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AIMS: To investigate clinical and angiographic outcomes after coronary surgery using total arterial revascularization (TAR). METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomized 331 patients with multivessel or isolated left main disease to TAR internal thoracic (ITA) and radial arteries vs. conventional revascularization (CR) using left ITA and vein grafts. The primary angiographic outcome was the patency index: number of patent grafts (<50% stenosed) divided by number of constructed grafts. One-year angiography was complete for 83% of patients. Mean patency index (+/-SD) was 87 +/- 22% in the TAR group and 88 +/- 18% in the conventional group (P = 0.52). In 72% of TAR patients and 67% of the conventional group, all grafts were patent (P = 0.45). Multiple imputation of missing angiographic data did not influence on results. Within 1 year, 37 (23%) TAR patients and 43 (25%) conventional group patients suffered cardiac events (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.70-1.69, P = 0.70). One patient (0.6%) in the TAR group and two (1.2%) in the conventional group died (P = 1.00). CONCLUSION: Within 1 year post-operatively, TAR seems at least as safe and effective as CR. Prolonged follow-up will reveal whether this is sustained or superior results of TAR can justify a more general use.
Damgaard et al. (Fri,) studied this question.