Minimally invasive axillary-LAD saphenous vein bypass.

The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is the arterial conduit of choice for minimally invasive coronary bypass to the left anterior descending (LAD). However, in redo cases when the LIMA is not available, the use of a saphenous vein graft as an extra-anatomic bypass from the axillary artery to the LAD offers a lower risk alternative than conventional reoperative trans-sternal surgery [Knight 1997]. We report on 3 patients who underwent axillary-LAD saphenous vein bypass. At six months, follow-up by Duplex ultrasound showed patent grafts in all three patients.