[Arteriosclerosis of the right gastro-omental artery]

The right gastroepiploic artery is most frequently used for direct myocardial revascularization. In this connection, its histological study was performed to reveal the atherosclerosis incidence in persons from different age groups who had apparent signs of coronary atherosclerosis. Twenty one arteries taken from adult cadavers at the age of 35-85 years were examined. The arteries with normal were 28.6%, those with Degree I alterations were 52.4%, those with Degree II alterations were 19%. Degrees III and IV alterations were not detected. Morphological studies indicated that hemodynamically significant right gastroepiploic artery lesions were found in 19% of cases, mainly in subjects above 60 years. The artery may be used in coronary surgery as a shunt with a good prognosis of its performance.