Ten-year Echo-Doppler evaluation of forearm circulation following radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass grafting

Objective: To investigate the chronic consequences of radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass surgery on the forearm circulation. Methods: Thirty-nine patients submitted to radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass were submitted to serial Echo-Doppler evaluation of the flow and morp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery 2006-01, Vol.29 (1), p.71-73
Main Authors: Gaudino, Mario, Glieca, Franco, Luciani, Nicola, Losasso, Gianfranca, Tondi, Paolo, Serricchio, Michele, Pola, Paolo, Possati, Gianfederico
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atherosclerosis
Blood Flow Velocity - physiology
Brachial Artery - physiopathology
Coronary Artery Bypass - methods
Coronary Artery Disease - physiopathology
Coronary Artery Disease - surgery
Echocardiography, Doppler - methods
Female
Forearm - blood supply
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Myocardial Revascularization - methods
Radial artery
Radial Artery - surgery
Radial Artery - transplantation
Regional Blood Flow - physiology
Treatment Outcome
Ulnar artery
Ulnar Artery - physiopathology
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Summary:Objective: To investigate the chronic consequences of radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass surgery on the forearm circulation. Methods: Thirty-nine patients submitted to radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass were submitted to serial Echo-Doppler evaluation of the flow and morphology of the forearm arteries until 10 years follow-up. Results: The peak systolic velocity of the ulnar artery of the operated side was significantly higher than the control site. The intima-media thickness of the ulnar artery was always significantly higher on the operated side, and this difference reached statistical significance at 10 years follow-up. There was a significantly higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques in the ulnar artery (UA) of the operated versus control arm (11/39 vs 0/39; p = 0.005). Conclusions: Radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass surgery leads to a chronic increase in ulnar flow accompanied by increased intima-media thickness and accelerated atherosclerotic disease. These findings may have potentially important implications for surgical indications and patients management.
ISSN:1010-7940
1873-734X
DOI:10.1016/j.ejcts.2005.10.042