Real-time vessel navigation using indocyanine green fluorescence during robotic-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer after coronary artery bypass grafting using the right gastroepiploic artery.

Injury to the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) graft during gastrectomy after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can cause critical coronary failure. A man in his 60s with advanced gastric cancer and a history of CABG was admitted to our hospital. His cardiac blood flow was dependent on RGEA, and a gastrectomy with RGEA preservation was necessary. Robot-assisted distal gastrectomy with real-time vessel navigation using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging and Da Vinci Firefly technology was planned. Intraperitoneal observation revealed severe adhesions around the graft. Two milliliters ICG (2.5 mg/mL) was injected intravenously, and RGEA was visualized. An RGEA-preserving robot-assisted distal gastrectomy was successfully performed. The operation time was 279 minutes, and the blood loss was 5 mL. The postoperative course was good and there were no complications.

I-Composite Graft with Right Internal Thoracic Artery and Right Gastroepiploic Artery in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

PURPOSE: When added to the internal thoracic artery (ITA), the right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) has been used as an in-situ graft or an I-composite right ITA-right GEA graft in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We aimed to verify its potential. METHODS: We evaluated 104 patients who underwent first isolated CABG with this I-composite graft. The number of distal anastomoses, graft flow (GF) and pulsatility index (PI) during surgery, and graft patency in the early term regarding this I-composite graft were evaluated. RESULTS: The number of total distal anastomoses and distal anastomoses with arterial grafts were 4.17 ± 0.81 and 3.63 ± 0.81, respectively. This I-composite graft achieved 2.38 ± 0.69 distal anastomoses. GF tended to increase according to the increased number of distal anastomoses (p = 0.241), and the PI maintained a low score regardless of the number of distal anastomoses (p = 0.834). Graft patency was 95.5%; moreover, the number of distal anastomoses with this I-composite graft did not affect early-term graft patency. CONCLUSION: Right GEA utility was expanded as this I-composite graft in addition to in-situ graft. This I-composite graft has an adequate flow capacity for revascularization in non-left anterior descending coronary artery lesions.

Diaphragmatic hernia post coronary artery bypass with gastroepiploic artery.

An 86-year-old man, with a medical history of coronary artery bypass grafting with the right gastroepiploic artery 20 years prior, was admitted to our hospital for right-sided heart failure. Computed tomography findings revealed an intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia of the transverse colon compressing the right ventricle. The hernia was successfully repaired, and the patient recovered without any complications. Diaphragmatic hernia is rare but may be a lethal complication following coronary artery bypass grafting. We should be aware of the possibility of this condition.

Right gastroepiploic artery versus right internal thoracic artery composite grafts: 10-year patency and long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the 10-year graft occlusion rates and long-term clinical outcomes of right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) composite grafts with those of right internal thoracic artery (RITA) composite grafts. METHODS: From 2000 to 2008, 548 patients had undergone total arterial revascularization for multivessel coronary artery disease using the RGEA (RGEA group; n = 389) or RITA (RITA group; n = 159) as a second-limb Y-composite graft based on the in situ left ITA. A propensity score-matched analysis was used to match the RGEA group (n = 152) with the RITA group (n = 152). The 10-year angiographic occlusion rates and long-term clinical outcomes were compared. The follow-up data were complete for all 304 patients (100%) with a median follow-up of 143.7 months. RESULTS: The early clinical outcomes were similar between the matched groups. The overall graft occlusion rate was 9.5% at 10 years in the matched group patients (matched RGEA and RITA groups, 10.3% and 8.4%, respectively; P = .639). The 10-year occlusion rates of the second-limb conduits showed no differences between the matched RGEA and RITA groups (14.1% and 10.2%, respectively; P = .487). No statistically significant differences were found at 15 years postoperatively in the overall survival (52.9% vs 49.4%; P = .470), cardiac mortality-free survival (92.1% vs 90.9%; P = .560), freedom from target vessel revascularization (83.0% vs 91.4%; P = .230), freedom from reintervention (68.8% vs 76.2%; P = .731), or freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (56.4% vs 64.6%; P = .364) rates between the matched groups. CONCLUSIONS: Total arterial revascularization using RGEA composite grafts showed comparable results to those using RITA composite grafts in terms of the 10-year occlusion rates and long-term clinical outcomes.

Does the Addition of a Gastroepiploic Artery to Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Improve Survival?

It is unclear whether the additional conduit to supplement bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) influences the patient outcome in coronary surgery. This retrospective study compared long-term survival of patients undergoing left-sided BITA grafting in which the third conduit to the right coronary system (RCA) was either vein graft (SVG) or gastroepiploic artery (GEA). From 1989 to 2014, 1432 consecutive patients underwent left-sided revascularization with BITA associated with SVG (n = 599) or GEA (n = 833) to RCA. Propensity score was calculated by logistic regression model and patients were matched 1 to 1 leading to 2 groups of 320 matched patients. The primary end point was the overall mortality from any cause. GEA was used in significantly lower risk patients. The 30-day mortality was 1.6% without influence of the graft configuration. Postoperative follow-up was 13.6 ± 6.6 years and was 94% complete. The significant difference in patients' survival observed at 20 years in favor of GEA in unmatched groups (48 ± 4% vs 33 ± 6%, P < 0.001) was not confirmed in matched groups (41 ± 7% vs 36 ± 7%, P = 0.112). In multivariable Cox model analysis, the conduit used to RCA did not influence the long-term survival in matched groups, like no other graft configuration or operative parameter. Only complete revascularization remained predictor of survival (P = 0.016), with age (P < 0.0001), diabetes status (P = 0.007), and left ventricle ejection fraction (P < 0.0001). Long-term survival in patients undergoing BITA grafting is not affected by using GEA as third arterial conduit in alternative to SVG. Further studies are necessary to assess its impact on long-term cardiac events.

[A Case of Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Occurring after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using the Right Gastroepiploic Artery].

We present a case of 72-year-old man who was diagnosed with gastric cancer that occurred after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)with the right gastroepiploic artery(RGEA). Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 0-Ⅱc lesion at the posterior wall of gastric angle, and diagnosis was cStage Ⅰ(T2N0M0). Cardiac computed-tomography showed an occlusion of the RGEA graft, suggesting that the RGEA graft could be ligated and dissected. Coronary angiography showed no severe stenosis of the right coronary artery, suggesting that coronary revascularization was not necessary. He underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. During the operation, the RGEA graft was dissected after clamp test for 20 minutes to confirm no cardiac event. In such cases, it is crucial to consider whether it is possible or not to dissect the RGEA graft and whether to restore the coronary flow with preoperative meticulous examination.

How decisive is the number of distal arterial anastomoses in coronary bypass surgery?

BACKGROUND: The benefit of arterial revascularization in coronary surgery remains controversial. The incremental value of additional grafts to the left internal thoracic artery (ITA) has been mainly assessed according to the number of arterial grafts, possibly limiting the detection of its actual impact. We analyzed the influence of the number of distal arterial anastomoses (DAA) performed on late mortality in patients having received from one to three arterial grafts. METHODS: Retrospective review of 3685 primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed from 1989 to 2014 was conducted with a 13-year mean follow-up. One arterial graft (SITA) was used in 969 patients, two arterial grafts, ITA or gastroepiploic artery (GEA), in 1883 patients (BITA: 1644; SITA+GEA: 239), and three arterial grafts in 833 patients (BITA+GEA). Totally, 795 patients (22%) received one DAA, 1142 patients (31%) two, 1337 patients (36%) three, and 411 patients (11%) four or more. A sub-group analysis was done in the 2104 patients with 3-vessel disease who received at least 2 arterial grafts. RESULTS: In this series the early mortality was 1.6% and it was not influenced by the surgical technique. Late mortality was significantly influenced by age, gender, heart failure, LV ejection fraction, diabetes status, complete revascularization, number of arterial grafts, number of DAA, both ITA, sequential ITA graft, GEA graft. In multivariable analysis with Cox regression model, the number of DAA was the only technical significant independent prognosis factor of late survival (p < 0.0001), predominant over both ITA, complete revascularization and number of arterial grafts. The impact of the number of DAA on survival was found discriminant from 1 to 3; after 3 there was no more additional effect. In 3-vessel disease patients who received at least 2 arterial grafts, the number of DAA remained a significant independent prognosis factor of late survival (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The number of distal arterial anastomoses is an independent predictor of long-term survival, predominant over the number of arterial grafts and the completeness of the revascularization; higher the number, better the late survival. It is a strong support of the extensive use of arterial grafting in CABG.

Long-term Outcome 10 Years After Free Gastroepiploic Artery Graft for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The long-term benefits of "free" gastroepiploic artery (GEA) grafts remain unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term patency and clinical results of en bloc free GEA grafts. METHODS: Of the 1478 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery at our institution between January 1997 and December 2009, 137 patients underwent en bloc free GEA grafting. Graft patency, late survival, and freedom from major adverse cardiovascular events were examined. Propensity score matching was used to compare the patency of free GEA grafts with the saphenous vein grafts, and 134 matched pairs were generated. RESULTS: The early patency rate of free GEA grafts was 98.6%. The long-term patency rates of the free GEA grafts was 96.5% at 5 years, 95% at 10 years, and 86.6% at 15 years. In the 134 matched pairs, the long-term patency rates of free GEA grafts anastomosed to the right coronary artery were significantly higher than those of saphenous vein grafts to the right coronary artery (97% vs 91.8% at 5 years; 95.3% vs 79.6% at 10 years; 85.9% vs 61.7% at 15 years; P < .001). Survival was 94% at 5 years, 86.6% at 10 years, and 66.8% at 15 years; and freedom from major adverse cardiovascular events was 93.2% at 5 years, 91.3% at 10 years, and 73.1% at 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: En bloc free GEA grafts had favorable long-term performance and can be considered as an effective option for patients who need to receive as many arterial grafts as possible.

In situ skeletonized gastroepiploic artery grafting in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVES: There is no firm treatment strategy of coronary artery bypass grafting in hemodialysis patients. We investigated postoperative outcomes in hemodialysis patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting using in situ skeletonized gastroepiploic artery. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2019, 143 hemodialysis patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in our institution. Among them, 49 consecutive patients with gastroepiploic artery grafting were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: No patient was converted from off-pump to on-pump surgery. The mean distal anastomoses were 3.6 ± 1.0 per patients. Seven patients (14.3%) required proximal anastomosis to aorta. Thirty-day mortality was 4.1% (2 of 49). The early (3-20 days after surgery) patency rate of the gastroepiploic artery was 96.9% (63 of 65 anastomoses). The adjusted rates of survival free from overall death at 1, 5 and 10 years after surgery were 91.7%, 72.6% and 32.5%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that age (hazard ratio 1.131, 95% confidence interval 1.055-1.212, p < 0.001) and LVEF < 40% (hazard ratio 9.411, 95% confidence interval 1.963-45.919, p = 0.005) were independent predictors of mid-term death from all causes (Table 6). CONCLUSIONS: Short and mid-term outcomes were acceptable. The use of in situ skeletonized gastroepiploic artery can decrease the time of touching aorta, so gastroepiploic artery grafting may be an important option for coronary artery bypass grafting in hemodialysis patients with limited conduits.

Arterioplasty using gastroepiploic artery patch for common femoral artery occlusive disease.

We present the first case of arterioplasty of the common femoral artery performed using a gastroepiploic artery (GEA) patch for a 59-year-old man on haemodialysis. He was incidentally diagnosed with coronary artery disease with left main trunk stenosis and double-vessel disease upon screening examination for peripheral artery disease. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a severely narrowed right common femoral artery. We planned a simultaneous off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) involving the bilateral internal thoracic arteries and GEA, and endarterectomy of the right common femoral artery. Because the remnant GEA was sufficiently long and its diameter was sufficiently large, we used a GEA patch during arterioplasty to preserve the saphenous vein. This method is limited to simultaneous surgery with CABG using GEA but is a useful alternative for preserving the saphenous vein.

Harvest of the right gastroepiploic artery graft using a novel hybrid ultrasonic/bipolar energy device.

BACKGROUND: The right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) is a useful in-situ graft, and skeletonization is effective to prevent spasm and achieve good patency. To harvest the skeletonized RGEA easily, ultrasonic scalpel has been widely used, but the tip shape of conventional ultrasonic device was not optimal for this procedure. Recently, a novel hybrid ultrasonic/bipolar energy device (THUNDERBEAT Open Fine Jaw [TOFJ]) has been developed and is widely used in general surgery. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The operator holds forceps in left hand and TOFJ in right hand, incises the anterior layer of the omentum, and extends the incision distally along the RGEA. The side branches and satellite veins were sealed and cut. Because the tip of the TOFJ is well-designed to easily grasp and peel off the tissue, there is no need to change instruments throughout the procedure. After the dissection was advanced distally, the proximal side was subsequently dissected. CONCLUSIONS: This novel device is useful for harvesting skeletonized RGEA.

Harvesting of the gastroepiploic artery using a novel hybrid bipolar ultrasonic energy device.

Until now, scissors, clips and electrocautery have been used to harvest the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) for grafting. Because this artery has many branches and large fragile satellite veins tangled around it, conventional methods are not suitable for quick harvesting without bleeding. In order to harvest the GEA easily and efficiently, a skeletonized technique using an ultrasonic scalpel was developed, but the blade of this device was not well designed for fine tissue dissection.  In order to address this problem, we have developed an alternative harvesting technique using a hybrid bipolar/ultrasonic energy device. This hybrid device integrates both electrical bipolar energy and ultrasonic frictional heat energy and is thus more versatile than traditional energy devices.  In addition, it achieves faster dissection speed while offering similar bursting pressure and acceptable thermal spread. Finally, our device has an improved blade design that is suitable for fine tissue dissection.  This video tutorial demonstrates our use of this new hybrid energy device and shows how it enables the surgeon to harvest the GEA quickly, safely, with little bleeding, and with less instrument exchange.

Atypical Kawasaki disease: A patient with coronary, brain, and internal mammary arteritis.

Here we report a rare case of atypical Kawasaki disease (KD) in a patient presenting with systemic arteritis affecting the coronary arteries, brain, and internal mammary arteries (IMAs). A 25-year-old man was referred to our institute with angina pectoris. Coronary angiography revealed coronary artery aneurysms and triple-vessel disease. Three-dimensional brain computed tomography showed multiple small saccular aneurysms on the vertebral and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries. Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting ​​​​​​was performed; however, the bilateral IMAs were tightly adhered and not patent. OPCAB was completed using the bilateral radial and gastroepiploic arteries. This is the first report of KD involving the IMA.

Twenty-year outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting utilizing 3 in situ arterial grafts.

OBJECTIVE: The added value of total arterial revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting becomes particularly apparent when evaluating long-term results. We previously reported on our 10-year outcomes of total arterial revascularization using bilateral internal thoracic and gastroepiploic arteries as in situ grafts in patients with 3-vessel disease. This study aimed to increase the follow-up period to 20 years. METHODS: We updated clinical outcomes of 201 patients operated on between 1992 and 2002. At that time, the technique was primarily performed in patients with a longer life expectancy. Primary end points were overall survival and freedom from the composite of major adverse cardiac events. Secondary end points were the separate cardiac events. RESULTS: Extended follow-up included all patients. The median follow-up time was 19.2 years (interquartile range, 16.2-20.0). The respective 15- and 20-year Kaplan-Meier estimated survival probabilities were 73.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67.2%-79.5%) and 63.5% (95% CI, 55.7%-70.4%) for overall survival and 57.9% (95% CI, 50.7%-64.5%) and 47.9% (95% CI, 40.1%-55.3%) for freedom from major adverse cardiac events. The respective estimated cumulative incidences at 15 and 20 years were 7.0% (95% CI, 3.5%-10.6%) and 7.8% (95% CI, 4.0%-11.6%) for myocardial infarction, 8.6% (95% CI, 4.7%-12.5%) and 9.3% (95% CI, 5.2%-13.3%) for percutaneous reintervention, 7.0% (95% CI, 3.5%-10.5%) and 7.0% (95% CI, 3.5%-10.5%) for reoperation, 8.6% (95% CI, 4.7%-12.6%) and 12.9% (95% CI, 7.6%-18.2%) for cardiac death, and 10.8% (95% CI, 6.5%-15.2%) and 15.2% (95% CI, 9.8%-20.6%) for death from other causes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of in situ bilateral internal thoracic and gastroepiploic arteries provides outstanding 15- and 20-year survival and cardiac event-free survival probabilities. Further studies are needed in older patients with more severe comorbidities. Nevertheless, the results from this and scarce other studies on 15- to 20-year outcomes of total arterial revascularization suggest that cardiac surgeons should embrace the application of total arterial grafting to further reduce the risks of long-term cardiac events, especially during the second decade after surgery.

Current mechanisms of low graft flow and conduit choice for the right coronary artery based on the severity of native coronary stenosis and myocardial flow demand.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated current mechanisms causing low graft flow (LGF) following coronary artery bypass grafting, particularly for the right coronary artery (RCA). METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 230 individual bypass grafts as the sole bypass graft for the RCA using preoperative and postoperative quantitative angiography. Overall, 155 in-situ gastroepiploic arteries (GEAs) and 75 saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) were included. The size and status of the revascularised area were examined to determine whether these factors were associated with LGF (defined as ≤ 20 mL/min with intraoperative flowmetry). A distal lesion was defined as stenosis at segment #4, whereas a proximal lesion was stenosis at #1, #2 and #3. RESULTS: Graft flow in the SVG and the GEA for distal lesion was significantly less compared with that for proximal lesion (34 ± 26 vs. 60 ± 46, p < 0.0001 and 22 ± 12 vs. 43 ± 28, p = 0.0004, respectively). For proximal lesion, LGF was significantly more frequent when the minimal luminal diameter was over 1.27 compared with when it was less than 1.27 (p = 0.02). Prior myocardial infarction significantly correlated with LGF in the GEA (p = 0.007) and the SVG (p = 0.03). In 55 bypass grafts with LGF, the causes were competitive flow in 20.0%, small revascularised area in 38.1% and prior myocardial infarction in 32.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Along with the current strategy based on the severity of native coronary stenosis, the incidence of competitive flow decreased remarkably. This resulted in flow demand, myocardial status and collateral vessels more influential on graft patency.

The long-term patency of a gastroepiploic artery bypass graft deployed in a semiskeletonized fashion: predictors of patency.

OBJECTIVES: Whether or not using the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) is associated with improved outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains unclear. Previous research has shown that the short-term function of the GEA was strongly associated with the degree of native vessel stenosis. We assessed the association between long-term GEA patency and the degree of stenosis of the coronary artery. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 517 patients who underwent CABG with an in situ semiskeletonized GEA from January 2000 to January 2015. In this cohort, 282 (54.5%) patients underwent distant radiological evaluations for >1 year post-surgery (range 1-18 years after surgery). Quantitative coronary angiography was used to measure the degree of stenosis of the native coronary artery. Preoperative angiographic parameters include the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) and the percentage of target vessel stenosis. A multivariable stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify predictors of angiographic occlusion. RESULTS: The cumulative patency rate of the GEA was 79.3% at 10 years. A multivariable analysis showed that an MLD (hazard ratio 4.43, 95% confidence interval 3.25-6.82; P < 0.001) was an independent risk factor of GEA occlusion. A time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified that an MLD >1 mm was set as the cut-off value for graft occlusion. Patients with an MLD <1 mm had a 10-year patency rate of 89.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term patency of the semiskeletonized GEA was acceptable. The target vessel MLD obtained using quantitative coronary angiography was a strong predictor of patency. Good long-term patency can be expected for an MLD <1 mm.

Management of Right Gastroepiploic Arterial Coronary Grafts in Subsequent Abdominal Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: The right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) is utilized as an excellent in situ arterial graft conduit to right coronary artery territory for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, there remain great concerns regarding the management of patients with a patent in situ GEA during abdominal surgery following CABG. METHODS: From 1995 to 2016, GEA was used for CABG in 278 patients at our institution. Of the patients, 14 abdominal surgeries were performed for subsequent abdominal diseases in 11 patients with a patent in situ GEA for CABG. We investigated the results of the surgeries and how to manage the GEAs in abdominal surgery. RESULTS: Laparotomy was required for gastric cancer in 3 patients, pancreatic cancer in 3, hepatic cancer in 2, cholangiocarcinoma in 1, duodenal papillary head cancer in 1, and cholecystitis in 1; multiple abdominal surgeries were needed in 2 patients for cancer recurrence and ileus. The intraabdominal adhesions around the GEAs were minimal in all patients. No graft injury occurred at the time of opening of the abdomen, and the planned procedures were completed without any circulatory problems. In 3 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, intraabdominal off-pump rerouting of the GEA with a short saphenous vein was necessary for en bloc resection of the cancers and lymph nodes. There was neither operative mortality nor graft-related cardiac event except for 1 due to multiple organ failure. CONCLUSIONS: Although intraabdominal rerouting of GEA is necessary for pancreaticoduodenectomy, abdominal surgery can be safely performed in patients with a patent in situ GEA coronary graft.

Abdominal surgery for gastric cancer following coronary artery bypass grafting using an in situ right gastroepiploic artery graft.

BACKGROUND: The right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) is often used for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in Japan. As gastric cancer has a high prevalence in many Asian countries, we investigated problems with surgery for gastric cancer after CABG using the RGEA. METHODS: A total of 860 patients underwent CABG using the RGEA between January 1997 and December 2006. Of these, 13 patients underwent surgery for gastric cancer after CABG. In all cases, the RGEA was harvested by the skeletonization technique, and an antegastric route was used for the anastomosis. RESULTS: Dissection for the No. 6 lymph node was not performed in all cases because of the risk of graft injury. Graft injury during gastric surgery occurred in one patient and post-operative ventricular fibrillation (VF) was observed in two patients. One case of hospital death due to VF and two cases of remote death were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: In planning a resection for gastric cancer following a CABG with a patent RGEA graft, the potential for graft injury must be anticipated. In advanced stages of gastric cancer when the RGEA needs to be resected to dissect the No.6 lymph node, a pre-operative percutaneous coronary intervention or a reoperative CABG may be indicated.

Should Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting Be Used in Patients After Recent Myocardial Infarction?

BACKGROUND: Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting (BITA) is associated with improved survival. However, surgeons do not commonly use BITA in patients after myocardial infarction (MI) because survival is good with single internal thoracic artery grafting (SITA). We aimed to compare the outcomes of BITA with those of SITA and other approaches in patients with multivessel disease after recent MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 938 patients with recent MI (<3 months) who underwent BITA between 1996 and 2011 were compared with 682 who underwent SITA. SITA patients were older and more likely to have comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure, peripheral vascular disease), to be female, and to have had a previous MI. Acute MI and 3-vessel disease were more prevalent in the BITA group. Operative mortality of BITA patients was lower (3.0% versus 5.8%, P=0.01), and sternal infections and strokes were similar. Median follow-up was 15.21 years (range: 0-21.25 years). Survival of BITA patients was better (70.3% versus 52.5%, P<0.001). Propensity score matching was used to account for differences in preoperative characteristics between groups. Overall, 551 matched pairs had similar preoperative characteristics. BITA was a predictor of better survival in the matched groups (hazard ratio: 0.679; P=0.002; Cox model). Adjusted survival of emergency BITA and SITA patients was similar (hazard ratio: 0.883; P=0.447); however, in the nonemergency group, BITA was a predictor of better survival (hazard ratio: 0.790; P=0.009; Cox model). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that survival is better with BITA compared with SITA in nonemergency cases after recent MI, with proper patient selection.