Survival, LV function and angiographic RA patency
There were no deaths during the follow up period. All patients were
doing well and no major cardiovascular events were recorded. Left
ventricular ejection fraction (EF) assessed with transthoracic ECHO at
12-monthly follow-up was uniformly improved compared to preoperative
status in both groups (55.5±9.8 vs 57.3±12.4, p=0.24).
Twelve months after surgery RA grafts were patent in 45 patients (90%)
with 2 patients in ERAH and 3 patients in ORAH groups exhibiting
significant (>50%) stenosis (p=n.s. between groups). The
target coronary artery vessel in ERAH were the OM1 and the RCA and a
stent inserted in both. In ORAH group the target vessel was the OM1 in
one (managed with stent insertion in native OM) and the RCA in two
patients, who were treated with stent insertion in the RA-to-RCA graft
in one and conservatively in the other patient.