15-YEAR TO 21-YEAR ANGIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL THORACIC ARTERY AS A BYPASS CONDUIT

Fifteen patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting with the left internal thoracic artery (2 also had in situ right internal thoracic artery grafts placed) underwent catheterization for recurrent angina 15 to 21 years later. Angiographic assessment revealed widely patent conduits without evidence of conduit atherosclerosis. Translocation of the internal thoracic artery to the coronary circulation does not appear to be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis of the conduit, and freedom from serious conduit atherosclerosis can be anticipated for at least 20 years.