The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 48, 628-631, Copyright © 1989 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Experimental aortocoronary artery bypass grafting using a CO2 laser on the dog: acute experiment
S Nakata, CD Campbell and RL Replogle
Department of Surgery, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois.
This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of using laser tissue
welding in aortocoronary bypass operation. Simulated aortocoronary bypass
operations were performed on 10 dog hearts supported by extracorporeal
circulation. Distal anastomoses between internal mammary artery and
coronary artery were achieved using the laser technique, which includes
four stay sutures of 7-0 polypropylene and tissue welding between the stays
by the laser at a power level of 65 mW. Short-term luminal patency was 100%
without stenosis by angiography. Microscopy and histology showed that CO2
laser caused medial change resulting in fusion with preservation of normal
intimal morphology. The aortocoronary bypass operation using a CO2 laser is
technically feasible, and this technique may open up a new method for
patients with small peripheral coronary artery obstruction and for
pediatric patients with certain conditions (eg, Kawasaki disease).