Coronary bypass through very limited sternotomy

Abstract

Coronary artery bypass grafting CABG is the most widely performed operation and its techniques are being continuously improved. We perfomed CABG on a beating heart through a very limited sternotomy incision. Methods: Between 1 Feb and 30 Oct, 2000 36 patients underwent CABG through a partial sternotomy in the distal third of the sternum. Patients with stenosis of the obtuse marginal, posterior descending and left main coronary arteries were excluded. Emergency operation was considered as a contraindication for the use of this technique. Results: In 4 patients the operation was reverted to other classic methods (11.1 %). The patients received an average of 1.4 grafts. One patient developed enzymatic and electrocardiographic criteria of myocardial infarction in the perioperative period. Endarterectomy was carried out in 5 patients. No patient was reoperated due to bleeding or other reason. Control angiography in 11 patients (30.5 %) with 17 grafts showed two occluded grafts (11. 7 %). Conclusion: CABG to the anterior vessels of the heart can be carried out through very limited sternotomy with satisfying results.