[Reoperation and PTCA after coronary artery bypass graft]

Since 1984, 1410 patients underwent coronary bypass grafting at Juntendo University Hospital. At the primary operation 797 patients had internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft and 613 patients received only saphenous vein graft (SVG). Reoperation was done in one pt. in ITA group and 10 pts. in SVG group. There were 2 deaths (reoperative mortality 18%). Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty to stenotic SVG was applied to 71 lesions in CABG patients. The primary success rate was 81.7% and restenosis rate was 38.9%. Urgent reoperation was performed on 3 pts. who had PTCA to diseased LAD or stenotic SVG to LAD. Reoperation is technically demanding and is associated with high mortality. Balloon angioplasty may provide a suitable alternative. But high restenosis rate (especially acute stenosis) remains a significant problem, particularly in the pts. with diseased LAD or stenotic vein graft to LAD. Reoperation is another option to relieve the ischemic symptoms in pts. with diseased LAD or stenotic vein graft to LAD.