title: Complete myocardial revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery T graft.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The internal thoracic artery is widely recognized as the ideal graft for coronary artery bypass procedures. However, because of the inadequate length of the conduit, use of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting was not suitable for complete revascularization. To overcome this limitation, the T graft was introduced in the 1990s. We decided to prospectively assess the safety of this technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred six patients with a mean age of 51.5 years underwent complete revascularization with an internal thoracic artery T graft. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.60 (range, 0.22 to 0.85).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patient required reexploration for bleeding, and no patient died within 30 days after operation. On the basis of electrocardiographic changes, 3 patients sustained a perioperative myocardial infarction. One patient had a sternal wound infection. Mean follow-up was 35 months (range, 15 to 61 months). The actuarial survival rate was 99% +/- 1% at 5 years. No myocardial infarctions were reported during the follow-up. Seven patients had recurrent angina. Eighty patients (76%) underwent postoperative stress tests, and 90% had negative results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complete myocardial revascularization with the T graft is a safe and reliable technique with excellent midterm results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Charleroi, Jumet, Belgium. badih.el.nakadi@village.uvnet.be
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: El Nakadi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Choghari
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Joris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome