Dikmengil Technique for Proximal Anastomosis of Saphenous Vein to Aorta Using Hegar Dilator Without Clamping

Manipulation of aorta, such as side clamping of the ascending aorta, is known as a possible cause of the increased incidence of perioperative cerebrovascular accidents during myocardial revascularization. We describe an easy and cheap alternative technique for proximal anastomosis of saphenous vein to aorta using a Hegar dilator without clamping in off-pump coronary artery bypass procedures. INTRODUCTION Manipulation of the aorta, such as side clamping of the ascending aorta, is known as a possible cause for the increased incidence of perioperative cerebrovascular accidents during myocardial revascularization.1 As a result, several devices were designed to reduce aortic manipulation during surgical myocardial revascularization.2 Here, we present an easy and cheap alternative technique for the proximal anastomosis of saphenous vein to aorta in offpump coronary artery bypass procedures. Ozeren-vol5no1 3/5/05 7:19 PM Page 174