Experimental aortocoronary artery bypass grafting using a CO2 laser on the dog: acute experiment

This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of using laser tissue welding in aortocoronary bypass operation. Simulated aortocoronary bypass operations were performed on 10 dog hearts supported by extracorporeal circulation. Distal anastomoses between internal mammary artery and coronary artery were achieved using the laser technique, which includes four stay sutures of 7-0 polypropylene and tissue welding between the stays by the laser at a power level of 65 mW. Short-term luminal patency was 100% without stenosis by angiography. Microscopy and histology showed that CO2 laser caused medial change resulting in fusion with preservation of normal intimal morphology. The aortocoronary bypass operation using a CO2 laser is technically feasible, and this technique may open up a new method for patients with small peripheral coronary artery obstruction and for pediatric patients with certain conditions (eg, Kawasaki disease).