[Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using graft to coronary shunt for acute coronary syndrome]

We developed graft to coronary shunt during off-pump anastomosis. Proximal anastomosis of saphenous vein graft (SVG) was done formerly, and vinyl chloride tube, 5 cm long and 2 mm in diameter, was inserted into SVG. Another end was inserted into coronary artery, and continuous suture around the tube was performed before removing the tube. This technique is fit to use for the anastomosis between SVG and #3. Because the tube is easily inserted into those parts without injury of intima, and distal right coronary artery needs enough blood supply. After the revascularization of left anterior descending artery and #3, the heart can be displaced to expose circumflex artery. We adopted this technique to 3 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Though this technique is not adopted for the patients having stenosis on #4, we conclude that SVG to coronary shunt could be a important part of the strategies of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) for ACS patients.