Kinking of internal mammary grafts: report of two cases and surgical correction

Two patients who underwent left internal mammary artery (IMA) anastomoses to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) developed sudden angina associated with anterior ischemic changes on EKG in the early postoperative period, one at 4 hr and the other at 3 days following operation. Digitalized arteriography via retrograde injection of the left brachial artery revealed the IMAs, which were partially obstructed because of looping and Kinking, although the anastomoses to the LAD were patent. Reoperation was successful in relieving obstruction by reducing these abnormalities and resulted in an uncomplicated postoperative course following the second operation. Discussion of the etiology, radiological technique of diagnosis, correction, and prevention of this cause of internal mammary graft failure is presented.