Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2004;12:236-238
© 2004 Asia Publishing EXchange Ltd
Early Results and Problems with St. Jude Medical Symmetry Bypass System in Japan
Hideki Kitamura, MD,
Hitoshi Okabayashi, PhD,
Michiya Hanyu, PhD,
Jota Nakano, MD,
Satoshi Kono, PhD,
Takuya Nomoto, PhD,
Atsushi Nagasawa, MD,
Hisashi Sakaguchi, MD,
Hiroyuki Johno, MD,
Takehiko Matsuo, MD
Cardiovascular Surgery, Kokura Memorial Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
For reprint information contact: Hideki Kitamura, MD Tel: 81 93 921 2231 Fax: 81 93 921 8497 Email: k-hideki{at}sc4.so-net.ne.jp Cardiovascular Surgery, Kokura Memorial Hospital, Kifunemachi 1-1, Kokurakitaku, Kitakyusyu City, Fukuoka 802–8555, Japan.
The early results of coronary artery grafting with an aortic connector system were assessed in Japanese patients. From May 2002 through April 2003, 24 consecutive patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass using an aortic connector system. Another patient was excluded because the saphenous vein was insufficient for the smallest available aortic connector system. Saphenous veins were harvested from the thigh in 17 (70.8%) patients, and from the lower leg in 7. The size of the aortic connector system was 4.5–5.0 mm in 19 (79.2%) patients. Intraoperative epiaortic echo indicated that a side-clamp was contraindicated in 15 cases. Hemostasis was instantaneous in all patients. There were no hospital deaths and no neurologic morbidity. Pre-discharge angiography revealed 100% patency of the anastomoses. Use of the aortic connector system demonstrated excellent early results with low neurologic morbidity even when employed in the context of an atheromatous ascending aorta. However, smaller sizes of the device are required for some Japanese patients.
Copyright © 2004 by the Asia Publishing EXchange Ltd.
