BACKGROUND: The radial artery was first used as a coronary graft by Carpentier and associates in 1973 but, due to the disappointing results, it was abandoned. In 1992 its revival coincided with the widespread use of calcium-channel blockers in cardiovascular surgery, in the belief they could prevent spasm. METHODS: From January 1993 to October 1995 we operated on 109 patients for myocardial revascularization employing the radial artery with two different surgical techniques: in 95 patients (group 1) it was "pretreated" by opening its fascia after a gentle hydrostatic dilation and then anastomosed to the aorta; in 14 patients (group 2) it was branched to another conduit. We had two operative deaths (1.82%). RESULTS: At a mean interval of 532.42 days 105 patients are still alive, 2 (1.86%) having died of abdominal tumors. Fifty-six patients (52.33%) underwent angiography at a mean interval of 334.42 days: the patency of the radial artery was 88.88% in group 1 and 62.50% in group 2. Indications and contraindications are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The radial artery is an easily manageable conduit whose early patency is very promising, although a longer follow-up is mandatory.
BACKGROUND: The radial artery was first used as a coronary graft by Carpentier and associates in 1973 but, due to the disappointing results, it was abandoned. In 1992 its revival coincided with the widespread use of calcium-channel blockers in cardiovascular surgery, in the belief they could prevent spasm. METHODS: From January 1993 to October 1995 we operated on 109 patients for myocardial revascularization employing the radial artery with two different surgical techniques: in 95 patients (group 1) it was "pretreated" by opening its fascia after a gentle hydrostatic dilation and then anastomosed to the aorta; in 14 patients (group 2) it was branched to another conduit. We had two operative deaths (1.82%). RESULTS: At a mean interval of 532.42 days 105 patients are still alive, 2 (1.86%) having died of abdominal tumors. Fifty-six patients (52.33%) underwent angiography at a mean interval of 334.42 days: the patency of the radial artery was 88.88% in group 1 and 62.50% in group 2. Indications and contraindications are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The radial artery is an easily manageable conduit whose early patency is very promising, although a longer follow-up is mandatory.