Abstract
Background: Considering expected benefit of full arterial revascularization and known risks of bilateral mammary artery harvesting, radial artery may represent a proper alternative arterial graft. In this retrospective study we present mid-term results of our first 125 consecutive patients.
Methods: From August 1998 to December 2000 radial artery was harvested and used in 125 patients, their clinical status was evaluated after 2 years using questionnaire, in 43 of them (34.4 %) coronary angiography was performed.
Results: 92 % of all patients were males, average age was 56 +- 7.2 years. Altogether 138 coronary anastomoses with radial artery were performed (1-3 per patient). After 2 years, 95 % of patients considered their state of health as normal or improved comparing to preoperative clinical state. 31 % of patients complained of problems of operated arm, those problems were usually permanent. Coronary angiography after 3 years revealed radial artery patency rate of 64 %, left internal thoracic artery of 93.2 %, right internal thoracic artery of 84 % and saphenous vein of 86 %.
Conclusion: 2-year clinical results of revascularized patients are very good. Based on results of angiographic procedures we can conclude that in mid-term period of 3 years not all patients benefit from use of radial artery. This artery might be a suitable conduit for revascularization of occluded arteries or conduit for revascularization in patients with lack of saphenous vein.