Multiple coronary artery bypass via mini left thoracotomy with conventional aortic occlusion
Zapolanski, A.; Korver, K.; Pliam, M.B.; Mengarelli, L.; Shaw, R.
Heart Surgery Forum 4(2): 109-11; discussion 111-2
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1098-3511 PMID: 11544617 Document Number: 539672
Complete myocardial revascularization can be achieved through a mini left anterior thoracotomy. Our approach (West Coast Technique) takes advantage of the Port-Access (Heartport, Redwood City, CA) concept while utilizing conventional instrumentation. Thirty-eight patients underwent multiple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Aortic occlusion was performed using a transthoracic clamp, and all anastomoses were performed under a single cross-clamp. There were no deaths and no neurologic deficits. There was one perioperative myocardial infarction (MI), and one re-exploration for bleeding. Ten patients (26%) required blood transfusions, and five patients (13%) developed atrial fibrillation. The average number of grafts per patient was 2.9, and average hospital stay was 5.2 days. Multiple CABG can be accomplished safely through a minithoracotomy, which eliminates the need for endoaortic occlusion.