Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass combined with abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Background. For simultaneously combined coronary artery bypass surgery with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, a relatively high opera tive mortality and morbidity have been reported. Methods. From February 1998 to December 1998, simultaneous minimally invasi ve direct coronary artery bypass combined with the AAA repair was performed for 4 patients (3 males, 1 female; mean age, 74 +/- 7 years). Three were h igh-risk patients: 2 were over 75 years of age, 2 had respiratory insuffici ency, and 1 had severe renal impairment. Results. There were no mortalities. The endotracheal tube was removed withi n approximately 12 hours, and the postoperative courses were uneventful. Du ring 4 +/- 4 months of follow-up, there was neither angina recurrence nor o ther morbidity. Conclusions. Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass combined with AAA repair was safe even for high-risk patients. (C) 1999 by The Society o f Thoracic Surgeons.