The success of myocardial revascularization depends on the patency rate of conduits used for coronary bypass surgery. Among them radial artery is proposed as an alternative arterial graft with excellent long-term results and superior flow characteristic. The aim of this study was to assess the early results of the use of the radial artery as a conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods:

Between June 1998 and September 1999, radial artery was used for coronary revascularization in 65 patients. Before the radial artery was harvested, the flow or the ulnar arteries was controlled using noninvasive tests in these patients. 63 patients (96.92%) were male and 2 patients (3.08%) were female. Mean age was 49.12 ± 9.40 years (28 to 68 years). All patients had two or more diseased vessels and left main coronary artery stenosis was observed in 12 patients (18.46%). Full arterial revascularization was applied in 36 patients (55.39%), and multiple arterial revascularization with two arterial grafts and one venous graft was performed in 29 patients (44.61%). In 22 patients (33.84%) radial artery was anastomosed sequentially. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.03 ± 0.74 (ranged, 2 to 5).

Results:

Hospital mortality was observed in one patient (1.53%). The mean follow-up was 5.27 ± 4.5 months (1 to 18 months) and all patients were symptomless. There was no complication caused by the harvesting of radial arteries in 14 patients a control angiography was performed 3.14 ± 1.09 months (2 to 6 months) after coronary bypass surgery, and all anastomoses were found to be patent.

Conclusions:

Because the patency of radial artery is similar to internal mammarian artery, we suggest the use of radial artery as an associated arterial conduit to internal mammarian artery for full or multiple arterial myocardial revascularization.