A new mechanical connector for distal coronary artery anastomoses in coronary artery bypass grafting: A randomized, controlled study

Objective: A new mechanical anastomotic device was evaluated, aiming at its future use in minimally invasive techniques or limited access surgery in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Between April and December 2002, a total of 60 patients scheduled for elective multivessel bypass grafting were randomly assigned. One vein graft-coronary artery anastomosis per patient was either performed with the St Jude Medical ATG coronary connector system (n = 30; St Jude Medical Inc, St Paul, Minn) or hand sewn (n = 30). Selective coronary angiography or coronary magnetic resonance imaging of the studied graft and vessel was included in the 6-month follow-up. Results: Twenty-eight of the connectors were successfully implanted. Two patients were excluded from the study because of conversion to hand-sewn anastomoses. Six connector-made anastomoses were bleeding at the anastomotic site. At the time of follow-up (190 postoperative days), all control anastomoses and grafts were patent, whereas 26% of the connector anastomoses were occluded. One graft in each group was patent but with stenosis. Conclusion: The St Jude Medical ATG coronary connector system for distal anastomoses represents a new concept for sutureless anastomoses in cardiac surgery. This randomized, controlled study shows lower graft patency for anastomoses performed with the connector than for hand-sewn control anastomoses. It illustrates the importance of controlled studies when evaluating new technical equipment in medicine.