BACKGROUND: The radial artery has become a popular conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery. However, limited information has been provided regarding the atherosclerotic nature of this artery, which may affect both the immediate intraoperative difficulties and long-term graft patency. METHODS: We examined intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of the radial artery in patients with coronary artery diseases. Cross sections of the radial artery were assessed using the following factors: lumen diameter, lumen area, vessel diameter, vessel area, plaque area, percent plaque area, and extent of calcium deposition. RESULTS: The IVUS images were obtained from radial arteries of 58 patients (47 men, average 67 +/- 9 years) during transradial procedures; ie, transradial coronary angiography and/or transradial coronary intervention. Mean luminal diameter was 3.28 +/- 0.69 mm and 3.00 +/- 0.70 mm at the proximal and distal segments, respectively, and 2.58 +/- 0.73 mm at the minimal lumen cross section. A percent plaque area greater than 50% was seen in five radial arteries (8.6%) whose average plaque length was 26.4 +/- 30.8 mm. Of these, one showed a plaque length greater than 50 mm, and another showed vessel caliber less than 2.0 mm. Five of 58 radial arteries (8.6%) showed calcium deposition, two of which showed diffuse calcification (> 50 mm). Thus, among 58 radial arteries, four (6.9%: one with diffuse arteriosclerosis, one small radial artery, two with diffuse calcification) were considered unsuitable for bypass conduit. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative evaluation of the radial artery is recommended in order to prevent unnecessary exploration of the forearm and to improve graft patency.
BACKGROUND: The radial artery has become a popular conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery. However, limited information has been provided regarding the atherosclerotic nature of this artery, which may affect both the immediate intraoperative difficulties and long-term graft patency. METHODS: We examined intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of the radial artery in patients with coronary artery diseases. Cross sections of the radial artery were assessed using the following factors: lumen diameter, lumen area, vessel diameter, vessel area, plaque area, percent plaque area, and extent of calcium deposition. RESULTS: The IVUS images were obtained from radial arteries of 58 patients (47 men, average 67 +/- 9 years) during transradial procedures; ie, transradial coronary angiography and/or transradial coronary intervention. Mean luminal diameter was 3.28 +/- 0.69 mm and 3.00 +/- 0.70 mm at the proximal and distal segments, respectively, and 2.58 +/- 0.73 mm at the minimal lumen cross section. A percent plaque area greater than 50% was seen in five radial arteries (8.6%) whose average plaque length was 26.4 +/- 30.8 mm. Of these, one showed a plaque length greater than 50 mm, and another showed vessel caliber less than 2.0 mm. Five of 58 radial arteries (8.6%) showed calcium deposition, two of which showed diffuse calcification (> 50 mm). Thus, among 58 radial arteries, four (6.9%: one with diffuse arteriosclerosis, one small radial artery, two with diffuse calcification) were considered unsuitable for bypass conduit. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative evaluation of the radial artery is recommended in order to prevent unnecessary exploration of the forearm and to improve graft patency.
Authors: Emile N Brown; Nicholas S Burris; Junyan Gu; Zachary N Kon; Patrick Laird; Seeta Kallam; Cha-Min Tang; Joseph M Schmitt; Robert S Poston Journal: J Biomed Opt Date: 2007 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 3.170
Authors: Cezar S Staniloae; Kanika P Mody; Kintur Sanghvi; Catalin Mindrescu; John T Coppola; Cristina R Antonescu; Sanjay Shah; Tejas Patel Journal: Vasc Health Risk Manag Date: 2009-06-29