title: Composite Y internal thoracic artery-saphenous vein grafts: short-term angiographic results and vasoreactive profile.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The angiographic patency of composite Y internal thoracic artery-saphenous vein grafts has not been investigated in detail.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients who received composite Y internal thoracic artery-saphenous vein grafts had control angiography and vasoactive challenges with serotonin, acetylcholine, and isosorbide dinitrate at a mean of 2.5 +/- 1.2 years after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The perfect patency rate of composite Y internal thoracic artery-saphenous vein grafts was 72% (18/25). The distal portion of the internal thoracic artery was stringed in 4 patients and occluded in 2. The saphenous branch of the composite Y internal thoracic artery-saphenous vein grafts was found patent in all patients except 1. No failures were reported in the proximal tract of the internal thoracic artery. The distal tract of the internal thoracic artery showed reduced capacity of endothelium-mediated relaxation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The short-term patency of composite Y internal thoracic artery-saphenous vein grafts is suboptimal and markedly influenced by distal runoff and native flow competition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. mgaudino@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaudino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alessandrini
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pragliola
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Luciani
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trani
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burzotta
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Girola
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nasso
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guarini
authors.forename: Gianfederico
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Possati
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology