Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002; 50(1): 1-4
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-20155
Original Cardiovascular
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Sutured Coronary Artery Grafting Utilizing the Heartflo™ Anastomosis Device -
First Clinical Experiences

S.  Martens, M.  Doss, A.  Moritz, G.  Wimmer-Greinecker
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Leipzig, Feb 18 - 21, 2001
Further Information

Publication History

May 28, 2001

Publication Date:
15 February 2002 (online)

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Summary

Background: The Heartflo™ device was developed to facilitate consistency in distal coronary anastomosis quality. The device automates the suturing process during the anastomosis procedure via simultaneous delivery of ten standard 7 - 0 polypropylene sutures through the graft and the coronary vessel wall. Methods: In 30 elective coronary artery bypass patients, one distal anastomosis was intentionally performed with the anastomosis device. Device success was stated if a patent anastomosis with a minimal flow of 50 ml/min resulted, additional stitches were counted if bleeding occurred. Results: 4 cases of device failure occurred in the first 5 patients. The subsequent patients were operated without any mechanical problems. In 16 patients (53 %), a patent anastomosis with a mean flow of 75 ± 6 ml/min using 1.7 ± 0.3 additional stitches was achieved. Anastomoses were completed in 19.0 ± 0.7 min; postoperative course was uneventful in all patients. Conclusions: We have shown that coronary anastomoses are feasible using the Heartflo™ device, representing a promising step on the way to automated coronary anastomoses. Its application is still limited by the size and tissue quality of the target vessel and difficult suture management during the anastomosis procedure.