A new treatment modality for the treatment of unligated thoracic side branch of left internal mammary artery: Underexpanded stent

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The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is often preferred in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). LIMA has additional features such as less fenestration in the endothelial layer, less intercellular permeability, anti-thrombotic activity, rapid lipolysis, and less lipid synthesis, resulting in an excellent long-term patency rate. LIMA side branches or anatomical variations that are not ligated intraoperatively may cause coronary ischemia in the postoperative period. Although various treatment modalities such as coiling, vascular plug embolization, and surgical ligation have been described in treating LIMA side branches, no studies show the superiority of one treatment modality over another. In this case, the advantages, disadvantages, and critical points affecting the success of unligated LIMA side branches treatment methods were discussed.