Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting

Background. Standard options for the invasive management of proximal disease of the left anterior descending coronary artery include coronary artery bypass grafting with a left internal mammary artery and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Methods. We describe a surgical technique for bypass of the left anterior descending coronary artery with a left internal mammary artery without median sternotomy and without cardiopulmonary bypass. Thoracoscopy is used to harvest the internal mammary artery, whereas the mammary-coronary artery anastomosis is performed under direct vision through a limited anterior thoracotomy. Results. We have performed this procedure successfully in 3 patients with minimal morbidity and shortened hospital stay. Average operative time was 3 hours and postoperative hospital stay averaged less than 48 hours. Conclusions. Although experience is limited and follow-up is very short, with further experience, this less invasive surgical technique may become a viable option for the management of proximal left anterior descending disease.