Segmentation of the left internal thoracic artery: a new technique for maximal arterial grafting.

The left internal thoracic artery lpa r;LITA) is the preferred graft with the best patency rate in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). To maximize its use, we developed a technique of grafting 2 distant coronary arteries with the LITA, using its distal portion segmented to construct a Y graft with either the in situ LITA or right internal thoracic artery (RITA). We applied this technique in 51 patients. The distal segment of the LITA was used to create a Y graft in 4 different configurations according to coronary pathology. Offpump grafting was performed in 11% of cases. The use of a distal segment of the LITA was thus extended not only to the left anterior descending artery and branches but also to the circumflex and right coronary artery territories.