ABSTRACT 43

OFF-PUMP GRAFTING OF THE MAIN CIRCUMFLEX CORONARY ARTERY IN THE ATRIOVENTRICULAR GROOVE VIA STERNOTOMY

Thomas A. Vassiliades, Jr., MD
Pensacola Heart Institute
Pensacola, Florida

Purpose: We report our off-pump technique for grafting of the main circumflex coronary artery in the atrioventricular groove performed through a median sternotomy.

Patients and Methods: Six patients with significant proximal stenoses of the circumflex coronary presented with small obtuse marginal branches. In each case, three-vessel coronary artery disease was present requiring median sternotomy. Each patient underwent off-pump grafting of the main circumflex coronary artery in the atrioventricular groove.  Hemodynamic indicators were recorded every sixty seconds.

Results: In all six cases, the main circumflex coronary artery was bypassed using off-pump techniques. There was no significant hemodynamic compromise during the procedure and all patients did well postoperatively. Follow-up angiography was obtained.

Conclusions: Grafting of the main circumflex coronary artery in the atrioventricular groove can be successfully and safely performed off pump through a median sternotomy.