Premium
Routine Myocardial Revascularization with the Radial Artery: A Multicenter Experience
Author(s) -
Chen Ann M.,
Brodman Richard F.,
Frame Rosemary,
Graver L. Michael,
Tranbaugh Robert F.,
Banks Thomas,
Hoffman Darryl,
Palazzo Robert S.,
Kline Gary M.,
Stelzer Paul,
Harris Loren,
Sisto Donato,
Frymus Michael,
Frater Robert W.M.,
Furlong Patricia,
Wasserman Fred,
Cohen Bert
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of cardiac surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1540-8191
pISSN - 0886-0440
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8191.1998.tb01092.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radial artery , dysesthesia , revascularization , artery , forearm , myocardial revascularization , surgery , internal thoracic artery , cardiology , coronary artery bypass surgery , inferior epigastric artery , myocardial infarction , bypass grafting
A bstractBackground: Current literature documents use of the radial artery (RA) for myocardial revascularization only as an alternative conduit in cases where the saphenous veins have been previously harvested or are unsuitable for use. Large‐scale routine clinical use of the RA as the conduit of choice has not been reported. Methods : This prospective study evaluated the harvest of the RA from 933 patients and the subsequent use of the conduit as a preferred coronary artery bypass graft second only to the left internal thoracic artery in 930 of these patients. Results: Unilateral RA harvest was performed in 786 patients and 147 patients had bilateral RA harvest. A total of 1080 RAs were harvested; 214 (19.8%) originated from the dominant forearm. There was a mean of 3.30 ± 0.93 grafts per patient of which 2.43 ± 0.83 were arterial grafts. The mean number of RA grafts was 1.43 ± 0.53. Operative mortality was 2.3% with none due to the RA graft(s). There was no ischemia nor motor dysfunction in the operated hands. Thirty‐two (3.4%) patients experienced transient thenar dysesthesia that resolved in 1 day to 6 weeks. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that routine total or near total arterial myocardial revascularization may be achieved safely and effectively with the use of one or both RAs in conjunction with the internal thoracic artery.