Right coronary system grafts: alone or together with left system grafts--angiographic results.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to compare the long-term graft patency between patients who had sequential or individual right posterior descending artery (RPDA) anastomosis.


METHODS
Two hundred and forty-two patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between June 1994 and December 2003. They were examined retrospectively with respect to coronary angiograghic data. [Group 1] Individually right system grafts in RPDA position (n=139). [Group 2] RPDA anastomosis sequentially with left system (n=103). Patency rates for posterior descending arteries in each group were separately calculated for each vessel quality category.


RESULTS
The mean interval from operation to angiography was 50.6+/-48.9 months in group 1 vs 57.5+/-39.2 months in group 2 respectively. The overall patency rate was 66.2% (92/139) in group 1 and 78.6% (81/103) in group 2 (p=0.04). When the RPDA has good run-off capacity, the patency rate was 69.1% in group 1 and 85.2% in group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
When the RPDA has good run-off capacity, snake grafts show excellent results and right and left coronary systems could be anastomosed sequentially.
Kandemir
Ozer
O
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Karaelmas University, School of Medicine, Zonguldak.
Tokmakoglu
Hilmi
H
Tezcaner
Tevfik
T
Yorgancioglu
Cem
C
Süzer
Kaya
K
Zorlutuna
Yaman
Y
D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency