Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in insulin-treated diabetes

We sought to assess the risk and late outcome of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in eligible insulin-treated diabetic subsets.

147 insulin-treated diabetic patients undergoing arterial revascularization were grouped as: skeletonized bilateral internal thoracic artery (n = 83) or internal thoracic artery-radial artery (n = 64). Chronic lung disease or overweight and female constituted exclusion criteria for bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts.

Patients who had bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts were younger and comprised fewer females. Left-sided bilateral internal thoracic artery configurations were predominantly applied. Despite mean hemoglobin A1c of 8.0% ± 1% (range, 7%-13.5%) respective rates of deep sternal infection in bilateral internal thoracic artery and radial artery patients were 1.2% and 0%; superficial wound infection occurred in 3.1% and 3.6%, respectively. One sternoplasty was performed. Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting did not correlate with sternal complications (odds ratio = 2.24, 95%CI: 0.56-8.95, p = 0.256). Of the radial artery conduits, 98% were adequate, and procurement-site complications occurred in 3.1%. Follow-up was 2-58 months (median, 25 months). Five-year survival was comparable in the 2 groups (p = 0.360). Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting did not reduce late major adverse cardiac events (p = 0.729) or late mortality (p = 0.384).

Skeletonized bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts can be used with acceptable risk in a substantial portion of insulin-treated diabetic patients, so it should not be automatically denied, but the choice of such grafts is not associated with midterm cardiac benefits.