Multivessel off-pump coronary aortic bypass grafting with an impaired and severely dilated left ventricle using the Starfish heart positioner
Niinami, H.; Takeuchi, Y.; Ichikawa, S.; Ban, T.; Higashita, R.; Suda, Y.; Yamamoto, M.
Kyobu Geka. Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery 55(9): 773-777
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5252 PMID: 12174622 Document Number: 542104
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) is gaining acceptance and is now more widely used for coronary revascularization worldwide. Accessing the vessels, particularly on the lateral and inferior walls of the heart, can sometimes be challenging while the heart is beating, especially in hearts with an impaired and severely dilated left ventricle. The Starfish heart positioner was designed to achieve optimal exposure of the lateral and inferior walls of the heart with minimal hemodynamic compromise. This device was used in a patient with a severely impaired and dilated left ventricle to successfully position the heart for quadruple bypass grafting using all in situ arterial grafts, such as bilateral international thoracic arteries (ITAs) and the right gastroepiploic artery. The degree of hematoma caused by the pressure of the suction cup of this device was minimal. This case report suggests that the use of Starfish heart positioner will facilitate and expand the ability of surgeons to easily and consistently perform OPCAB.