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.