The innominate artery as an inflow site in coronary reoperations without cardiopulmonary bypass

The innominate artery was used as an inflow site in 20 patients undergoing redo coronary operations without cardiopulmonary bypass. This technique was adopted when extensive adhesions and old patent grafts were present, to av oid dissection of the ascending aorta and eliminate the risk of graft injur y or embolization. This strategy considerably facilitated construction of p roximal anastomoses and was associated with favorable perioperative outcome s. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.