The radial artery: which place in coronary operation?
Previous long-term studies have shown unsatisfactory patency of saphenous vein grafts, compared with internal mammary artery grafts. Recently, the use of the radial artery as a coronary artery bypass graft has enjoyed a revival, on the basis of the belief that it will help improving long-term results of coronary operations. The recent report of encouraging 5-year patency rates, supports its continued use as a bypass graft. In this paper, we review the current knowledge about the radial artery as a bypass graft, with special emphasis on the clinical results.
Parolari
A
A
Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Milan, Italy. aparolari@cardiologicomonzino.it
Rubini
P
P
Alamanni
F
F
Cannata
A
A
Xin
W
W
Gherli
T
T
Polvani
G L
GL
Toscano
T
T
Zanobini
M
M
Biglioli
P
P
D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000637:transplantation*; D011859:Radiography; D013035:Spasm; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000637:transplantation; D014654:Vascular Patency