[Severe infective endocarditis through the history]. / Les endocardites aiguës infectieuses sévères à travers l'histoire.

The history of infective endocarditis (IE) is a good example of medical progress. Initially incurable, endocarditis, when diagnosed, was synonym of death. After significant diagnostic progress, thanks to Osler's contribution especially, the first surgeries and antibacterial drugs obtained very few successful cures. We had to wait until Flamming's discovery to observe frequent cures thanks to antibiotics. Surgery manages to push possibilities of cure a bit further. However, paravalvular extensions, described since the first surgical case of IE, was a real technical matter. Thus, the second half of 20th century was devoted to overcoming this surgical challenge. In this historical review, we describe the story of severe IE, especially with paravalvular involvement, by highlighting major progress - clinical and surgical, that allows its current management.

Technical risks with subcutaneous insulin infusion.

The popularity of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), as a way for achieving long term strict glycaemic control in diabetic patients, has increased over the last ten years. Most reports on technical faults, often leading to metabolic emergencies, mainly ketoacidosis, have been published in the 1980s. Obstruction of infusion set and infection of infusion site are the most frequent events. Insulin precipitation or aggregation is thought to be one of the precipitating factors. Few data are available about failures of the pump itself. We report our experience of pump malfunctions recorded between 2001 and 2004 in 376 pumps used by patients treated with CSII therapy in Brittany. Recent studies indicate a decrease of metabolic complication frequency during CSII. This suggests technical improvements and/or a greater experience of physicians in selecting and educating patients. We report instructions for monitoring insulin pump therapy that should be included in a formal educational program for pump users. Clinical studies using newly available devices should reassess technical risks associated with CSII.

[Valve replacement for aortic regurgitation associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a series of 5 cases]. / Remplacement valvulaire pour insuffisance aortique associée a la polyarthrite rhumatoïde: a propos de 5 cas.

Between 30 and 50% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have cardiac involvement but only 2 to 10% have clinical manifestations. The authors report the results of a retrospective study of 5 cases of aortic regurgitation (AR) requiring valve replacement. There were 4 women and 1 man with an average age of 48.4 years. The average duration of the RA was 19.6 years. All patients had cardiac failure. Aortic valve replacement was performed in all cases, with bioprostheses in 4 out of 5 patients. The histopathological examination of the valves showed a rheumatoid nodule in 3 cases and non-specific lesions in one case. In the fifth patient, rheumatoid serology was positive in the pericardial effusion. The average interval between the onset of symptoms and cardiac surgery was 3.6 months (range 1 to 6 months) There were 3 deaths at 3 days, 20 months and 10 years, two patients survive after 12 and 14 years. The characteristic rapid progression of this form of AR, which may be life-threatening, should be emphasised.

[Pilot study of a strategy combining coronary angioplasty with valvular and/or coronary surgery on the same day]. / Etude pilote d'une stratégie combinée associant une angioplastle coronaire a une chirurgie valvulaire et/ou coronaire le même jour.

A strategy combining percutaneous coronary angioplasty followed by valvular and/or coronary surgery was recently proposed as an alternative to the classical surgical only approach. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and the results of such a combined strategy with the two procedures performed the same day. The population comprised 34 patients including 17 with valvular disease and revascularisable coronary lesions (15 symptomatic severe aortic stenoses and two acute mitral insufficiencies) plus 17 multitrunk coronary patients without valvular disease but with an indication for revascularisation. Angioplasty was performed several hours prior to surgery and a loading dose of 300mg clopidogrel was administered immediately postoperatively; all patients were on aspirin before the procedure. The average age was 67 +/- 11 years, NYHA class 2.3 +/- 0.7, angina 73%, LVEF 58 +/- 10%. Single coronary artery disease was present in 26%, two vessel disease in 35% and three vessel disease in 39%. The success rate for angioplasty plus stent was 98%. 60 stents were active. Bypasses were exclusively arterial (left or right internal mammary arteries). We observed 4 in-hospital deaths, one of which was due to an infarct and three due to extra-cardiac causes (1 non-cardiogenic acute respiratory distress syndrome, 1 respiratory tract infection and 1 pyelonephritis). Further surgery was necessary in 4 cases: for haemorrhage and one episode of digestive tract haemorrhage. There were no additional deaths, coronary events nor haemorrhage at the end of an average follow-up of 15 +/- 6 months. The results of this combined strategy are encouraging in this population and merit further evaluation in a prospective study.

Prognostic value of left atrial reservoir function in patients with severe aortic stenosis: a 2D speckle-tracking echocardiographic study.

AIMS: The aim of this article is to assess the left atrial (LA) reservoir function in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and to evaluate its impact on the recurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). METHODS AND RESULTS: About 128 patients (mean age 79 ± 9 years) with severe AS were included in the study. Global peak LA strain (PLAS) measured by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) during left ventricular (LV) systole represented the LA reservoir function. Overall death, hospitalization for cardiac cause, and worsening heart failure were defined as MACEs. With respect to the values observed in a control group of 20 healthy patients, PLAS resulted significantly reduced in AS. According to the multivariate linear regression analysis, LV global longitudinal strain, mitral E/e' ratio, and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) were the best correlates to PLAS. During follow-up, the predefined MACEs occurred in 39 patients. According to the multivariate Cox regression analysis, a PLAS <21% was a significant predictor of MACEs [hazard ratio (HR) 2.88, P = 0.04], as was coronary artery disease (HR 2.68, P = 0.004) and the New York Heart Association functional class (HR 2.08, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In patients with severe AS, a global PLAS <21% is an independent predictor of prognosis. Given the combined influence of LV diastolic and systolic function and of LA performance on sPAP, the decline of PLAS might be considered a marker of global myocardial impairment in AS. Further studies are needed to confirm the critical role of LA relaxation in prognosis and to validate its relevance in routine clinical practice.

[Early non-obstructive thrombosis of mechanical mitral valve prostheses]. / Thromboses non obstructives précoces des prothèses valvulaires mitrales mécaniques. Traitement par association prolongée héparine-AVK.

Transoesophageal echocardiography has shown a high incidence on non-obstructive thrombosis after mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis. The unpredictable outcome and the period during which the complication arises make treatment difficult. The aim of this study was to assess the tolerance and efficacy of the association of long-term heparin and oral anticoagulation, as recommended in this indication. All patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis between June 1999 and July 2001 were systematically included and studied by transoesophageal echocardiography in the immediate postoperative period. Those with non-obstructive thrombosis at least 5 mm in size were treated by heparin and oral coagulation until the thrombus disappeared on transoesophageal echocardiography. One hundred and fourteen patients undergoing 120 mitral valve replacements (6 reoperations) underwent transoesophageal echocardiography and non-obstructive thrombi measuring at least 5 mm were found on 26 occasions (21.7%). The association of heparin and oral coagulation was maintained for 7 to 115 days (average 20 days). No thromboembolic or haemorrhagic complications and no deaths were observed during this period. Two patients were treated with danaparoid and oral anticoagulation because of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia before the diagnosis. None of the patients died during follow-up (average 49 months); there were 4 recurrent non-obstructive thromboses, three of which were complicated by thromboembolic events with no sequellae in the first 8 months, again treated effectively with the association of heparin and oral anticoagulants; two cerebral embolic events without sequellae were observed without a demonstrable non-obstructive thrombus on transoesophageal echocardiography. The authors conclude that the association of heparin and oral anticoagulants seems well tolerated and effective in this small population and this would justify a large scale clinical trial.

HLA and Graves' disease: an association with HLA-DRw3.

HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens were tested by a standard lymphocyte microcytotoxicity technique in 86 Caucasians patients from western France with Graves' disease, and the data were compared with findings in 356 healthy controls. For HLA-DR antigen typing performed by lymphocyte microcytotoxicity testing using a long incubation time, the data were compared to findings in 100 healthy controls. An increase was found in the frequency of HLA-DRw3 [51.16% of patients vs. 20% of controls, corrected P (Pc) < 0.0003; relative risk (rr), 4.19) associated with an increased frequency of HLA-B8 (44.19% of patients vs. 22.47% of controls; Pc < 0.001; rr, 2.73) and HLA-A1 (40.7% of patients vs. 28.93% of controls; Pc < 0.03; rr, 1.71). In contrast, a diminished frequency was found for HLA-B12 (12.79% vs. 31.74%; Pc < 0.01). The antigen combination B8-DRw3 was noted in 37 of the 86 Graves' disease patients compared with 13 of 100 controls (Pc < 0.00003). No association was observed between HLA antigens and the different manifestations of the disease, such as the presence of goiter and/or exophthalmos, or the severity of clinical or biochemical signs. The present findings confirm the reported increase in the frequency of HLA-B8 in patients with Graves' disease. The most striking finding was the prevalence of HLA-DRw3, which, together with recent reports on lymphocyte-defined D locus determinants pointing to an increase frequency of HLA-Dw3, suggests that the gene or genes conferring susceptibility to Graves' disease may be located close to the HLA-D (DR) region of the sixth chromosome.

Cancer of the kidney invading the vena cava and heart. Results after 11 years of treatment.

Between October, 1973, and October, 1983, 18 patients with cancer of the kidney or adrenal gland that had invaded the vena cava, and in 11 cases had reached the heart, were operated on by seven surgical teams. The surgical excision in all patients was performed with extracorporeal circulation, circulatory arrest and deep hypothermia. No deaths occurred. If there are no detectable metastases before operation, the 5 year survival rate is 75% as compared to 6 months with medical treatment. This clinical situation is not uncommon, as 3% to 10% of cancers of the kidney invade the inferior vena cava and 40% of them reach the heart. The possibility of curing the cancers with minimal operative risk should prompt a systematic search for venous invasion with any cancer of the kidney.

Aortic Carpentier-Edwards supraannular porcine bioprosthesis: a 12-year experience.

BACKGROUND: After 35 years of cardiac valve replacement, the ideal substitute remains to be found. Homografts are considered best but, due to their scarcity, cannot meet the need of valve replacement. Artificial valves (mechanical or biological) remain the most commonly used but controversy is still present as to the better choice. We tested the Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthesis for its efficacy in valve replacement operations. METHODS: From 1983 to 1995, 1,108 consecutive patients had an isolated aortic valve replacement with a porcine Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthesis, model 2650 supraannular valve. Mean age was 73.8+/-8.3 years. Aortic stenosis was the most common lesion (1,049 patients, 94.7%). The follow-up of 980 operative survivors was 96% complete and represented a total of 4,735 patient-years (maximum, 13.8 years; mean, 4 years and 10 months). RESULTS: Actuarial survival including operative mortality (128 patients, 11.6%) was 43.6%+/-2.3% at 10 years and 27.3%+/-3.3% at 12 years and, at that time, was not statistically different from those of the normal French population matched for age and sex. Structural deterioration of the valve was observed in 27 patients, an actuarial freedom of 94.2%+/-1.5% at 10 years and 83.8%+/-4.5% at 12 years. Hazard function revealed a stable and low risk of structural deterioration until 10 years and significantly increased risk after that. Young age was found to be an increasing risk factor of deterioration. Reoperation for valve-related complications was necessary in 30 patients, an actuarial freedom of 94.5%+/-1.4% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The Carpentier-Edwards porcine supraannular valve affords a good durability up to 10 years, with a low rate of reoperation. The risk of structural deterioration decreases with older age. It is our valve of choice in elderly patients.

Aortic valve replacement in the elderly: bioprosthesis or mechanical valve?

BACKGROUND: With increased life expectancy, valve operations are more and more common in elderly patients. The choice of valve substitute-mechanical valve or bioprosthesis-remains debated. METHODS: Two groups of patients of the same age (69, 70, and 71 years) with isolated aortic valve replacement (mechanical 240, bioprostheses 289) were compared for mortality, morbidity, and valve-related complications. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in survival, valve-related mortality, valve endocarditis, and thromboembolism. Mechanical valve had more bleeding events; bioprostheses had more structural deterioration, reoperation, and valve-related morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: To avoid reoperations in octogenarians, the 10-year durability of current bioprostheses should be matched with the life expectancy of the particular patient. Bioprostheses should be used after 74 years in men and 78 years in women.

Carpentier-Edwards supraannular porcine bioprosthesis in aortic position: 16-year experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term results of aortic valve replacement with the Carpentier-Edwards supraannular porcine bioprosthesis. METHODS: A total of 278 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between January 1983 and December 1986 were reviewed. Mean age was 69.4+/-11.0 years (range 24 to 90 years). RESULTS: The operative mortality was 8.6% (24 patients). The total follow-up was 2367.1 years (mean 9.3+/-4.3 years, maximum 15.5). The late mortality rate was 6.8%/patient-year (162 patients) and the overall survival at 15 years was 26.5%+/-3.6%. Structural valve deterioration (SVD) occurred in 19 patients (linearized rate 0.8%/ patient-year). The mean time to onset of deterioration was 10.9+/-2.9 years. This time was independent of the age at the time of implantation. The freedom from SVD at 10, 12, and 15 years for patients aged less than 60 was respectively 87.6%+/-6.8%, 77.8%+/-8.9%, and 44.2%+/-12.9% (linearized rate 3.3%/patient-year). For patients aged 61 to 70 years, freedom from SVD was, respectively, 100%, 97.3%+/-2.1%, and 80.8%+/-8.3% (linearized rate 0.63% patient-year). For patients older than 70 years, it was respectively 99.1%+/-0.9%, 95.6%+/-2.6%, and 93.3%+/-3.3% (linearized rate 0.31%/patient-year). No significant difference was observed below the age of 60 years (< or =50 vs 51 to 60 years) or in the older subgroups (61 to 70 years, vs >70 years). CONCLUSIONS: The Carpentier-Edwards supraannular bioprosthesis in aortic position provides low rate of structural valve deterioration at 15 years in patients aged more than 60 years at the time of implantation. The mean time to onset of SVD is independent of the subject's age at the time of implantation. After 60 years, the risk of deterioration is low and does not present any significant variation. The Carpentier-Edwards supraannular bioprosthesis can reliably be used for aortic valve replacement in patients over the age of 60 years because, beyond this age, SVD is observed much more rarely.

Multicenter randomized evaluation of a nutritional education software in obese patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of the nutritional education software, Nutri-Expert, in the management of obese adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of obese patients were followed up over one year in a randomized study: the first group received close traditional management (seven nutritional visits over the year, with physicians and dietitians conjointly) and the second one also used at home by Minitel the Nutri-Expert system. 557 patients were enrolled in the study by 16 French centers of diabetology and nutrition. Body mass index (BMI), tests of dietetic knowledge, dietary records and centralized biological measurements were assessed at inclusion, 6 and 12 months. 341 patients were evaluable at the end of the year. RESULTS: The group using Nutri-Expert scored significantly better in the tests of dietetic knowledge than the control group. For all patients, nutritional education led to a significant improvement in BMI, dietary records and biological measurements, without significant difference between the two groups. Five years after the end of the study, the weight of 148 patients was recorded; mean BMI was significantly lower than the initial value but there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In the management of obese patients, Nutri-Expert system has a role to play in reinforcing nutritional knowledge; if regular follow-up is not possible, or if a large series of obese patients is to be treated, Nutri-Expert could partly replace traditional management, for example between visits.

Red blood cell polyamine level changes following heart transplantation in man.

Follow-up of orthotopic heart transplanted patients has revealed the existence of abnormally high red blood cell (RBC) spermidine (Spd) levels during the first two months after surgical procedure (A-period). From the third month after heart transplantation (B-period), RBC Spd concentrations went back to normal values in early cardiac rejection (ECR) patients. During A- and B-periods, significantly higher Spd levels and Spd/Spm ratios were observed in late cardiac rejecting (LCR) patients than in ECR ones. The lack of a direct relationship between the histological grade of rejection and RBC Spd levels leads us to consider these polyamine blood levels as a new biological instrument in the diagnosis of heart rejection.

Echocardiographic assessment and preliminary clinical results after aortic valve replacement with the Medtronic Mosaic bioprosthesis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to examine prospectively the clinical performance and durability of the Medtronic Mosaic bioprosthesis, a stented porcine aortic valve that combines improvements in tissue preservation, notably net zero differential pressure fixation of the leaflets, with antimineralization treatment using 2-amino-oleic acid (AOA). METHODS: A total of 158 Mosaic valves was implanted; 152 in patients aged over 70 years, and six in patients aged <70 years with contraindications to anticoagulant therapy. Mean age was 73.7 years. All valves were implanted in the supraannular position. Thirty-two patients (20%) required concomitant procedures, including coronary revascularization, ascending aorta replacement and/or mitral annuloplasty. Postoperative anticoagulation (heparin) was prescribed for ten days, followed by antiplatelet therapy. No long-term oral anticoagulants were prescribed, except in some patients with atrial fibrillation. The follow up included routine clinical and blood work-up, and echocardiography at six months and one year after surgery. RESULTS: There were seven early (0-30 days) and five late deaths (>30 days). One death was caused by a hemorrhagic stroke at three months in a patient without anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. No thromboembolic complications or structural valve deterioration were observed during follow up. At two years, freedom from endocarditis and reoperation was each 99.6%. NYHA class was excellent, with 98% of patients in class I or II at one year. Patient survival was 92% at two years. Hemodynamically, the valve was performing well, with mean systolic gradients of 13.6, 13.2, 12.6 and 9.6 mmHg for the 21, 23, 25 and 27 mm valves, respectively. There was no evidence of structural valve deterioration. CONCLUSION: Long-term evaluations are mandatory to confirm the durability of any new bioprosthetic valve. Satisfactory early clinical and hemodynamic results with the new Mosaic bioprosthesis warrant its continued implantation in the aortic position for patients over the age of 70 years.

Structural durability in Carpentier Edwards Standard bioprosthesis in the mitral position: a 20-year experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Few long-term data are available on the Carpentier-Edwards Standard bioprosthesis in the mitral position. As for other bioprostheses, patient age at the time of implant is the main risk factor for structural deterioration, but no published report has analyzed the life-span of these bioprostheses with respect to this parameter. METHODS: A series of 139 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement with the Carpentier-Edwards Standard bioprosthesis between 1978 and 1987 was reviewed. Mean age at implant was 59.6+/-14.7 years (range: 17-79 years). Follow up was 98.4% complete; total follow up was 1,078.7 patient-years (pt-yr) (mean 8.4+/-4.1 years). Mean follow up in the subgroup of patients alive at the time of the survey was 10.4+/-3.4 years. RESULTS: Structural valve deterioration (SVD) occurred in 30 patients, with mean time to onset of deterioration 9.0+/-2.7 years (median 8.7 years). This time was independent of age at the time of implantation. Analysis by age group (< or =35, 36-50, 51-60, 61-65, 66-70, >70 years) showed deterioration to be more frequent in younger subjects (linear rates 7.9, 6.0, 3.3, 2.4, 0.6 and 0.4% pt-yr, respectively). Over the age of 65 years, the risk of SVD no longer varied with age, and was a rare complication. CONCLUSION: The mean time to onset of SVD was independent of patient age at the time of implant. After 65 years, the risk of SVD was low, without any significant variation. The Carpentier-Edwards Standard bioprosthesis may be used in the mitral position in subjects aged over 65 years, and with a low risk of deterioration.

Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis in 200 consecutive octogenarians.

From 1978 to 1992, 200 consecutive patients aged between 80 and 90 years had aortic valve replacement for calcified aortic stenosis. Valve replacement was isolated in 187 cases (93.5%), and it was in combination with coronary bypass (n = 12; 6%), mitral valve replacement (n = 1; 0.5%) or surgery of the ascending aorta (n = 4; 2%). These 200 octogenarians represented 7.4% of the 2716 patients operated for aortic stenosis during the study period. One hundred and forty-eight of them (74%) were in NYHA class III or IV. Operative mortality was 11.5% (23 deaths) and the mean duration of hospitalization was 12.7 +/- 4.83 days. After discharge, all 177 surviving patients were followed up for a mean period of 2.8 +/- 2.1 years (range one month to 10.6 years). There have been 49 deaths during the follow up. At the end of the follow up, 127 of the 128 survivors (98.6) were in NYHA classes I or II. Actuarial survival at one, three and five years was 81.7%, 74.8% and 57.14% respectively, which is equivalent to the life expectancy for subjects of the same age without aortic stenosis. It is suggested that despite the increased, yet acceptable, operative risk, valve replacement in octogenarians is justified due to its beneficial effect on life expectancy and quality of life.

Prospective evaluation of coronary arteries: influence on operative risk in coronary artery surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary angiography data included in the analysis of operative mortality after coronary artery surgery are generally limited to left main coronary artery stenosis and classification into one-, two- or three-vessel disease, but the role of stenoses and quality of distal runoff on each main coronary artery have never been analysed. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of coronary artery status (stenoses and distal runoff) on operative mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. METHODS: Stenoses of the five main coronary arteries and their distal runoff were prospectively evaluated in a series of 2461 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery surgery. These angiographic variables were included in analysis of operative mortality in combination with conventional preoperative data. RESULTS: Univariate analysis founded 21 preoperative variables being significant: age >70, body surface area <1.8 m2, arterial disease of lower limbs, history of peptic ulcer, CCS class IV angina, unstable angina, post-infarction unstable angina, congestive heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, urgency, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump, previous myocardial infarction, previous cardiac surgery, previous coronary bypass graft, presence of significant stenosis on the left main coronary artery or the circumflex marginal branch or the distal circumflex artery or the right coronary artery, absence of significant stenosis on the left anterior descending artery, impaired distal runoff on the left anterior descending artery or the circumflex marginal branch (for all, P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified poor quality distal runoff in the left anterior descending artery and circumflex marginal branch as independent risk factor (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.04, respectively), while left main coronary artery stenosis was not. This lesion appears to be a significant risk factor only in a small subgroup of patients with CCS class IV angina. Other independent risk factors were CCS class IV angina, previous cardiac surgery, body surface area <1.8 m2, diabetes mellitus, age <70, history of peptic ulcer, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. Impaired distal runoff or the presence of stenoses on the diagonal branch, right coronary artery, or distal circumflex artery does not significantly influence the operative mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of distal runoff of the most frequently grafted vessels is a significant risk factor for operative mortality in coronary artery surgery. Left main coronary artery stenosis was not identified as a risk factor when these angiographic variables were included in the analysis. Functional status remains the most powerful predictive factor.

Feasibility of the utilisation of the right internal thoracic artery in the transverse sinus in off pump coronary revascularisation: early angiographic results.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the feasibility of beating heart coronary surgery and to angiographically assess complete revascularisations with routine use of the two internal thoracic arteries (ITA), with the right ITA pedicled and placed through the transverse sinus. The authors report the results of their initial experience of coronary surgery without CPB, which began in December 1998. METHODS: From December 1998 to October 1999, 50 patients underwent non-urgent beating heart coronary revascularisation via a median sternotomy with the 2 ITA. Stabilization of the anastomotic site was ensured by the Octopus stabilizer 1 then 2. A troponin Ic assay was systematically performed in the initial postoperative period. With the patient's consent, postoperative angiography was performed before discharge. RESULTS: The mean number of anastomoses was 2.5+/-0.6 per patient (range: 2-4). Distal anastomoses by arterial grafts were performed in 87% of cases. In one case, the right ITA could not be kept pedicled and tunnelled in the transverse sinus and a Y graft onto the left ITA had to be performed. Left anterior descending-diagonal sequential bypass with the left ITA was performed in seven patients (14%). There was no operative mortality. One patient developed postoperative myocardial infarction. Follow-up angiography was performed in 42 cases (84%), with 104 anastomoses reviewed (85%). The patency rate for all anastomoses was 98.1%, with 90.4% of excellent results. The patency rate of the right ITA was 100%, with 90.5% of excellent results. CONCLUSIONS: Beating heart coronary surgery allows revascularisation of all coronary territories. This technique is not an obstacle to the use of the pedicled right ITA tunnelled in the transverse sinus. It is not associated with an increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, and the early follow-up angiographic results are excellent.