[Use of the internal thoracic artery in patients with stenosis of the left main branch of the coronary artery].
Internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the graft of choice in myocardial revascularization. However, superiority of the ITA graft in patients (pts) with left main coronary artery disease is still a matter of debate.


METHODS
In the period from November 1986 through February 1999, ITA graft was used for myocardial revascularization in 2860 pts. Stenosis of the left main stem was present in 229 patients (8.0%); there were 39 women (17.0%) and 26 diabetics (11.4%). Severely depressed left ventricular function was present in 32 pts (14.0%), while the average age was 56.4 +/- 7.2 years.


RESULTS
Operative mortality was 1.3% and postoperative morbidity was 5.2%. Average postoperative hospital stay was 7.9 days (6-29). There were no differences in analyzed parameters between patients who received ITA graft and similar group of 240 patients who received vein grafts only, during the same period of time. All 16 patients operated on in the period 1986-1992 (6-12 years follow-up) are alive.


CONCLUSIONS
It is safe to use ITA graft for myocardial revascularization in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis. Early operative results are favorable and these patients should not be denied the benefit of the ITA graft, since long-term results are proved to be good as well.
Perić
M
M
Huskić
R
R
Djirković
M
M
Nastasić
S
S
Gradinac
S
S
Vuk
F
F
Radomir
B
B
Lausević-Vuk
Lj
Lj
Bojić
M
M
D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods*