title: Use of a new diagnostic catheter for transradial internal mammary artery angiography early after minimally invasive coronary bypass.
abstract: We describe a new diagnostic catheter specifically designed for selective catheterization of the left internal mammary artery via the ipsilateral radial approach. We used this catheter to assess the patency of the distal mammary-left anterior descending coronary artery anastomosis in 30 consecutive patients early after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting. The new catheter design allowed easy and fast engagement of the left internal mammary artery leading to optimal vessel opacification in all cases. Angiography revealed graft problems in seven (23.3%) patients, two of whom required anastomosis revision, surgical in one case and with PTCA in the other. No LIMA injury occurred as a result of selective catheterization. Patients with functionally normal anastomosis were discharged on the same day of the diagnostic procedure.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, University of Milan, Centro Cardiologico "Monzino" IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cozzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antona
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montorsi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fabbiocchi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loaldi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Apostolo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Teruzzi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ravagnani
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grancini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trabattoni
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bartorelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography