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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1981; 29(3): 183-186
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1023473
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Complete Occlusion of the Left Main Coronary Artery: Report of Three Surgical Cases and Review of the Literature

M. Kawasuji, R. Hetzer, H. Oelert, H. G. Borst
  • Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Surgical Center, Hannover Medical School, West-Germany
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Publication History

1981

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Summary

Out of 75 consecutive patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) obstruction who underwent coronary revascularization between January and October 1980, 3 patients had total occlusion of the LMCA. All 3 patients were suffering from severe angina pectoris preoperatively. On cardiac catheterization they had shown extensive collaterals from the right coronary artery and relatively well-preserved left ventricular function. In addition to intercoronary anastomoses a relatively high extracoronary collateral blood flow was measured at operation.

Postoperatively the 3 patients remained free of angina (class I NYHA) at 5, 20 and 50 months after uneventful surgery.

It is concluded that patients with adequate intercoronary and extracoronary collaterals may well survive complete occlusion of the LMCA. Surgery appears to carry a low risk no greater than that involved in conservative treatment of LMCA stenosis and the postoperative clinical status of the patients continues to be satisfactory.

Key Words

Complete occlusion - Left main coronary artery

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