The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Competitive status of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting has stimulated an interest in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting is safe and effective with good early and midterm clinical results, especially with left internal mammary artery-to-left anterior descending coronary artery grafting via minithoracotomy. Regional cardiac wall immobilization of coronary artery target sites enhances the early graft patency in a predictable manner (96.2%), and this method should be an essential part of all minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass graft operations with left internal mammary artery-to-left anterior descending artery grafts via minithoracotomy. Further study is required to establish the long-term efficacy of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting and the treatment of coronary artery disease.
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Conventional reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass carries relatively high mortality and morbidity. ⋯ Reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass has acceptable early and midterm outcome, and should be considered a viable alternative for properly selected patients.
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We describe a device for coronary artery stabilization during minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting performed without cardiopulmonary bypass via a small (8 to 10 cm) left anterolateral thoracotomy. This device facilitates the anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending coronary artery on the beating heart. The device consists of a simple coronary stabilizer mounted on a wound spreader. We have used this device successfully in 35 primary minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting operations.
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Coronary artery bypass grafting has been based on cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial protection, and the median sternotomy. The recent concept of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting in selected patients has dramatically affected surgical management of coronary artery disease. Coronary artery bypass grafting of anterior coronary arteries with in situ internal mammary artery through a limited anterior thoracotomy is a procedure that is gaining acceptance. ⋯ In our experience minithoracotomy is a safe, simple, and minimally invasive procedure. Favorable cost/benefit ratio has been achieved owing to no early or late mortality and minimal early morbidity. Postoperative angiography and Doppler flow study revealed excellent predictive long-term results.
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The optimal management of patients with renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus remains unresolved. Traditional approaches have included resection with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Chemotherapy has played a minor role except for biotherapeutic agents used for metastatic disease. ⋯ Resection of an intracaval tumor thrombus arising from renal cell carcinoma can be performed safely and can result in prolonged survival even in the presence of metastatic disease. In our experience, extracorporeal circulatory support was required only when the tumor thrombus extended into the heart.