Experience of double internal thoracic artery grafts in coronary artery revascularization

We have started employing two internal thoracic artery grafts in coronary artery revascularization since February 1988. We have carried out seven such operative procedures in a 15 month period since then. Ages ranged from 55 to 67 years with a mean of 60.6. Six patients were male and one patient was female. One patient was in Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina Class I, one in Class II, four in Class III, and one in Class IV, preoperatively. There were no operative deaths. Postoperatively, six patients were in CCS Class I and one was in Class II. All of the internal thoracic artery grafts were patent at hospital discharge in six angiographically examined patients. We feel that use of double internal thoracic artery grafts in coronary revascularization carries minimal additional risk, when performed in selected case.