title: [Myocardial revascularization with both internal mammary arteries].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The excellent results obtained with the use of the left internal mammary artery (IMA) for myocardial revascularization have led to the simultaneous use of other arterial conduits, particularly the right IMA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study includes the first 100 consecutive patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent myocardial revascularization with in situ bilateral IMA grafted to branches of the left coronary artery, performed at our center. Ninety-six (96%) were males and four (4%) were females, with a mean age of 58 +/- 8 years (range, 35-75 years). The main indication for myocardial revascularization was angina in 83 patients (83%) and heart failure in 17 (17%). Seventy patients had three-vessel disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hospital mortality was 1%, with one death due to left ventricular failure. Three patients had perioperative myocardial infarction, six experienced ventricular arrhythmia, two had acute renal failure and nine respiratory insufficiency. Dehiscence of the sternal wound occurred in four patients, evolving in mediastinitis in one. All discharged patients were checked after 26 +/- 6 months (range, 12-38 months). There were two deaths, one because of cardiac failure and one sudden death, with a two-year survival rate of 97 +/- 2%. Five patients (5%) required hospitalization because of angina, and the angiographic study showed stenosis/occlusion of one or both IMAs in four cases. Thirty-five (38%) of the remaining patients underwent a coronarographic (25 patients) or transthoracic Doppler study (10 patients) to evaluate patency of the IMAs. The patency index was 100% for the left IMA and 94% for the right IMA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Myocardial revascularization with bilateral IMA in situ can be performed with low hospital mortality and morbidity. Sternal dehiscence is the worst complication and appears to be more frequent in diabetic and elderly patients. Mid-term results are satisfactory, with a good survival rate and freedom from major cardiac events. However, a longer follow-up is necessary to better appreciate the advantages of myocardial revascualarization with in situ bilateral IMAs.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Angiologia e Pneumologia Università degli Studi, Pisa.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Codecasa
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Milano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Carlo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levantino
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magagnini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andreini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balbarini
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bortolotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
vernacular_title: Rivascolarizzazione miocardica con entrambe le arterie mammarie interne.