INTRODUCTION
The use of bilateral arterial mammary (BIMA) compared to single internal
mammary artery (SIMA) in coronary revascularization has been suggested
to improve long-term survival by several observational studies and
meta-analysis. [1-10]
However, the only randomized control trial evaluating the long-term
survival with BIMA has not proved any survival benefit with the used of
BIMA. [11-15]
On the other hand, the routine use of BIMA is still limited by the
higher morbidity and mortality associated with the technique, especially
related to deep sternal wound infection (DSWI).[19,
20]
The objective of this study was to compare the operative and long-term
outcomes of patients using BIMA versus SIMA in the setting of off-pump
coronary bypass surgery (OPCAB) in a single institution; all cases were
undertaken by a single surgeon with experience in OPCAB surgery (over
1500 cases) whose default approach to surgical coronary
revascularization is OPCAB.