. By using both the ITA and RGEA, in situ anastomoses with all the coronary arteries could be performed. Also in emergency surgery arterial grafting was possible. This operative form is considered to be a useful technique and may be expected to produce favorable long-term results.     

Long-term results of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting

Background. Little is known about the long-term results of the uniform group of patients who had bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafting with the method of left ITA-to-left anterior descending coronary artery and right ITA-to-circumflex artery.

Methods. Late follow-up study was performed in the first consecutive 203 patients (mean age, 62.6 ± 9.1 years) who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with the left ITA anastomosed to the left anterior descending coronary artery and the right ITA to major branches of the circumflex artery. The patients were grouped according to the patency of ITA grafts demonstrated by early postoperative angiography (Both patent (BP) group, 168 patients: both ITAs showed complete patency; Not patent (NP) group, 23 patients: at least one ITA was dysfunctional).

Results. Actuarial 7-year survival in all patients was 89.3% ± 3.1%. The cumulative probability of event-free survival for cardiac death, myocardial infarction, intervention, and angina at 7 years was 96.6% ± 1.8%, 98.0% ± 1.5%, 86.7% ± 3.2%, and 90.7% ± 2.9%, respectively. NP group had more myocardial infarction and angina than the BP group, but was not statistically significant. Because of failed grafts at the early angiography, intervention was performed more frequently in NP group (p < 0.01).

Conclusions. Our results of actuarial 7-year survival and the cumulative probability of event-free survival were at least comparable to the results of other similar studies using bilateral ITA. The freedom from angina appeared to be better than in the previous study. Overall our study supports the continued use of this method of ITA grafting.     

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.     

Complete arterial coronary revascularisation using radial artery conduit for double thoracic artery inlet flow: arterial sling operation.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery with arterial revascularisation of all diseased coronary vessels is considered highly efficient because arterial grafts have an excellent long-term patency compared with venous grafts. However, problems to reach the infero-lateral wall with the in situ internal thoracic arteries usually require alternative techniques. We present the first results of a new surgical principle using a free radial artery segment to complete the arterial coronary revascularisation and concomitantly connect the internal thoracic arteries. METHODS: In patients referred for coronary bypass surgery and three-vessel disease an end-to-end anastomosis of the right internal thoracic artery and the radial artery segment preceded cardiopulmonary bypass, during which side-to-side anastomoses of the radial artery segment were used to revascularise stenotic branches of the right coronary and circumflex arteries. The left internal thoracic artery was used for revascularisation of stenotic branches of the left anterior descending artery, and finally an end-to-side anastomosis of the radial artery segment to the left internal thoracic artery was performed. Coronary artery blood flow was measured in 41 patients with Doppler flow probe. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two coronary anastomoses (an average of 4.2 per patient) were performed in 46 patients. We measured a mean total blood flow in the arterial sling graft of 104ml/min (range 35-221ml/min), compared with 69 and 68ml/min of the single inlet right and left internal thoracic arteries, respectively (P<0.01). Flow capacities of 104 and 120ml/min of the right and left internal thoracic arteries were measured during clamp of both the aorta and the contralateral internal thoracic artery. The mean crossclamp duration was 77min (range 51-113min). Postoperative angiography demonstrated patent graft anastomoses to all coronary arteries. There were no perioperative deaths or myocardial infarctions. One patient had a minor postoperative stroke. DISCUSSION: Complete arterial revascularisation can be achieved by the arterial sling operation with an acceptable crossclamp time and a high early rate of graft patency. The double arterial inlet provides a 50% higher blood flow to the beating heart and two-fold increase in the flow reserve compared with a single inlet. Although further research including long-term follow-up of this new principle is required, the present findings seem promising and suggest that the arterial sling operation has a potential role for complete arterial coronary revascularisation.     

Minimally invasive single-vessel coronary artery bypass with the internal thoracic artery and early postoperative angiography: midterm results of a prospective study in 120 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND: This prospective study was undertaken to determine the role of the minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass with early postoperative angiography and midterm follow-up in 120 consecutive patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease. METHODS: Minimal access (6 to 10 cm), without complete sternotomy and no cardiopulmonary bypass, was used. The lesions were located at the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery in 95% of the patients. Routine coronary angiography was performed before discharge. RESULTS: Postoperative angiography was performed in 104 (90.4%) of those 115 patients who had coronary revascularization concluded by the mini-access method. The internal thoracic artery patency rate was 98.1% (95.2% grade A). Two (1.7%) patients presented with perioperative myocardial infarction, which led to the single in-hospital death (0.8%). Of the remaining 119 patients, 113 (95.0%) were asymptomatic. The event-free probability was 94.9% and the actuarial survival was 98.3% with 42 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: For selected patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease and no major myocardial dysfunction, minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass is a safe operation and a less invasive alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Off-pump redo coronary artery bypass grafting from descending aorta to the posterolateral area through a left thoracotomy in patients with a patent internal thoracic artery graft

The patients were a 73-year-old man (Case 1) and 56-year-old man (Case 2) who developed angina pectoris and heart failure. Case 2 showed chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. These patients whowed posterolateral myocardial ischemia with a patent internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending artery. Left ventricle ejection fraction was 29% and 33%, respectively. Catheter intervention was unsuccessful, so we performed revascularization from the descending aorta to coronary arteries with saphenous vein grafts via a left thrracotomy using an off-pump technique. In case 2, proximal anastomosis was constructed with the Symmetric aortic connector. This procedure appeared to be a very safe and useful method as an option for redo coronary artery bypass grafting in the posterolateral area in patients with patent old grafts and poor left ventricular function.     

Use of the inferior epigastric artery for coronary bypass.

Between December 1988 and April 1991, 74 free inferior epigastric arteries were used in 73 patients for coronary artery bypass grafts. In addition, 72 of the patients received a left internal mammary artery for single or sequential grafting to the left anterior descending system and 62 a right internal mammary artery to the circumflex or the right coronary artery. Twenty-seven patients had no saphenous vein available, and two had no suitable internal mammary artery; in an attempt to make a complete arterial revascularization, we chose the inferior epigastric artery as an alternative conduit in 24 young patients and in 10 reoperations; bilateral internal mammary artery dissection was avoided in four patients with impaired lung function and in six patients with selected two-vessel disease to spare one internal mammary artery. The technique for harvesting the inferior epigastric artery is described. Fifty-three inferior epigastric artery grafts were anastomosed to the distal right coronary artery or to its branches, 18 to the distal obtuse marginals of the circumflex artery (three as sequential grafts and one as a natural Y graft), and three to the left anterior descending system. The mean number of distal anastomoses is 3.60 per patient. Seventy proximal anastomoses of the inferior epigastric artery were made to the aorta and four to one internal mammary artery. There were four early deaths and one nonfatal myocardial infarction. Four abdominal wound hematomas needed surgical drainage. Sixty-one patients underwent angiographic study on postoperative day 10:59 of 61 inferior epigastric artery grafts (63 of 65 inferior epigastric artery distal anatomoses) and 111 of 111 internal mammary artery grafts (155 of 156 internal mammary artery distal anastomoses) were patent. Clinical follow-up of all the survivors (100% follow-up) could be obtained with a mean period of 9 months (1 to 28 months). There was no late cardiac death, no infarction, and all the patients were free of angina. Nineteen patients underwent a 6-month postoperative angiographic study. Seventeen of 19 inferior epigastric artery grafts were patent and 16 of 19 were intact; 34 of 34 internal mammary artery grafts (46 of 47 internal mammary artery distal anastomoses) were patent and intact. In conclusion, free inferior epigastric artery grafts can reach the diaphragmatic ischemic areas of the heart. The early patency rate and the clinical results are encouraging but only long-term evolution and evaluation can determine the true efficacy of the inferior epigastric artery graft as a reliable conduit for coronary artery bypass graft operations.     

Limited Left Thoracotomy for Reoperative Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting without Cardiopulmonary Bypass for Circumflex Grafting in Patients with Patent Internal Thoracic Artery Graft

Abstract Background: We describe our experience with the limited left thoracotomy strategy for reoperative coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)to the circumflex coronary artery system, emphasizing the indications, our particular operative technique, and early clinical follow-up. Methods: From January 2001 to January 2002, 8 consecutive patients underwent redo revascularization via limited left thoracotomy and without cardiopulmonary bypass. This operation was indicated for patients with recurrent myocardial ischemia confined to the lateral wall of the left ventricle, especially if a patent left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-to-left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD)graft was present. Results: All 8 patients underwent successful redo revascularization via limited left thoracotomy. Eight patients received 14 saphenous vein grafts (mean 1.7 grafts/patient). No instances of postoperative myocardial infarction or death occurred. During a follow-up period ranging from 1 to 12 months (mean, 5. 2 months), all patients were asymptomatic and without evidence of ischemia or infarction. Conclusions: For select patients who have patent LITA grafted into the LAD and who need redo CABG to the coronary artery circumflex system, the limited left thoracotomy approach without cardiopulmonary bypass is a safe operation and a less invasive alternative to repeat sternotomy and conventional CABG.