Composite Y internal thoracic artery-saphenous vein grafts: short-term angiographic results and vasoreactive profile.
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.
Gaudino
Mario
M
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. mgaudino@tiscali.it
Alessandrini
Francesco
F
Pragliola
Claudio
C
Luciani
Nicola
N
Trani
Carlo
C
Burzotta
Francesco
F
Girola
Fabiana
F
Nasso
Giuseppe
G
Guarini
Giovanni
G
Possati
Gianfederico
G
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