Preliminary Clinical Experience with the
Heartflo™ Anastomosis Device*

A clinical, prospective trial to evaluate a multi-suture anastomotic device (Heartflo^TM) is currently underway. This new surgical tool can be used during CABG to perform end-to-side or side-to-side coronary arteries anastomoses with interrupted suture technique. This reports our interim preliminary clinical experience. Methods: From February to November 2000, we attempted 15 anastomoses with the multi-suture anastomotic device (Heartflo) in 11 patients with coronary artery disease. Results: 7 males, 4 females, mean age 64 ± 3 yrs received 15 anastomoses with the device. The target vessels were: 8 RCA, 3 LAD, 4 OM. Mean coronary diameter was 2 ± 0.3 mm. Grafts used were 14 saphenous veins and 1 IMA. 13/15 anastomoses were completed with the device. 5/13 required 0 - 1 additional stitches versus 8/13 requiring more due to inappropriate tissue capture on the native coronary side. Average time was 17.7 ± 2 min. In 2/15 cases, the procedure was converted to a traditional handsaw anastomosis. Postoperative CK movement without Q-wave in the EKG was observed in 1/11 patients. Conclusions: This device is a reliable instrument that provides reproducible coronary anastomoses with interrupted suture technique, although it also requires additional measures to improve tissue capture and process of handling sutures before extensive clinical application.

Key words:

Vascular anastomosis - Coronary artery bypass

References

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1 Presented at the SSCTCV - Zurich, March 2001