Comparative evaluation of efficacy of intracoronary shunts in minimally invasive myocardial revascularization

: Intracoronary shunts (IS) are devices for maintaining distal coronary blood flow when placing anastomoses with coronary arteries. The use of IS ensures functional and electrical stability of myocardium during its revascularization on the working heart. There are reports of endothelial damage by IS leading to dysfunction of coronary shunts. This study compares 208 patients with and without IS. Results of surgery were evaluated during hospitalization period. The groups were matched for initial clinical and instrumental characteristics and the number of shunt placements. It was shown that minimally invasive myocardial revascularization with the use of IS when placing distal anastomoses has a number of advantages over similar surgery without IS, viz. smaller degree of intraoperative myocardial lesion, blood loss, and frequency of postoperative complications along with enhanced stability of intraoperative hemodynamics.