Does bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting increase surgical risk in diabetic patients?

Abstract

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine whether, with appropriate techniques, diabetic patients could benefit from the advantages of double internal thoracic artery (ITA) coronary bypass without an increased hospital risk.Methods. Between January 1990 and December 1996, 207 consecutive diabetic patients underwent coronary artery bypass graft operations. In 74 patients both arteries (bilateral ITA group) were used, whereas 133 patients received one ITA and vein grafts or vein grafts alone (nonbilateral group). Patients in the bilateral ITA group were younger (p < 0.0001), predominantly male (p < 0.0001), and were operated on more electively. The internal thoracic arteries were harvested by skeletonization without electrocautery, and strict glycemic control was pursued.Results. No death was observed in the bilateral ITA group, whereas 7 patients died in the nonbilateral ITA group (p < 0.05). Deep sternal wound infection was observed in 2 patients in the nonbilateral ITA group (1.5%) and in none of the bilateral ITA group (p = NS). There was no significant difference in the morbidity rate between the two groups except for greater blood losses in the bilateral ITA group.Conclusion. Double ITA coronary revascularization in young diabetic patients was performed without increased morbidity and mortality. The low rate of sternal wound infections may be related to ITA harvesting by a skeletonization technique, but larger studies are required to confirm these data.