There is evidence of the advantage and impact on the prolongation of life in revascularized patients using the internal thoracic artery. Other grafts have been introduced. The scope of the present report is to show the advantages of myocardial revascularization using composite grafts and to analyze the results over the short and medium term. Between June 1992 and December 1997 fifty patients were submitted to complete myocardial revascularization surgery with composite arterial grafts. Age ranged from 41 to 88 years (average 56). In this group 44% of the patients had previous MAI and 20% unstable angina. In all cases ITA was used with prolongation of saphenous vein in 6%, saphenous vein in "Y" in 24%, radial artery in "Y" in 40% and in 30% with "Y" of the ITA itself. Post-operative follow-up included clinical exam, exercise tests proves and/or myocardial scintigraphy. In 14% coronary arteriography was accomplished. Postoperatively the highest mortality was in females with diabetes mellitus. Hospital mortality was 2%. Only one patient demonstrates class II angina (CCS - Canadian Cardiology Society). This study demonstrates that myocardial revascularization with composite grafts is possible with low mortality, it permits a greater number of anastomoses and provides excellent postoperative progress over the short and medium term.
Myocardial revascularization; Thoracic arteries; Radial artery
