title: Intraoperative catheterization of the left internal mammary artery via the left radial artery.
abstract: Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting involving anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending coronary artery has become popular in the last year. Critics of this technique infer lower graft patency rates and increased cardiac morbidity. Therefore a technique is described that allows intraoperative selective left internal mammary arteriography to be performed by the surgeon to ensure graft patency before leaving the operating room.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4354, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Elbeery
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Chitwood
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008323:Mammary Arteries; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D017534:Radial Artery; D014654:Vascular Patency