Objective: In order to reduce remote cardiac events associated with graft occlusions, arterial conduits are being increasingly utilized in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). While the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the graft of choice for CABG, it is sometimes difficult or impossible to obtain a complete arterial revascularization only with ITAs in three-vessel diseases. We present our experience with total arterial myocardial revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) and right gastroepiploic artery (rGEA).
Methods: From April 1994 to January 2004, 174 patients (165 male, mean age 55.9+/-7.4) underwent coronary artery bypass procedure with exclusive use of BITA and rGEA. Left ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 20 to 68% (mean 55.9+/-6.8%). Seven patients (4%) had poor ejection fraction (<0.30), 23 (13, 2%) had acute myocardial infarction, 14 (8%) had left main disease. The mean CPB time was 96.9+/-15.7 min and the mean cross clamping time was 70+/-14.2 min. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.3+/-0.5 per patient.
Results: Early mortality was 1.7%. The patients were followed for up to 9 years (mean follow-up time 6.3+/-2.6 years). Actuarial freedom from cardiac death (including hospital death) was 97.6%, at 9 years after the operation. Actuarial freedom from angina and cardiac events at 9 years was 79, 5% and 77, 6%, respectively. No perioperative myocardial infarction occurred. None of the patients needed a redo-CABG after leaving the hospital.
Conclusions: This study indicates that the myocardial revascularization in young patients with three-vessel disease using exclusively pedicle BITA and rGEA provides excellent 9-year patient survival and improvement in terms of freedom from return of angina pectoris and freedom from any cardiac-related event. These results encourage the more extensive use of BITA and rGEA in selected patients with three-vessel coronary disease.