Modified T graft for triple-vessel disease

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 64; no. 2; pp. 451 - 453
• Main Authors: Nicholson, Ian A., Paterson, Hugh S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.08.1997; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Artery Bypass - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Prospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Human; Treatment; Aortocoronary; Bypass; Surgery; Cardiovascular disease; Internal mammary artery; Technique; Coronary heart disease
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(97)00538-9

Arterial coronary bypass grafts are used in younger patients due to the limited long-term patency of saphenous vein grafts. Using both internal thoracic arteries in a T graft configuration allows complete myocardial revascularization without the need for alternative conduit. A prospective analysis of 75 consecutive patients with triple-vessel disease who were aged less than 66 years and who had a left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 0.50 was performed from November 1994 to November 1995. Seventy-three patients underwent myocardial revascularization using a modified T graft technique using both internal thoracic arteries. Postoperative cardiac enzyme and electrocardiographic analyses were performed along with routine surgical and cardiologic review to March 1996. There were no deaths or perioperative myocardial infarcts, and there was no sternal dehiscence due to infection. Five patients had recurrent angina and underwent repeat angiography. Three were treated by single coronary artery angioplasty and 2 with medical therapy. A modified T graft revascularization of patients selected by the protocol used in this study is safe.