Prospective study of feasibility of routine use of multiple internal mammary artery anastomoses.

A study of 100 consecutive patients requiring multiple coronary artery bypasses was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of routine use of multiple internal mammary artery (IMA) anastomoses. In 99 patients the IMA was used and in 80 patients bilateral IMA bypasses were done. In 15 patients multiple anastomoses with a single IMA precluded the need for bilateral IMA bypasses. In only 4 patients were bilateral IMA left to be contraindicated. By combination of use of both IMAs, free grafts and sequential grafts, the IMA accounted for 70% of the 318 anastomoses in these 100 patients. Scrupulous attention to technique and the use of the operating microscope are necessary to achieve multiple IMA anastomoses. It was concluded that the IMA can be used to supply the majority of anastomoses needed for coronary artery revascularization in nearly all patients.