The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 81, 428-432, Copyright © 1981 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Simultaneous revascularization of coronary and vertebral arteries
JM Moran, J Mulet and R Nemickas
Simultaneous vertebral artery and coronary artery bypass are reported in a
patient with unstable angina who exhibited signs and symptoms of
vertebrobasilar insufficiency while awaiting myocardial revascularization.
The indications and various technical options for vertebral artery bypass
are reviewed, and the techniques applied in this case are described.
Observations on coronary and vertebral vein graft flow, with and without
intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, are presented. Late patency of the
aortovertebral vein graft has been documented, and the patient has been
free from symptoms of vertebrobasilar and coronary insufficiency for 5
years.