Unilateral Vineberg arterial graft with a patency of 30 years

Multiple arterial grafting for coronary revascularization: "A guide for the perplexed"

The surgical literature abounds with articles extolling the benefits of arterial grafting for patients with advanced coronary artery disease in need of surgical revascularization. However, examination of clinical performance demonstrates that extensive use of arterial grafting is highly selective and generally uncommon. Rather than to merely repeat multiple excellent recent literature reviews, the goal herein is to provide the reader with a guide to the evaluation of the current literature as well as to suggest fruitful areas for further research. More circumspect understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of our current knowledge base will not only help to explain the current apparent disparity between theory and practice but will hopefully inform future decision-making and patient care.

The history of arterial revascularization: from Kolesov to Tector and beyond

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the one of the most effective revascularization strategies for patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. Total arterial revascularization using one or both internal thoracic and radial arteries has been shown to improve early outcomes and reduce long-term cardiovascular morbidity. Although CABG has evolved from an experimental procedure in the early 1900's to become one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, there is still significant variation in grafting strategies amongst surgeons. We review the history and development of CABG with a particular emphasis on the early pioneers and the evolution of arterial grafting.

Vineberg operation: a review of the birth and impact of this surgical technique

The Vineberg operation was introduced by Arthur Vineberg in the early 1940s as an experimental model for revascularization of ischemic cardiac tissue in animal models with direct implantation of left internal mammary artery into ventricular myocardium. The first attempt in a human was performed in 1950, followed by 10,000 to 15,000 Vineberg operations completed in the 1950s and 1960s until the birth of coronary artery bypass grafting. We report a historical perspective, birth and impact of this surgical technique, and possible implications for the future of cardiology and cardiac surgery.