Case Reports
Avulsion of the Left Internal Mammary Artery After Minimally Invasive Coronary Bypass

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-4975(96)01265-9Get rights and content

Abstract

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting is a relatively new procedure. An unusual complication occurred in a patient after a period of heavy lifting, namely, avulsion of the left internal mammary artery graft. He presented with a clinical picture of myocardial infarction and shock. Diagnostic work-up and surgical management are described.

Section snippets

Comment

During minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting, great care is taken to ensure adequate length and smooth course of the conduit. The LIMA pedicle is routinely sutured to the epicardium to prevent torsion about the anastomosis. The initial presentation of this patient was ischemia and infarction. We assumed that the LIMA had occluded due to technical problems, such as injury to the artery during dissection, obstruction of the distal anastomosis, or kinking of the graft. The mechanism

Cited by (0)

View full text
Copyright © 1997 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.