[Comparative assessment of the use of skeletonized and un-skeletonized internal thoracic artery for myocardial revascularization].

BACKGROUND

Skeleting of internal thoracic artery widens possibilities of a surgeon during mammary-coronary bypass grafting but this procedure is associated with augmented risk of damage of internal thoracic artery (ITA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

ITA was used for creation of anastomosis with anterior interventricular artery in 151 patients. It was harvested on pedicle in 82 (group 1) and subjected to skeleting in 69 (group 2) patients. All operations were performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. In group 2 ITA conduits were more frequently used for grafting distal anterior interventricular artery.

RESULTS

There were 3 and 0 deaths in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Rates of nonfatal postoperative complications were similar in both groups. Spasms of ITA grafts were more frequent in group 1.

CONCLUSION

Skeleting of ITA for mammary coronary bypass grafting compared with its harvesting on pedicle was not associated with increased risk of complications or elevated mortality in early postoperative period.