Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2000 Aug;33(8):638-642.

The Clinical Analysis of 100 cases of Coronary artery Bypass Grafting with the Right Gastroepiploic artery

• Song H
• Lim HJ
• Lee HW
• Jung JP
• Shin JK
• Kim JO
• Park JB
• Lee JW
• Song MG

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In an effort t enhance long term patency of coronary bypass grafts, utilization of arterial conduits have been on an icrease. With the same objective, we have been using the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) in coronary artery bypass procedures since 1998. The current paper has been undertaken with the aim of assessing the apropriateness, problems, and short term results of using the RGEA as an arterial graft conduit by studying the postoperative clinical results of 100 patients than received coronary artery bypass grafting (CARG) with this artery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between May of 1998 and May of 1999, an analysis of the mortality, postoperative myocardial infarction, and the need for IABP insertion as a result of low cardiac output were made between 100 consecutive patients undergoing CABG with the RGEA. There was one postoperative death due to cerebral infarction. Postoperative complications/morbidity comprised myocardial infarction in 2, cerebral infarct in 3, reoperation due to bleeding in 1, mediastinitis in 1, and low cardiac output syndrome necessitating IABP in 3 patients. Complicatons related to harvesting of the arterial grafts were not experienced in any of the patients.
CONCLUSION
The results of the current data show that utilization of the RGEA in CABG is not associated with increased mortality/morbidity and demonstrates satisfactory short term results suggesting the usefulnessof this conduit as an arterial graft.

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Cardiac Output, Low
Cerebral Infarction
Coronary Artery Bypass*
Coronary Vessels*
Gastroepiploic Artery*
Hemorrhage
Humans
Mediastinitis
Mortality
Myocardial Infarction
Reoperation
Transplants