Midterm clinical and angiographic results of radial artery grafts used formyocardial revascularization

Objective: To evaluate the midterm angiographic results of the use of radia l artery grafts for myocardial revascularization.,Methods: The first 68 con secutive surviving patients who received a radial artery graft proximally a nastomosed to the aorta at our institution were studied again at 5 years (m ean 59 +/- 6.5 months) of follow-up; 48 of these patients had previously un dergone an early angiographic examination. The response of the radial arter y to the endovascular infusion of serotonin was evaluated 1 and 5 Sears aft er the operation, and the midterm status of the radial artery graft was cor related with the degree of preoperative stenosis of the target vessel and w ith calcium-channel blocker therapy. Results: The patency and perfect paten cy rates of the radial artery grafts 5 gears after the operation were 91.9% and 87.0%, respectively. All radial artery grafts that were patent early a fter the operation remained patent at midterm follow-up, and early parietal irregularities in 7 patients were seen to have disappeared after 5 years. The early propensity toward graft spasm after serotonin challenge was marke dly decreased at midterm follow-up. The continued use of calcium-channel an tagonists after the first postoperative year did not influence the radial a rtery graft status, whereas the preoperative severity of the target-vessel stenosis markedly influenced the angiographic results. Conclusions: The mid term angiographic results of radial artery grafts used for myocardial revas cularization are excellent. The correct surgical indication is essential. C ontinued therapy with calcium-channel antagonists after the first year does not influence the midterm angiographic results.