Background Anastomosis of the right gastroepiploic artery to vessels of the inferior wall of the heart can be performed using a transabdominal approach without sternotomy and without cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods From July 1999 to December 2004, 18 patients presenting with only right coronary artery disease were operated on by the transabdominal approach using a pedicled right gastroepiploic artery graft. In 14 patients, it was a redo operation. In all redo patients, a patent graft to the anterior wall was present. Median EuroSCORE was 5 (range 1–13). The right descending posterior artery was grafted in 10 patients, the right coronary artery in 8 patients. Results There was no hospital mortality and no conversion to sternotomy. Hospital morbidity consisted only of a right pleural hemothorax and a superficial wound infection. No blood transfusion was necessary in 16 (89%) patients. Hospital stay averaged 6 days. Follow-up is complete and averaged 2 years (range 0.5–5.5 years). There was no late mortality. Seventeen patients (94%) were asymptomatic. One patient who experienced return of angina 1 year after the procedure underwent a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the right coronary artery. Thirteen patients underwent a stress test at median follow-up of 14 months without signs of myocardial ischemia. Conclusions Off-pump coronary bypass grafting using a right gastroepiploic artery by the transabdominal approach is a safe and effective procedure with a low hospital morbidity and excellent follow-up. In redo operations, this technique excludes the risk of damaging patent grafts to the left coronary system.
How does the right gastroepiploic artery compare with the saphenous vein for revascularization of the right coronary artery?