[Redo off-pump coronary artery grafting through left thoracotomy]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
• Coronary Artery Disease Management

Background:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a standard treatment for coronary artery disease.
• Reoperative CABG is complex and associated with higher risks.
• Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly explored to improve outcomes and reduce morbidity.

Observation:

• An 80-year-old male patient underwent successful reoperative CABG.
• The procedure utilized a left thoracotomy approach without cardiopulmonary bypass.
• An automated proximal anastomosis system connected the saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the thoracic aorta.

Findings:

• The SVG was sequentially anastomosed to the high lateral branch and anterior descending artery.
• The patient experienced an uneventful recovery.
• The patient remained free of chest pain post-procedure.

Implications:

• Left thoracotomy is a safe and effective approach for selected patients needing redo CABG targeting the left coronary artery.
• This technique may reduce perioperative morbidity associated with cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Further research can explore the long-term efficacy and broader application of this minimally invasive strategy.