Bypass using Mammary Artery?

[Mark C.]

Anyone have a bypass done using the mammary artery? When I had my Cath the surgeon noted what he referred to as a "filling defect" in the distal of the LAD artery. He said all other areas were large and completely open except this one area which still showed blood getting by, but the "filling defect" was evident.

They're assuming it's a fragment of calcium off of my valve, which has a massive amount of calcification according to my surgeon. He wasn't overly concerned as it appeared to be an old finding, blood was getting by, and it was at the very distal end of the artery and most of the nutrients are supplied to the heart by the proximal segments.

However, as a precaution they added a possible bypass of the area to my consent which my surgeon said he might do if it looks like it's needed or my surgery goes exceptionally well and the extended time would not increase the risks significantly.

I would definitely prefer to have it repaired while he's in there just to be on the safe side, but I'm hoping they can use the mammary artery to spare me a second surgical site. Anyone have any experiences with a mammary artery bypass? Guess no breastfeeding for me.

Mark

 

[csutherland]

Yes, Jerry had one bypass in conjunction with his AVR and they used a mammary artery. I guess it worked. He's alive & kicking almost 7 years later! I used to hear of problems related to taking an artery from the leg, but there were no problems related to using the mammary artery.

 

[Jkm7]

Bypasses done with mammary artery have the very best chance of remaining clear very long term. And, as you say, there is no secondary surgery site. Some CABG patients have more discomfort from a saphenous vein harvest than the chest incision. These days the harvests are usually done endoscopic but still sometimes hear of a very long leg incision.

 

[hensylee]

yes, it's a good option. wish they had used mine insteadof the saphenous vein in the leg, but guess the mammary one wasn't long enough. my whole leg from ankle into groin has 4 long scars.