Ten-year Echo-Doppler evaluation of forearm circulation following radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass grafting.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the chronic consequences of radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass surgery on the forearm circulation.


METHODS
Thirty-nine patients submitted to radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass were submitted to serial Echo-Doppler evaluation of the flow and morphology of the forearm arteries until 10 years follow-up.


RESULTS
The peak systolic velocity of the ulnar artery of the operated side was significantly higher than the control site. The intima-media thickness of the ulnar artery was always significantly higher on the operated side, and this difference reached statistical significance at 10 years follow-up. There was a significantly higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques in the ulnar artery (UA) of the operated versus control arm (11/39 vs 0/39; p=0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass surgery leads to a chronic increase in ulnar flow accompanied by increased intima-media thickness and accelerated atherosclerotic disease. These findings may have potentially important implications for surgical indications and patients management.
Gaudino
Mario
M
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. mguadino@tiscali.it
Glieca
Franco
F
Luciani
Nicola
N
Losasso
Gianfranca
G
Tondi
Paolo
P
Serricchio
Michele
M
Pola
Paolo
P
Possati
Gianfederico
G
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000503:physiopathology