Minimally invasive thoracotomy for myocardial revascularisation. A study of 32 cases.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the advantages offered by a myocardial revascularisation technique proposed by Kolessov in 1967: minimally invasive thoracotomy for myocardial revascularisation. The aim was to assess its short and medium-term benefits. During the course of the 1980s, the problems linked to extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and the contraindications for traditional myocardial revascularisation led to a renewed popularity of "beating heart" revascularisation techniques.

Methods: The largest and most extensive series of patients in the literature undergoing myocardial revascularisation during left mini-thoracotomy was reported by Calafiore et al. In this study we report the series treated by our centre which, albeit involving only 32 cases, obtained good results in the short and medium term. This surgical procedure can only be applied to patients presenting monovasal obstructive coronary disease affecting the anterior interventricular artery (IVA) which must not present small calibre, calcified walls or a lateralised or intramyocardial anatomic position.

Results: Invasive and non-invasive instrumental tests carried out to control the distal anastomoses of the left internal mammary artery (IMA) did not reveal angulations and/or stenosing tractions before the anastomosis of IMA to a significant extent also for treatment, when isolating IMA, able to obtain the longest possible length and the best mobility. No infection of surgical wounds was reported postoperatively, as sometimes occurs in median longitudinal sternotomy.

Conclusions: The 2-year follow-up showed the resolution of angina in 100% of the patients studied, as well as a satisfactory and rapid renewal of social relations.