title: Simple exposure of the internal thoracic artery for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass.
abstract: A simple method is described for harvesting a pedicle of internal thoracic artery for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting with the use of a small scapular retractor. The technique has been used successfully in 39 patients. All patients were followed up early postoperatively by angiography, and the patency rate was 96%. Follow-up angiography (mean [and standard error] 9.6 [4.8] months) was carried out in 63% of the patients, demonstrating a cumulative patency rate of 95.4% with no evidence of steal. None of the patients died and there were no cases of myocardial infarction perioperatively. Recurrent angina developed in 2 patients. This technique is safe, effective and inexpensive.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ont. gilli@cesmtp.ccf.org
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004210:Dissection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency