Feasibility of the utilisation of the right internal thoracic artery in the transverse sinus in off pump coronary revascularisation: early angiographic results.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to analyze the feasibility of beating heart coronary surgery and to angiographically assess complete revascularisations with routine use of the two internal thoracic arteries (ITA), with the right ITA pedicled and placed through the transverse sinus. The authors report the results of their initial experience of coronary surgery without CPB, which began in December 1998. METHODS From December 1998 to October 1999, 50 patients underwent non-urgent beating heart coronary revascularisation via a median sternotomy with the 2 ITA. Stabilization of the anastomotic site was ensured by the Octopus stabilizer 1 then 2. A troponin Ic assay was systematically performed in the initial postoperative period. With the patient's consent, postoperative angiography was performed before discharge. RESULTS The mean number of anastomoses was 2.5+/-0.6 per patient (range: 2-4). Distal anastomoses by arterial grafts were performed in 87% of cases. In one case, the right ITA could not be kept pedicled and tunnelled in the transverse sinus and a Y graft onto the left ITA had to be performed. Left anterior descending-diagonal sequential bypass with the left ITA was performed in seven patients (14%). There was no operative mortality. One patient developed postoperative myocardial infarction. Follow-up angiography was performed in 42 cases (84%), with 104 anastomoses reviewed (85%). The patency rate for all anastomoses was 98.1%, with 90.4% of excellent results. The patency rate of the right ITA was 100%, with 90.5% of excellent results. CONCLUSIONS Beating heart coronary surgery allows revascularisation of all coronary territories. This technique is not an obstacle to the use of the pedicled right ITA tunnelled in the transverse sinus. It is not associated with an increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, and the early follow-up angiographic results are excellent.

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