Fifteen-year follow-up for double internal thoracic artery grafts

The internal mammary artery (IMA) is the conduit of choice for myocardial revascularization. From 1972 to 1989, 586 patients received bilateral IMA and supplemental vein grafts. There were 506 men (86%) and 79 women (14%) with a mean age of 55.5 years (range 32-77 years). Unstable angina was present in 138 patients (24%), insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus in 83 (14%) and previous myocardial infarction (MI) in 25 (4%). Preoperative angiography demonstrated triple-vessel disease in 286 patients (49%) and double-vessel disease in the remaining 300 patients (51%). Left main coronary artery disease (stenosis greater than or equal to 50%) was present in 53 (9%). The mean left ventricular score was 7.4 with a range of 5 to 20. The mean number of grafts performed was 3.4 per patient. Hospital mortality was 3.6% (21 patients). Follow-up was done through direct patient contact, via the patient's physician or by telephone contact with the patient themselves or surviving family members. Follow-up was complete in 518 hospital survivors and ranged from 1 month to 17.5 years with a cumulative follow-up of 911 patient years. At 10 and 15 years, respectively, the actuarial freedom from MI was 78% and 72% and freedom from reoperation was 93% and 86%. Actuarial survival at 10 and 15 years was 85% and 70%, respectively. This longitudinal analysis demonstrates that bilateral IMA grafting has a low operative risk. The data suggest that utilization of two IMA grafts yield excellent freedom from recurrent symptoms and provides excellent long-term survival.