Ba­ckgro­und: Proximal anastomosis of the radial artery (RA) to the side of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) (T graft technique) leads to increased rates of complete arterial revascularization in coronary artery bypass surgery. In this study, we examined perioperative, early and late results of T anastomosis with LITA and RA.

Metho­ds: From March 2003 and November 2006, 1118 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery and among them 354 patients had at least one radial arterial graft. We employed LITA-RA composite T grafts in 91 patients (65 males, 26 females; mean age 58±10.3 years; range 31 to 80 years). In 44 patients bilateral RA, in 67 patients sequential RA and in 4 patients bilateral ITA were used.

Results: Mean distal anastomosis number was 3.7±0.9 and mortality rates were 2.2% (n=2) within 30 days of surgery. In two patients intraaortic balloon pump and in 12 patients inotropic agents were used for low cardiac output. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 12 patients which improved with medical therapy. No complications were observed related with RA harvesting. Angiography for clinical indications in eight patients postoperatively (mean 20.4±10.8 months; range 7 to 33 months) demonstrated distal anastomotic patency of 100% for ITA and 84.2% for RA grafts.

Co­nclusio­n: Complete arterial revascularization can be safely achieved with ITA and radial artery T graft with low perioperative morbidity and mortality rates.

Keywords : Coronary artery bypass; mammary arteries; myocardial revascularization; radial artery