Five years follow-up after Y-graft arterial revascularization: on pump versus off pump; prospective clinical trial

We report our comparative experience of on-pump and off-pump full arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using both internal mammary arteries (IMAs) anastomosed as a Y-graft.

A single-center clinical study was conducted prospectively between January 2003 and May 2008. It compared the short- and mid-term clinical outcomes of on- and off-pump arterial revascularization where the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was anastomosed to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery while the free right internal mammary artery (RIMA) graft taking off from the LIMA was used to bypass different coronary targets.

One hundred and ninety-two patients were divided into 77 on-pump and 115 off-pump procedures based on the intention to treat. The mean age in both groups was 60.2+/-11.7 and 68.1+/-10.6 years, respectively (P<0.05). Mean predictive logistic EuroSCORE was 3.5+/-6.7% for the on-pump group and 7.3+/-8.6% for the off-pump group (P<0.0001). Mean number of distal anastomoses were 2.7+/-0.6 (group ON) and 2.5+/-0.6 (group OFF) (P=NS). Postoperative mortality was two patients (2.6%) in the on-pump group and four patients (3.4%) in the off-pump group (P=0.63). No major adverse cardiac event, no stroke and no late death were reported during the follow-up that averaged 36.5+/-18.6 months. Angina recurrence was three patients (2.6%) in off-pump and two patients (3.5%) in on-pump group (P=NS).

The use of a free RIMA as Y-graft from the LIMA performed off pump eradicates aortic manipulations and provides complete revascularization to high-risk patients with mortality similar to the one of a lower risk population operated on pump. The morbidity and cost was lower in the off-pump group. This advocates for the widespread usage of the technique in high-risk patients.