title: Internal thoracic artery: anatomical and biological characteristics revisited.
abstract: The left internal thoracic artery has become the conduit of choice for coronary artery bypass grafting, due to its superior patency rates at 10 or more years with little or no evidence of atherosclerotic changes. Recent evidence indicates that a second internal thoracic artery graft provides improved results relative to overall survival and major cardiac and cerebrovascular event-free survival, and reduces the need for repeat revascularization. However, the routine use of bilateral internal thoracic arteries is limited due to a perceived higher incidence of deep sternal wound infection. The surgical anatomy, collateral blood supply to the sternum, and biological characteristics of internal thoracic artery conduits are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Star Hospitals, Hyderabad, India sajjalr@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Lokeswara Rao
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Sajja
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Star Hospitals, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: Gopichand
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mannam
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007387:Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency
keywords: Coronary artery bypass; Internal mammary-coronary artery anastomosis; mammary arteries; myocardial revascularization; surgical wound infection