Total arterial myocardial revascularization: surgical technique and mid-term results [La rivascolarizzazione miocardica arteriosa totale: tecnica chirurgica e risultati a medio termine.]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate perioperative and mid-term results of total arterial coronary revascularization in our experience and to establish its safety. One-hundred and ninety-one patients underwent total arterial coronary revascularization at our Institution from February 1997 to August 2000. The mean age was 60.1 years. Of the patients, 45% had three coronary vessels disease, 12% a left main coronary artery disease and 2.6% of them were classified urgent. Mean ejection fraction was 59.6%. Three hundred and thirty-four comprehensive anastomoses were performed; mean grafts per patient was 1.8. A Y or T graft with the left internal thoracic artery was used in 21 patients. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1% (2 patients). Complications included low cardiac output syndrome in 2.8% of patients, acute myocardial infarction in 0.9% and acute renal insufficiency in 3.1%. Intraaortic balloon pump was used in 1.8% of patients. At a mean follow-up of 899 days the first 81 patients contacted are all free of angina but two (one experienced an acute myocardial infarction and another one died for a pulmonary neoplasia). We conclude that total arterial coronary revascularization is a safe surgical technique, providing excellent perioperative and mid-term results.