[Free arterial graft for coronary bypass grafting].
Free arterial grafts were aggressively placed in 39 patients (1991 to 1993). There were 34 males and 5 females, and mean age was 59.9 year old. Of 85 arterial grafts, 41 were free grafts, and their materials included left and right internal thoracic artery (LITA, RITA) and right gastroepiploic artery (GEA). There were one free LITA-left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), seven free RITA-LAD, three free RITA-diagonal branch (Dx), 14 free RITA-left circumflex coronary artery (LCX), 10 free RITA-right coronary artery (RCA), two sequential RITA-Dx-LCX, one free GEA-Dx, two free GEA-LCX, and one free GEA-RCA bypass. Of 41 free arterial grafts, 38 were in the aorta-coronary position, and the proximal anastomosis was constructed first under single aortic cross-clamping to get the larger anastomotic sites for both at the proximal and distal ends of the arterial graft. The proximal sites of the remaining 3 arterial grafts were placed to concomitantly utilized saphenous vein grafts in two patients and RCA in one patient because of their shortness. Perioperative complications included no exploration for bleeding, myocardial infarction in one (2.6%), intra-aortic balloon pumping in three (7.7%), and wound complications in two (5.1%). 28 cases (72%) were completely revascularized with only arterial grafts. Of 41 free arterial grafts studied within one month after operation, all grafts were patent. All patients were free from angina after a 27 months mean follow-up. We believe that the proximal anastomosis technique for free arterial graft we used could be acceptable alternative for many surgeons. These excellent results justify wider use of free arterial grafts.
Yamaguchi
A
A
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka National Hospital, Japan.
Kitamura
N
N
Irie
H
H
Ko
T
T
Kimura
S
S
Shuntoh
K
K
Noji
S
S
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D001158:Arteries / Q000637:transplantation; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000637:transplantation