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BACKGROUND: This pilot study aimed to evaluate early outcomes of a composite graft constructed from two saphenous veins (SVs) with a single inflow source in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with an atherosclerotic ascending aorta. The analysis focused on prevention of embolic events and early graft patency. METHODS: The analysis included 17 patients who underwent CABG using the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), combined with a composite graft constructed from two saphenous veins (SVs) with a single inflow source. The SV composite graft was anastomosed to non-LAD coronary territories. RESULTS: Intraoperative flow and pulsatility index values of the SV grafts were satisfactory. No major complications, including new cerebrovascular embolic events, were observed. The early patency rate of SV anastomoses was 90%; all four occlusions among the total 40 anastomoses occurred in the Y-shaped composite graft. CONCLUSIONS: A composite graft constructed from two SVs with a single inflow source appears to reduce the risk of embolic events by minimizing manipulation of the atherosclerotic ascending aorta. However, the configuration of the proximal SV anastomoses may affect early graft patency. Specifically, the risk of early failure appears to be higher in the Y-shaped configuration than in the V-shaped configuration.
Shirakawa et al. (Mon,) studied this question.