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The distal latero-circumflex arteries and the posterior descending artery are located so far from the mammary arteries that they cannot be revascularized by the conventional procedure. Reimplantation of the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) used as a free graft into the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) in situ doubles the length of the RIMA, thus enabling the distal coronary arteries (lower lateral or posterior interventricular arteries) to be bypassed. The Y-shaped reimplantation anastomosis technique is described, and the immediate results obtained in 25 patients are reported. Seven angiographic controls were performed after 6 months to 1 year, and 6 anastomoses were perfectly patent. One RIMA is occluded (major competitive flow).

From 1985 to november 1989, 270 patients underwent sequential anastomosis with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) on left descending artery (LDA) and diagnonal artery (DA). The first 120 cases have 100% one year follow-up. The perioperative status was: angina stage III or IV: 59%; myocardial infarction (MI): 45%, stenosis of 3 vessels: 52.5%; stenosis of main coronary artery: 10.8%. 2.25 anastomoses were performed per patient. Side-to-side anastomosis (kissing) were not diamond anastomoses but axial and longitudinal. The use of fibrin gllude provides regular curves of the graft between anastomosis. Mortality was 0.8%, morbidity was: MI: 4.2% (2 small infarcts in anterior vessels, 3 others in non-grafted vessels); mediastinitis: 1%; severe bleeding (reoperation): 1%. At one year 93% of patients are free from angina and 71 patients underwent angiographic assessment (145 LIMA anastomosis). Results are as follow: side-to-side anastomosis patency: 98.5%; distal anastomosis obliteration: 3%; LDA anastomosis patency: 95.7% overall sequential anastomosis patency: 97.6%. These results have led our cardiologist in Brest to naturally prefer a surgical approach than percutaneous angioplasty when LDA and DA are involved.

Distal latero-circumflex arteries (DLCA) and posterior descending artery (PDA) are anatomically too far and cannot be revascularized with internal mammary artery (IMA) by a conventional procedure. The reimplantation of the right IMA into the left IMA in situ increases (2 times) the length of right IMA graft available. Fifty-five patients underwent this technique. Their preoperative status was: 22 males, 3 females; mean age: 57 years, 38% myocardial infarction (MI). Coronary angiography showed: stenosis of the left main coronary artery: 3; stenosis of 3 vessels: 15; 2 vessels: 10; 2.3 anastomoses by patient were performed with Y right and left IMA procedure: 24 LDA, 8 diagonals, 25 DLCA and 1 PDA anastomosis. No deaths were observed in this short series. Morbidity was: 1 MI, 2 sternal sepsis, 1 bilateral phrenic paralysis (all were cured without sequelae). To date (March 90) 15 patients have been followed for 3 to 12 months, 12 are angina-free, 3 are significantly improved, 11 have a negative exercise test. Thallium test is normal in the revascularized area in 14 patients. Seven angiographies have been performed (6 months to 1 year) and all Y right IMA are patent.

Distal latero-circumflex arteries (DLCA) and posterior descending artery (PDA) are anatomically too far and cannot be revascularized with internal mammary artery (IMA) by a conventional procedure. The reimplantation of the right IMA into the left IMA in situ increases (2 times) the length of right IMA graft available. Fifty-five patients underwent this technique. Their preoperative status was: 22 males, 3 females; mean age: 57 years, 38% myocardial infarction (MI). Coronary angiography showed: stenosis of the left main coronary artery: 3; stenosis of 3 vessels: 15; 2 vessels: 10; 2.3 anastomoses by patient were performed with Y right and left IMA procedure: 24 LDA, 8 diagonals, 25 DLCA and 1 PDA anastomosis. No deaths were observed in this short series. Morbidity was: 1 MI, 2 sternal sepsis, 1 bilateral phrenic paralysis (all were cured without sequelae). To date (March 90) 15 patients have been followed for 3 to 12 months, 12 are angina-free, 3 are significantly improved, 11 have a negative exercise test. Thallium test is normal in the revascularized area in 14 patients. Seven angiographies have been performed (6 months to 1 year) and all Y right IMA are patent.

The authors report a case of internal mammary artery graft anastomosed to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LADC) which was found to be non functional in the early post-operative period (one month) but second catheterization at one year revealed the graft to be patent with thrombosis of the LADC. This case shows the flow adjustment possibilities of internal mammary artery graft.

In this series of 184 patients (pts), 312 internal mammary arteries were used to graft 430 coronary arteries. Two mammary arteries were used in 104 pts and sequential anastomoses were performed in 118 pts. The operative mortality was 1.6% and the peri-operative myocardial infarction was 4.1%. 9% of patients had post-operative complications: 1% of bilateral phrenic paralysis, 2.1% of post-operative hemorrhage leading to reoperation, 1.6% of sternal infection, 0.5% of true mediastinal infection, 1.6% of sternal dehiscence and 2.7% of reversible psychiatric illness. A 3 month follow-up was available in 160 pts. 95% of patients became angina free, the thallium scan shown a normal uptake of thallium at maximal stress in the myocardial grafted area in 92% of the patients.