Among the 34 complex internal thoracic artery (ITA) to coronary artery grafts, there were bilateral (in 20 patients), bifurcated (in 8), sequential (in 4), "free" (in 1), left ITA and right radial artery (in 1). It was performed with the "no-touch" technique to the ascending and transverse aorta, cardiopulmonary bypass with an arterial inflow cannulation to the left common femoral artery, with a beating, warm, and vented heart and severe bradycardia induced by a short acting beta 1-blocker. Two latter factors were used to decrease myocardial oxygen consumption and facilitate construction of the ITA to coronary artery anastomoses. There were no operative mortality.
Adult Aged