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Ann Thorac Surg 1995;59:1509-1512
© 1995 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Reoperation in Patients With Closed SVG and Patent LITA–LAD Graft: T-Graft Approach

Infinity Heart Institute and St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Accepted for publication February 18, 1995.

Selection of the bypass graft that the patient has demonstrated will remain patent and free from critical atherosclerosis is a most important part of coronary artery bypass reoperations. Sixteen patients in whom a patent left internal thoracic artery–left anterior descending coronary artery bypass graft and obstructed or closed saphenous vein grafts to other coronary arteries were visualized underwent reoperation. To reach the inadequately perfused circumflex and right coronary arteries, the right internal thoracic artery was anastomosed to the left internal thoracic artery as a T graft and then was attached to the circumflex and right coronary artery branches. All patients survived the procedure and are free from angina. There were no perioperative myocardial infarctions, and there was no suggestion of hypoperfusion by the grafts. We believe this technique may reduce the incidence of graft failure in patients undergoing reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting.

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