title: The descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery is a good option in CABG with arterial grafts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery is an option for coronary artery bypass grafting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the early patency and adaptation of lumen diameter using multidetector computed angiotomography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients were selected to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting using the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery, the internal thoracic artery, and other grafts. Evaluations were carried out through high resolution computed tomography performed on the 7th and 90th postoperative day. Diameters of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery and the left internal thoracic artery were measured 3 cm before the distal anastomosis, in the middle portion, and 3 cm after the proximal anastomosis. Diameters were compared using paired t-test (P<0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery wDescending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery was used in 26 patients, as its use was not viable in six patients (18%). It was used as composite graft in all cases. The anterior descending branch was revascularized by the left internal thoracic artery in all cases. Patency rates of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery were 96% and 92%, respectively. No occlusions were observed in the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) and no ischemic events were observed in the descending branch of the lateral circumflex. Descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery increased the lumen diameter in the middle (P=0.001) and distal portions (P=0.006); the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) increased in the middle portion (P=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar to the left internal thoracic artery, the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery showed high patency rate and positive luminal adaptation. This early evaluation confirms the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery as a potential alternative for grafting. Due to anatomical variations, preoperative femoral angiographic evaluation appears to be mandatory.
authors.forename: Fábio Antonio
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Gaiotto
authors.forename: Caio B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Vianna
authors.forename: Fabio F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Busnardo
authors.forename: José R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Parga
authors.forename: Luis Alberto de Oliveira
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Dallan
authors.forename: Luis A M
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cesar
authors.forename: Noedir A G
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Stolf
authors.forename: Fabio B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Jatene
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000637:transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency