Composite grafting techniques is a commonly used strategy in coronary artery bypass grafting,especially suits elderly patients.It is an attractive myocardial revascularization strategy when the grafts are not sufficient to achieve complete myocardial revascularization.Furthermore,composite grafting in the presence of a diseased aortic wall seems a rational approach to reduce the incidene of postoperative neurological deficit or stroke by avoiding the manipulation of atherosclerotic aorta.Also,it gained excellent short and midterm results.This review provides an overview of the various surgical techniques,outcomes,concerns and controversies associated with composite grafting.
Objective To assess the use of arterial revascularization and to compare the early outcomes with traditional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods From January 1999 to January 2005, 123 patients (114 male, 9 females; age 52.2±10.1 years) underwent coronary artery surgery alone with disease of more than one coronary artery were considered for complete arterial revascularization (artery revascularization group). Internal mammary artery and radial artery was considered for artery grafts. At same period 115 patients (102 males, 13 females; age 60.3±9.1 years) underwent traditional revascularization using left internal mammary artery and veins (traditional group). The purpose was to compare the operative results between two groups. Results The patients in artery revascularization group were younger than that in traditional group, but there were more patients with three vessels disease in traditional group(54.5% vs. 86.1%, P=0.001). Off-pump CABG was choosed for more patients in artery revascularization group (26.0% vs. 57.4%, P=0.001). Patients in this group need more operative time if on-pump technique was used. The number of grafts were less in this group (2.6±0.7 vs. 3.4±0.9, P=0.001).There was no significant difference in hospital mortality and morbidity between two groups. Conclusion Proper patients using artery grafts appear to be safe in terms of in hospital mortality and morbidity.