Arterial grafting: Techniques and conduits

The superior long-term patency and survival of the internal thoracic artery in coronary artery bypass grafting, compared with saphenous vein, established the internal thoracic artery as the conduit of choice for myocardial revascularization. Use of the internal thoracic artery has expanded, and the possibility of similar performance by other arteries has motivated surgeons to investigate alternative arterial conduits (eg, the gastroepiploic artery, inferior epigastric artery, and radial artery). Although these grafts have become more technically feasible and have shown benefits, more follow-up data are needed to determine the long-term patency, freedom from arteriosclerosis, and efficacy of alternative conduits. (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.