Reoperative "off-pump" circumflex revascularization via left thoracotomy: how to prevent graft kinking.

Reoperative circumflex revascularization can be performed through a left thoracotomy approach, with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. In such cases, establishing the appropriate length of coronary grafts connecting the descending thoracic aorta to one of the marginal branches of the circumflex coronary artery may be problematic. In fact, if these grafts are too long they may kink, whereas if left too short they may be injured by respiratory excursions of the left lower lobe of the lung. In this report we describe a technique that can prevent these potential complications.