Radial artery harvest technique, use and functional outcome

Objective: To develop a simple harvest technique for radial artery (RA). To investigate the morbidity and Functional outcome of IU harvest. Methods: T he neurovascular fascia surrounding the RA is divided. Only loose areolar t issue surrounds this artery making harvest of RA simple and allowing minima l trauma to the RA and surrounding muscles. Topical and intraluminal vasodi lators but no systemic vasodilators are used. Results: RA harvest commenced in December 1994, Between 1996 and 30 June 1998, 2167 RA were harvested an d used to construct 3105 coronary anastomoses. A dramatic rise in RA use oc curred during 1996. More than 80% of patients undergoing coronary artery by pass surgery (CABG) have RA harvested since this time. Total arterial rovas cularization rate also rose dramatically and is currently 80% of all CABG. This rate has been assisted by a rapid rise in the use of composite arteria l grafting where aortic anastomoses can be avoided and currently represents 40% of ail CABG, Hand strength was: tested in 328 non-selected patients an d was not reduced by RA harvest when hand dominance was tal;en into account . Objective sensation loss was present in 0.3% for the superficial radial n erve and 2.1% for the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm Pulse oximetry obs ervations detected statistically significant but clinically irrelevant diff erences. Scar hypersensitivity occurred in 20%. Only two patients of all pa tients undergoing RA harvest reported late hand ischaemia. Conclusions: Har vest of the RA within the neurovascular plane is simple and associated with low morbidity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.