Complete arterial myocardial revascularization using the right gastroepiploic artery and both internal thoracic arteries as pedicled grafts.

To achieve complete arterial myocardial revascularization without vein grafts, the right gastroepiploic artery and both internal thoracic arteries were used as pedicled grafts in 105 patients from March 1989 to July 1994. There were 101 male and 4 female patients, with a mean age of 51 years (range 32 to 65 years). Three-vessels disease was present in all patients. Six patients underwent previous bypass procedures with the use of vein grafts. A total of 363 distal anastomosis (108 with the right gastroepiploic artery, 255 with both internal thoracic arteries) were constructed. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.4. There was no hospital mortality. Seven patients required a rethoracotomy: 5 because of post-operative signs of ischemia, 2 because of bleeding. In one patient a splenectomy had to be performed because of bleeding. A new Q wave was noted in 2 patients. Follow-up averaged 21 months (range 1 to 67 months). Ninety nine (95%) of the patients were in NYHA class I, 6 (5%) in class II. No late complications were noted. We conclude that, complete myocardial revascularization using the right gastroepiploic artery in combination with both internal thoracic arteries as pedicled grafts can be achieved in selected patients with excellent mid term results.