Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in insulin-treated diabetes

BackgroundWe sought to assess the risk and late outcome of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in eligible insulin-treated diabetic subsets.Methods147 insulin-treated diabetic patients undergoing arterial revascularization were grouped as: skeletonized bilateral internal thoracic artery (n = 83) or internal thoracic artery-radial artery (n = 64). Chronic lung disease or overweight and female constituted exclusion criteria for bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts.ResultsPatients who had bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts were younger and comprised fewer females. Left-sided bilateral internal thoracic artery configurations were predominantly applied. Despite mean hemoglobin A1c of 8.0% ± 1% (range, 7%–13.5%) respective rates of deep sternal infection in bilateral internal thoracic artery and radial artery patients were 1.2% and 0%; superficial wound infection occurred in 3.1% and 3.6%, respectively. One sternoplasty was performed. Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting did not corre...