Thoracodorsal artery as a free graft for coronary artery bypass grafting

Arterial myocardial revascularization using different arterial conduits as mammary, radial, gastroepiploic, subscapular and epigastric arteries are we ll documented. This report describes a preparation and use of thoracodorsal artery as a free graft for coronary artery bypass grafting. The preparatio n and removal of thoracodorsal artery were performed through right axilla. The artery was used as a free conduit for left anterior descending artery ( LAD) in a 58-year-old female for the second revascularization. The saphenou s veins, mammary arteries, right radial artery and epigastric artery were n ot available. The perioperative course was uneventful and we can recommend the graft as an alternative for such cases. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.