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Ulnar artery as a coronary bypass graft
B F Buxton1, A T Chan, A S Dixit
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia. bux@austin.unimelb.edu.au
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|May 16, 1998
Summary
The ulnar artery can serve as a viable coronary artery bypass graft when the radial artery is unsuitable. Eight patients received successful ulnar artery grafts, with no immediate complications observed.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Anatomy
Background:
- The ulnar artery is an alternative graft for coronary artery bypass surgery.
- It is considered when radial artery harvesting poses risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using the ulnar artery as a coronary artery bypass graft.
Main Methods:
- Ten ulnar arteries were harvested from the forearm.
- Graft preparation involved dissection from the wrist proximally.
- Arteries were divided distally above the wrist and proximally below the common interosseus artery origin.
Main Results:
- Eight of ten harvested ulnar arteries were successfully used as coronary artery bypass grafts.
- Two arteries were unsuitable due to calcification or atherosclerotic occlusion.
- No early hand or cardiac complications were reported in the eight patients.
Conclusions:
- The ulnar artery is a potential alternative for coronary artery bypass grafting when the radial artery is not a safe option.
- Potential ulnar nerve injury during harvesting necessitates caution.
- Further evaluation is recommended before widespread adoption of the ulnar artery graft.