Twenty-year fate of the radial artery graft.

It is well known that radial arteries (RA) are not the primary choice as coronary artery grafts. In this Research Highlight, we discuss the follow-up results of 629 radial artery grafts performed over 20 years. Focal stenosis occurred in 3% of RAs, while string signs were observed in 0.9%. Overall graft patency was 83%, but indication for angiographic assessment was driven by symptomatic presentation. Graft patency decreased exponentially during the first postoperative year, but patency rate declined at a linear rate with low attrition afterwards, suggesting a lack of radial graft disease. These results indicate relatively stable radial artery patency rates for up to 20 years.