[Selection of graft materials in case of emergency coronary bypass surgery following failed angioplasty].

The clinical characteristics of selection of graft materials were analysed for patients undergoing emergency coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) following failed coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Ten emergency CABGs were performed from January 1983 to December 1991. Perioperative variables and follow-up were compared to 18 patients undergoing elective CABG after PTCA. The emergency group had shorter operative time (p less than 0.01) and shorter bypass time (p less than 0.05). Moreover the emergency group had decreased use of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) (40% vs 94.4%, p less than 0.01). There was no use of bilateral ITAs in the emergency group. There was not significant difference in hospital mortality and medium term follow-up between two groups. In conclusion, emergency CABG carries a significantly less use of ITA graft than elective CABG although ITAs are superior to SVGs about long term patency rate. So it is desirable that arterial graft should be used under an appropriate selection at emergency operation.