Is stealing still a crime? Comment on left internal mammary artery side branch intervention in the management of coronary steal syndrome following coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) angina has been attributed unligated thoracic side branches competing with LIMA-LAD flow. Case reports suggest thoracic branch occlusion can relieve angina. Phasic arterial blood flow and direct measurements argue against the existence of LIMA steal.