Impact of purely internal thoracic artery T-graft technique on the mode and quality of surgical myocardial revascularization evaluated by early postoperative coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND

The use of the internal thoracic artery for coronary artery bypass has improved the results of such surgery. However, bypass using only the internal thoracic arteries sometimes requires a T-graft. This purely internal thoracic artery T-graft technique has progressively become part of our surgical protocol for coronary artery bypass surgery.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of this surgical technique on the degree and quality of coronary revascularization using early postoperative angiography.

METHODS

Between January 2004 and December 2006, 148 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery exclusively using both internal thoracic arteries in a T-graft configuration. Systematic postoperative angiography was offered to all 148 patients; it was accepted by 108 patients and refused by 40 patients.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. In-patient mortality was 2.02% (n=3) for the whole population studied, and 1.49% (n=2) for the 134 patients who received only coronary artery bypass grafts. The revascularization rate was 89% and 3.46 coronary anastomoses were constructed per patient (range 2-6). Angiography was performed on 108 right internal thoracic artery to left internal thoracic artery anastomoses, 374 anastomoses of internal thoracic arteries to coronary arteries and 382 inter-anastomosis segments: 98% of the anastomoses and segments were patent.

CONCLUSION

The exclusive recourse to the purely internal thoracic artery T-graft technique meant that it has been possible to dispense with other types of graft while achieving complete and effective revascularization of the coronary artery.