Survival, LV function and angiographic RA patency
There were no deaths during the follow up period. All patients were doing well and no major cardiovascular events were recorded. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) assessed with transthoracic ECHO at 12-monthly follow-up was uniformly improved compared to preoperative status in both groups (55.5±9.8 vs 57.3±12.4, p=0.24).
Twelve months after surgery RA grafts were patent in 45 patients (90%) with 2 patients in ERAH and 3 patients in ORAH groups exhibiting significant (>50%) stenosis (p=n.s. between groups). The target coronary artery vessel in ERAH were the OM1 and the RCA and a stent inserted in both. In ORAH group the target vessel was the OM1 in one (managed with stent insertion in native OM) and the RCA in two patients, who were treated with stent insertion in the RA-to-RCA graft in one and conservatively in the other patient.