[Extensive endarterectomy of the left anterior descending artery].

Diffuse obstructive disease of the left anterior descending coronary artery presents a new challenge to the surgeon especially if the heart and septal muscle supplied by this vessel is ischaemic but viable. Venous skips were utilized in the past to overcome this problem, but recently extensive endarterectomy of this system has been advocated. The case studies of 5 patients are presented who have undergone extensive endarterectomy of the left anterior descending artery and coronary bypass grafting.