Arterial grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting: Biological characteristics, functional classification, and clinical choice

Various arterial grafts have been used for coronary artery bypass grafting, but a unanimous opinion on how to best use these grafts has not been formed. Arterial grafts are not uniform in their biological characteristics. Differences between the perioperative behavior of the grafts and their long-term patency may be related to different characteristics. These characteristics should be taken into account in the use of arterial grafts, some of which are subject to more active pharmacologic intervention during and after operation to obtain satisfactory results. Clinical choice of grafts must be based on the general condition of the patient, the biological characteristics of the graft, the anatomy of the coronary artery, the match between the coronary artery and the graft, and technical considerations, including antispastic management. (Ann Thorac Surg 1999;67:277-84) (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.