European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 5, 326-329, Copyright © 1991 by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
PTCA of the left main stem following protective coronary artery bypass grafting
HJ Rupprecht, H Oelert, S Trautmann, T Pop, S Iversen, R Erbel and J Meyer
Second Medical Clinic, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, FRG.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in 14
patients with significant left main stem stenosis following protective
coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The procedure was successful in
13/14 patients (93%), achieving a decrease in mean diameter stenosis from
74% +/- 7% to 31% +/- 12% (P less than 0.01). Accordingly, the absolute
stenosis diameter increased from 0.9 mm +/- 0.3 mm to 2.4 mm +/- 0.5 mm (P
less than 0.01). Dissection of the left main stem artery and a transient
significant fall of blood pressure each occurred in one patient. No other
serious complications were noted. Eight of 13 patients (62%) with
successful PTCA underwent control angiography. Restenosis had occurred in 3
of 8 patients (38%) with total occlusion of the left main stem in 1
patient. All bypass grafts were found to be patent at follow-up. Clinical
evaluation in all 14 patients revealed no serious events (death, myocardial
infarction, repeat revascularization procedure) during a mean follow-up
period of 27 months (range 6-39 months). PTCA of the left main stem
following CABG can be considered a relatively safe and effective procedure
with a marked restenosis-rate but beyond that, an uncomplicated long-term
follow-up.