Background: We report our experience with 85 patients undergoing a second time CABG in our institution, highlighting surgical techniques and results.
Methods: Eighty five patients underwent a second coronary artery revascularization between 1971 and 2002 at Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Clinics. There were 78 men (91.8%); the mean age was 56.5 years (range 40-75). The reason for the second operation was graft failure in 89.4% of the cases.
Results: Direct myocardial revascularization was performed in all patient with a mean of 2.4 graft per patient (range 1-4). The internal mammary artery was utilized 17.6%. Hospital mortality was 1.1%.
Conclusion: Our data suggest that a second - time coronary revascularization can be justified, with gratifying operative success and good results.