EVALUATION OF THE THORACODORSAL ARTERY AS AN ALTERNATIVE CONDUIT FOR CORONARY-BYPASS

Complete coronary revascularization using arterial grafts has been per formed recently because of their improved patency rates. However, as t he need to repeat coronary bypass surgery has become more frequent, it can be difficult to find adequate conduits for further bypass surgery , Therefore, we investigated the use of the left thoracodorsal artery (LTDA) as an alternative bypass conduit. The length from its origin, i nternal diameter, and number and location of branches were angiographi cally measured in 16 patients, and in situ blood flow volume and exter nal diameter were intraoperatively measured in 8. Moreover, each speci men of the LTDA, the internal thoracic artery (ITA), and the inferior epigastric artery (IEA) were evaluated histologically. We found that t he thoracodorsal artery has the same diameter as the ITA angiographica lly, and the same histological findings as the IEA. In conclusion, the thoracodorsal artery may be useful as a coronary arterial graft.