Bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery grafting in 303 patients seventy years and older

Objectives: Higher patency rates of the internal thoracic artery have led myocardial revascularization with bilateral internal thoracic arteries to be a procedure designated primarily for young patients. Fewer leg wound complications and sternal collateral flow preservation with the skeletonizing dissection technique can make bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting attractive also for elderly patients. Methods: Between May 1996 and May 1998, 303 consecutive patients aged 70 years or older (mean age 75.5 years; range 70-92 years) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with double skeletonized internal thoracic arteries. Forty-four (14.5%) patients were 80 years or older, and 89 (28%) had diabetes. The mean number of grafts was 3.1 per patient (2-6). Results: Operative mortality was 2.6% (n = 8): it was higher for octogenarians (6.8%) than for younger patients (1.9%) (P = .06). The only significant preoperative predictors of early mortality were complicated percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (P = .03) and preoperative use of intraaortic balloon pumping (P = .03). Six patients (2%) had sternal wound infections for which chronic lung disease (P = .02) and emergency operation (P = .006) were the only significant predictors. Twenty-two (7.2%) late deaths occurred, and 1- and 3-year survivals were 93% and 90%, respectively. The 3-year survival of patients 80 years old or older was 92%. Conclusions: Bilateral grafting of the skeletonized internal thoracic artery carries relatively low morbidity and mortality in elderly patients and can be recommended for selected patients including octogenarians.