Isolated left anterior descending coronary atherosclerosis: long-term comparison of internal mammary artery and venous autografts.

A consecutive series of 100 patients receiving left internal mammary artery grafts and a consecutive series of 100 patients receiving saphenous vein grafts as treatment of isolated left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis were reviewed to determine survival, graft patency, disease progression and New York Heart Association functional class. The mean follow-up was 67 months, and the mean catheterization interval was 20 months. Recommendations for revascularization can be made selectively to patients with critical isolated left anterior descending stenoses who have limiting symptoms and large areas of viable myocardium at risk.