Implantation in coronary circulation induces morphofunctional transformation of radial grafts from muscular to elastomuscular.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this research was to investigate the in vivo morphofunctional changes induced in the radial artery (RA) by its use as coronary artery bypass conduit by comparing the morphological features and vasoreactivity of the native RA versus the coronary RA graft in the same patient.


RESULTS
Ten years after surgery, 10 patients were submitted to intravascular ultrasound examination of the RA graft of the controlateral (in situ) RA and of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft and to vasoactive challenges with acetylcholine and serotonin. Quantitative angiographic assessment showed that the mean diameter of the RA coronary grafts was significantly larger than that of the in situ RA and of the ITA (2.89+/-0.40 mm RA grafts, 2.14+/-0.52 mm in situ RA, 2.25+/-0.53 mm ITA grafts; P<0.001). The in situ RA demonstrated a typical muscular architecture, whereas RA coronary grafts showed a clear reduction of the thickness of the medial layer and had a less well-defined muscular component of the media with interposition of elastic tissue. Serotonin endovascular infusion elicited a strong spastic reaction in in situ RAs; the same challenge induced only moderate constriction in RA and ITA coronary grafts.


CONCLUSIONS
Implantation in the coronary circulation leads to major anatomic and vasoreactive modifications of the RAs that tend to lose the morphofunctional features of a muscular conduit and assume those of an elastomuscular artery, such as the ITA.
Gaudino
Mario
M
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. mgaudino@tiscali
Prati
Francesco
F
Caradonna
Eugenio
E
Trani
Carlo
C
Burzotta
Francesco
F
Schiavoni
Giovanni
G
Glieca
Franco
F
Possati
Gianfederico
G
D000109:Acetylcholine; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007387:Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012701:Serotonin; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate; D000109:Acetylcholine