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Thoracodorsal artery as a free graft for coronary artery bypass grafting
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
Insights
The thoracodorsal artery can be prepared as a free graft for coronary artery bypass grafting when other arterial conduits are unavailable. This approach offers a viable alternative for myocardial revascularization, particularly in complex cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vascular Grafting
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Arterial conduits like mammary and radial arteries are standard for myocardial revascularization.
- Alternative arterial grafts are crucial when conventional options are unavailable.
Observation:
- This report details the preparation and use of the thoracodorsal artery as a free graft.
- The graft was utilized for left anterior descending artery (LAD) bypass in a patient requiring repeat revascularization.
Findings:
- The thoracodorsal artery was successfully harvested and used as a free conduit.
- The patient's perioperative course was uneventful, demonstrating graft viability.
Implications:
- The thoracodorsal artery presents a valuable alternative arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting.
- This technique expands options for complex revascularization procedures where standard grafts are not feasible.
Abstract:
Arterial myocardial revascularization using different arterial conduits as mammary, radial, gastroepiploic, subscapular and epigastric arteries are well documented. This report describes a preparation and use of thoracodorsal artery as a free graft for coronary artery bypass grafting. The preparation and removal of thoracodorsal artery were performed through right axilla. The artery was used as a free conduit for left anterior descending artery (LAD) in a 58-year-old female for the second revascularization. The saphenous veins, mammary arteries, right radial artery and epigastric artery were not available. The perioperative course was uneventful and we can recommend the graft as an alternative for such cases.