Neoangiogenesis connecting a left internal mammary artery proximal stump to an ischemic area of the heart after bypass occlusion

We present a patient who underwent triple coronary artery bypass grafting with two saphenous vein grafts and a free‐graft left IMA and suffered an acute myocardial infarction 6 weeks aft er surgery. Emergency coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the grafts and an amazing branch arising from the proximal stump of the surgically‐cut and clipped IMA, leading to the anterior wall of the heart, functionally creating an effective natural bypass, probably stimulated both by anterio r wall ischemia and interrupted flow within the proximal left IMA.
Source: Journal of Cardiac Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: CASE REPORT Source Type: research