Objective : The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate at mid term, clinical and angiographic results of complete myocardial revascularization using BITA T graft technique and especially FRITA depending anastomoses patency.
Methods : From January 1996 to December 2000, 220 patients benefited of a total myocardial revascularization using the BITA T graft technique, under cardiopulmonary by-pass. The late mortality rate was 4% (9/220) . The 211 remaining patients were asked to answer an evaluation questionnaire where recurrence of symptoms and health quality were assessed by a 4 levels scale (level 1: excellent results, clearly improved; level 2: good results, no recurrent angina; level 3: no improvement; level 4: bad quality of life). One hundred thirty four answered, 118 accepted a visit for clinical examination. Among these 40 accepted an angiogram within 22.9 months (range,6-54 months) delay of surgery.
Results : One hundred and twelve patients (84%) evaluated themselves on level 1 quality of live, 16 patients (12%) on level 2, 6 patients (6%) on level 3 and none in level 4. A total of 131 coronary anastomoses (55 with the left internal thoracic artery, 76 with the free right internal thoracic artery) 3.28 per patient, were studied. The overall distal anastomotic patency is of 90%, 94% for the left internal thoracic and 86% for the free right internal thoracic anastomoses.
Conclusion : This technique, using a sparing graft procedure, allows a complete revascularization with good functional results. When directed toward critically stenosed coronary arteries, avoiding competitive flow, BITA distal anastomoses patency using the T graft technique is encouraging even on the right coronary artery and on distal circumflex branches.