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• DOI: 10.1097/eja.0b013e3283527f6c
• Publication Date: 2012-04-03T14:15:51Z
• Authors: Mayte Ballester; Julio Llorens; Juan Martinez-Leon
• Keywords: Balloon catheter

Editor, We thank Tandon and Pandey1 for their interest in our study.2 would like to make the following comments regarding concerns about specific surgical points. First of all, we confirm did not have any incidence coronary sinus injury patient. Our group has a lot experience, over many years, retrograde myocardial protection with excellent results no complications.3,4 In study, used balloon retroplegia catheter blood retrieval purposes only. only inflated obtain samples according study protocol at three different time points,2 reducing possibility complications that most cases are due overinflation. Moreover, introduced through purse string lateral wall right atrium and, after each sample retrieval, placed tip cannula cavity avoiding possible damage sinus. When another was needed, repositioned under finger control entry sinus, as usually do purposes. Finally, use shunts conduct anastomosis is controversial issue. much experience off-pump artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, performing around 200 per year. The mean number grafts patient 3.1 shunts. agree Mack5 placement shunt can be cumbersome may native vessel endothelium,6 especially distal part vessel, causing early occlusion or late stenosis. Lucchetti et al.7 reported intracoronary beneficial during CABG patients an isolated left anterior descending lesion. They advised unstable angina ventricular dysfunction. Hangler al.8 insertion beating heart surgery leads severe endothelial denudation human arteries, therefore they recommend using selectively critical ischaemia technical difficulties result anatomical conditions. had these characteristics observe complication absence perfusion performance anastomosis. Acknowledgements There conflicts interest. None authors received financial support.