Inferior T Hemisternotomy After Previous Bypass Grafting With the In Situ RITA in Front of the Aorta

Aortic valvular surgery is often challenging in patients with coronary artery bypass (CABG) using in situ right internal thoracic artery (RITA) crossing in front of the aorta to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Full sternotomy and aortic dissection result sometimes in graft injury and subsequent myocardial ischemia. The benefit of an inferior T hemisternotomy through the second intercostal space is discussed. The grafts are neither dissected nor clamped, and the access to the aortic root is excellent. Graft lesions are avoided. The absence of graft clamping does not seem to impair the myocardial function.