Coronary artery bypass using bovine internal mammary artery

Among 760 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) 8 received one or two bovine internal mammary artery grafts. The surgical procedures were 4, 3 and 3 CABG respectively in 1, 3 and 4 cases with greater saphenous veins in 4 cases, internal mammary artery in 4 cases and bovine internal mammary artery in 11 cases. The 3 mm bioflow grafts were used to revascularize the left coronary artery in 6 cases (to the left anterior descending, circumflex artery) and the right coronary artery in 5 cases. The indications for the use of bovine mammary artery grafts were lack of suitable autologous vessels because of bilateral saphenous vein stripping in 4 cases, bilateral varicose veins in 3 cases and inadequate length of vein in 1 case. Post-operative angiographic studies of these bovine mammary grafts with a maximum follow-up of 11 months showed 5 occluded grafts, 2 grafts with proximal stenosis, one graft which remained patent until the patient died and 3 grafts still under evaluation. Bovine internal mammary artery grafts provide a solution for the acute stage of coronary disease, but do not achieve total and durable revascularization. Their use must remain exceptional.