Abstract: | We prospectively analyzed patients who underwent simultaneous off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and endarterectomy between March 1, 1997 and February 28, 2002. The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction, need for inotropic support, morbidity, long-time functional class, and mortality were evaluated.Nine endarterectomies were performed in eight patients, more frequently in the right coronary artery. Dopamine was used in four patients. One perioperative myocardial infarction (12.5%) occurred. No deaths occurred and all patients are now functional class I. Tests for ischemia have been negative in all patients.Coronary endarterectomy is an alternative procedure that has little morbidity and enables complete myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass. |