Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: an unusual complication of radial artery graft harvesting.

Radial artery autograft is re-establishing its place as a conduit of choice in coronary artery revascularization. Its revival after initial abandonment followed the recent emergence of encouraging medium- to long-term patency rates. Limb complications following radial artery harvesting are fortunately rare although those involving vascular supply to the hand and wound rank among the most commonly reported problems. On the other hand, reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the donor limb leading to significant disability, as illustrated in this case report, has so far not been recognized. With increasing popularity of radial artery grafts in coronary surgery, such an important complication, though uncommon, may assume greater importance. Early recognition and prompt referral for appropriate treatment are essential to minimize the impact of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.     

内窥镜采集桡动脉在冠状动脉旁路移植术中的应用及组织学评估

目的 观察冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)术中应用内窥镜桡动脉采集技术的效果,通过组织学观察评价内窥镜采集桡动脉的安全性.方法 2003年8月至2008年6月,87例CABG患者采用VagoView5内窥镜系统采集桡动脉.分别对各10例传统切开及内窥镜采集的桡动脉近端和远端各取4 mill,利用光学显微镜和透射电子显微镜检查进行组织学对照.结果 内窥镜采集耗时42～98 min,平均耗时(57.6±17.3)min;获取桡动脉长度15～20 cm,平均(17.5±1.6)cm;采集的桡动脉无明显损伤,除2例外所有采集的桡动脉都被用于CABG.7例患者术后早期拇指背侧有轻度感觉异常,随访3个月后明显改善.光镜和电子显微镜下桡动脉内膜、中层、外膜的损伤情况与传统切开组相似.结论 CABG术中应用内窥镜采集桡动脉可取得良好的外观效果,不损伤桡动脉血管结构,神经损伤可减到最小程度.组织学分析结果证实该方法与传统切开法具有同样的安全性.     

Subjective patient outcomes following coronary artery bypass using the radial artery: results of a cross-sectional survey of harvest site complications and quality of life

Objectives: To assess patient-based outcomes following radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey of 127 patients who underwent radial artery grafting was undertaken. The parameters assessed included symptoms related to the radial artery harvest site (functional impairment, sensory symptoms, and wound infection) and health related quality of life. Results: A high percentage of patients (67.7%) reported altered sensation, in the hand, in particular around the thenar eminence, in the forearm, or in relation to the incision; this was self-limiting and clinically insignificant in the vast majority of patients. Twelve patients reported residual insignificant symptoms after a median follow-up of 17.5 months. Four patients reported a subjective decrease in grip strength. Patients reported a good quality of life, and there was no association between this and the presence or absence of symptoms related to radial artery harvest. Some patients volunteered a ‘preference’ for the radial artery harvest site when compared with concomitantly harvested long saphenous vein (LSV), and there was a lower wound infection rate at radial artery harvest sites compared with vein harvest sites (6 vs. 15%). Conclusions: Sensory symptoms following radial artery procurement occur more frequently than previously reported, but are largely self-limiting and are usually clinically insignificant. Patients appear to have a good quality of life following CABG using the radial artery. Radial artery harvest may be associated with lower wound infection rates and greater patient satisfaction than LSV harvest, however, the presence of residual sensory symptoms may be of relevance when obtaining informed consent.     

Forearm muscle necrosis after radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass surgery

Donor site complications after radial artery harvesting for coronary revascularization have been primarily wound related and parasthesias. Forearm muscle compartment syndrome has only been reported once. A patient underwent successful coronary revascularization with a radial artery graft; however his forearm extensor muscles necrosed, possibly from a missed compartment syndrome, and he required tendon transfers to provide finger and wrist extension.     

Endoscopic versus open radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Background and aim of the study. The radial artery has become the artery of choice after both internal thoracic arteries for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study compares wound healing and arm complications after endoscopic versus open radial artery harvesting. Methods. From January 2002 to July 2004, 509 patients underwent CABG including a radial artery conduit. Thirty-nine had endoscopic and 470 conventional open radial artery harvesting. A propensity score was used to obtain 1:3 matching of all endoscopic to 117 open-harvesting patients. Postoperative wound healing, local neurologic deficits, wound infection, and pain scores were compared. Results. Wound healing: 34 of 39 endoscopic wounds exhibited a perfect Hollander score versus 339 of 470 open-harvest wounds (p = 0.01). Wound appearance was better for endoscopic harvesting (p = 0.004). Three incomplete neurologic deficits were observed after open harvesting versus one complete neurologic deficit after endoscopic harvesting that recovered prior to hospital discharge. Incidence of wound infection was similar in both groups (p = 0.7), although infection was more severe with open harvesting. Pain score was lower (p = 0.006) with endoscopic harvesting. Conclusions. Endoscopic radial artery harvesting was associated with better wound appearance and less pain. Occurrence of neurologic deficits and wound infection was infrequent in both groups.     

The radial artery in coronary surgery, 2018

It is now 25 years since the radial artery (RA) was reintroduced in coronary surgery. It has evolved into being a significant coronary artery bypass conduit and ranks third in usage after the internal thoracic artery (ITA) and saphenous vein grafts (SVG). Its advantages are that it can be readily and efficiently harvested, is of good length and appropriate size for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, is robust and easy to handle, and remains free of atheroma, and there is minimal wound morbidity. The RA must be used judiciously with attention to spasm prophylaxis because of its muscular wall, and by avoiding competitive flow. Its patency is equivalent to the ITAs when placed to similar coronary territories and under similar conditions (stenosis, size, quality) and RA patencies are always superior to those of SVG in both observational and randomized studies—88–90% versus 50–60% at 10 years, and 80–87% versus 25–40% at 20 years. Its use and excellent patencies result in survival results equivalent to bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting and always superior to left internal thoracic artery (LITA) +SVG. Typical radial artery multiarterial bypass grafting (RA-MABG) 10-year survivals are 80–90% versus 70–80% for LITA-SVG. In general, for every 100 patients undergoing CABG, 10 more patients will be alive at 10 years post-operatively. The RA also is important in achieving total arterial revascularization, and several reports indicate a further survival advantage for patients having three arterial grafts over two. The RAs are especially useful in diabetic, morbidly obese patients, those with conduit shortage, and leg pathology, and in coronary reoperations. Although the RA has equivalent patencies to the right internal thoracic artery (RITA), it is much more versatile. RAs that have been instrumented by angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention should be avoided. The radial artery has proved to be an excellent arterial conduit, is equivalent to but more versatile than the RITA, and is always superior to SVG. Its use should be part of every coronary surgeon’s skill set.     

Outcome assessment of hand function after radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass

The radial artery has gained widespread acceptance as a conduit for coronary artery bypass. Advantages include minimal donor site discomfort, ease of handling, excellent early patency rates, and the possibility of freedom from late conduit atherosclerosis. Although most series describe minimal morbidity, a significant incidence of radial sensory neuropathy and isolated instances of hand claudication and ischemia have been reported. We performed an outcome study utilizing the Short Form-36, the Upper Limb-Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand, and a modified self-administered hand diagram to compare 288 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass utilizing the radial artery with a control group of 174 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass without the radial artery. The data were analyzed by the t test for continuous variables and the chi-square test for categorical variables, and subsequently a multivariate regression model was constructed. No patients developed hand claudication or ischemia. Although there was an incidence of radial sensory neuropathy of 9.9% associated with radial artery harvest, it was not significantly higher than the incidence in the control group (5.2%, p =.16). Intrinsic patient factors such as obesity, age, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease were the principal determinants of overall health and quality of life issues.     

Modified technique for rapid atraumatic radial artery harvesting

The radial artery is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity as a conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting. We have introduced a modification of the standard technique of radial artery harvesting, which we have evaluated in a prospective randomized control study. Our modified technique was significantly quicker (p < 0.001) than the standard technique and required the use of fewer hemostatic clips (p < 0.001). Spasm of the radial artery did not occur in either group and there was no histological evidence of thermal injury to the radial artery. There was no incidence of postoperative hematoma, forearm dysesthesia, impaired wound healing, or hand complications in either group. We conclude that our technique allows rapid, inexpensive, and atraumatic harvesting of the radial artery.     

Harvest of the radial artery for coronary artery surgery preserves maximal blood flow of the forearm

Background

Use of the radial artery as a conduit for coronary artery surgery has increased dramatically. It has been assumed that blood flow to the forearm will not be compromised by its removal.

Methods

Sixteen patients who had the left radial artery harvested for coronary surgery at least 3 months earlier were studied. The right radial artery was not harvested. The radial, ulnar, and brachial artery diameters and flows were measured using pulsed wave Doppler with a 15-MHz linear array transducer. Measurements were performed at rest, with the right radial artery compressed, and after ischemia with forearm exercise.

Results

At rest, the (mean ± SE) diameter of the left ulnar artery was consistently greater than the right (2.4 ± 0.09 versus 2.1 ± 0.09 mm, p = 0.001) as was flow (74 ± 9.9 versus 48 ± 8.5 mL/min, p = 0.005). There was no difference between diameters or flows in the brachial arteries. After compression of the radial artery, flow increased in the right ulnar artery from 39 ± 8.0 to 72 ± 17.6 mL/min (p = 0.019) without an increase in ulnar artery size and was not different from the left ulnar artery flow at rest (p = 0.440). After ischemic forearm exercise, flow increased in the two brachial arteries almost equally (left, 348 ± 50; right, 371 ± 63 mL/min).

Conclusions

Blood flow to the forearm and hand is not compromised by harvest of the radial artery.     

Vascular antispastic medication should take priority over other antihypertensives after coronary artery bypass grafting using a radial artery conduit

Radial artery conduits have recently been used more often in coronary artery bypass grafting because of their potentially better long-term patency than saphenous vein conduits. However, vasospasm of the radial artery conduit due to its nature as a muscular artery has always been of concern and a variety of vasodilators have empirically been used to reduce the risk of spasm. When a patient who was preoperatively taking antihypertensive agents undergoes coronary artery bypass using a radial artery graft, and if he/she is not hypertensive postoperatively, it is not always easy to decide what medication to start with. We report a case of a patient with a radial artery graft who did not receive vasodilators after surgery due to hypotension. The patient developed vasospasm of the radial artery conduit which did not respond to direct injection of vasodilators into the conduit but recovered after taking oral vasodilators for four weeks.     

桡动脉获取技术及对前臂影响的探讨

目的　探讨桡动脉获取技术和桡动脉获取后对前臂供血、供氧和功能的影响。　方法　1998年9月～2000年4月用桡动脉做为移植材料行冠状动脉旁路移植术50例。桡动脉的获取标准采用改良Allen′s实验、量化Allen′s实验、术前超声检查和术中Allen′s实验判定桡动脉功能及尺动脉代偿功能;采用不接触血管技术获取桡动脉。　结果　桡动脉长14～22cm,桡动脉口径近端（2.89±0.38）?mm,远端（2.76±0.36）?mm,通畅情况良好。手术后前臂无血肿形成,活动良好。无与桡动脉桥有关的心脏并发症。2例桡动脉内膜轻度增生,其余病例桡动脉均正常。术后前臂血流图检查,术侧波幅为0.053±0.009,对侧为0.054±0.017;术侧尺动脉血流速度为（26.38±4.09）cm/s,对侧为（18.82±6.11）?cm/s;术侧尺动脉血流量术前为（30.78±9.71）?ml/min,手术后为（43.36±13.98）?ml/min,差异均有显著性意义（P＞0.05）;左、右手无创血氧饱和度及同一手手术前后的血氧饱和度均差异无显著性意义（P＞0.05）。术侧前臂旋前、旋后及腕关节屈、伸的肌力均正常（Ⅴ级）,但较健侧肌力略差。少数患者大鱼际和第1、2掌骨间背侧皮肤麻木,桡神经运动支和正中神经传导速度正常,两侧差异无显著性意义（P＞0.05）。　结论　采用不接触血管技术获取桡动脉,可避免桡动脉、周围血管和神经损伤;严格掌握桡动脉的获取标准,桡动脉取出后对前臂功能基本无影响。术后术侧前臂供血有所减少,但不影响前臂供氧。     

The fate of the radial artery conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the standard surgical procedure for the treatment of advanced coronary artery disease. CABG surgery has been demonstrated to improve symptoms and, in specific subgroups of patients, to prolong life. Despite its success, the long-term outcome of coronary bypass surgery is strongly influenced by the fate of the vascular conduits used. Impressive long-term disease-free patency rate of the left internal thoracic artery-left anterior descending coronary artery (LITA-LAD) graft, coupled with proven long-term survival benefits, has led to its becoming a 'golden standard' of CABG. Previous long-term studies have also shown unsatisfactory patency of saphenous vein grafts used for myocardial revascularization, compared with internal thoracic artery grafts. Thus, the use of arterial conduits has expanded beyond the internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) to include the right gastroepiploic artery, the inferior epigastric artery, and the radial artery. The assumption is that although the performance of one or two arterial ITA graft is superb, more arterial grafts should perform better in the long-term follow-up. Several studies concerning the use of the radial artery bypass grafts have documented excellent clinical results and satisfactory short-term as well as mid-term patency rates at restudy angiography, supporting its continued use as a bypass conduit. However, a note of caution concerning radial artery conduit patency rate have appeared in few recent reports. Thus, in this paper, we summarize the current evidence about the radial artery as a conduit in CABG surgery, with special emphasis on the clinical results.     

Internal mammary artery to coronary artery bypass in paediatric cardiac surgery

The internal mammary artery is regarded as the optimal conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting in adults. Use of this conduit in paediatric surgery is rare and has been reported mainly in patients with Kawasaki's disease. We report five patients who required internal mammary-coronary artery grafting due to adverse anatomical disposition of the coronary artery. In two cases an internal mammary graft was required during correction of transposition of the great arteries. The other cases involved correction of a left coronary artery arising anomalously from the pulmonary artery. Late angiography shows satisfactory growth and patency of the conduits.     

Role of radial artery graft in coronary artery bypass grafting

The use of the radial artery (RA) as a coronary artery bypass graft has assumed a revival and thus a multitude of issues have arisen surrounding the routine and widespread use of this conduit in myocardial revascularization. There has been no uniformity regarding harvest techniques, assessment of the adequacy of hand collateral circulation, antispasm protocols, selection of target vessels, and the site of proximal anastomosis. It is widely believed and practiced that the RA should be harvested as a pedicle graft and preferably be used to bypass critically stenosed (>70% stenosis) coronary arteries. It is used either as a free graft with proximal anastomosis to the ascending aorta or as a composite arterial graft along with the left or right internal thoracic artery. The patency of RA grafts depends on the severity of the target coronary artery stenosis and target artery location rather than its use as an aortocoronary conduit or composite graft. In this article, we reviewed the current knowledge regarding the use of RA grafts as a coronary bypass conduit in an attempt to suggest a few acceptable strategies concerning the above issues in a given clinical scenario.     

Free radial forearm flap with adipofascial tissue extension for reconstruction of oral cancer defect

The radial forearm flap has been one of the most popular flaps used to reconstruct defects after oral cancer ablation. However, it sometimes may not provide sufficient soft tissue to obliterate the dead space after tumor excision and lymph node dissection, which can result in deep wound infection of the neck or even orocervical fistula. The authors modified the radial forearm flap with a sheet of adipofascial tissue extension to prevent such postoperative complications. From January 1997 to December 2000, 52 patients who underwent ablative oral cancer surgery were studied. A total of 29 patients (group I) underwent reconstruction with the traditional radial forearm flap retrospectively, and 23 patients (group II) underwent reconstruction with the radial forearm flap along with a sheet of adipofascial tissue extension. The radial forearm flap was designed on the axis of the radial artery, was 8 x 4 to 12 x 10 cm in size, and was sufficient to resurface the intraoral defect. In group II, the radial forearm skin flap along with a sheet of adipofascial tissue 8 x 8 to 12 x 10 cm was used to obliterate the dead space of the oral floor and neck. The donor site of both groups was resurfaced with a split-thickness skin graft. In group II, the skin flap of the adipofascial tissue was resutured to its original site. Two flaps in group I failed because of arterial occlusion and required other skin flaps for reconstruction. Postoperative hematoma, which required surgical treatment for drainage, developed in five patients in group I. None of the patients in group II had hematoma formation. Nine patients in group I had a neck wound infection compared with only 2 patients in group II (a significant difference). The average volume of drainage and days of hospitalization were similar in both groups. The morbidity of the donor site of both groups was not significant. The advantages of this modification include 1) suitable soft tissue available for dead space obliteration to decrease the chance of postoperative hematoma; 2) the important vessels in the neck can be protected; 3) there is a decrease in neck wound infections; and 4) donor site morbidity is similar to the traditional group.     

Revascularization using satellite vein after radial artery harvested for coronary artery bypass grafting

The radial artery has been increasingly used for coronary artery bypass grafting and has excellent long-term patency rates. Hand claudication is one of the adverse effects after radial artery harvest. We reconstructed a radial artery using the satellite vein to prevent hand claudication. Pulsating blood flow at 35 cm/sec was evaluated using color Doppler echocardiography three months after surgery. This method makes it possible to use a radial artery in patients with a positive Allen test.     

Chronic compensatory increase in ulnar flow and accelerated atherosclerosis after radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass

BACKGROUND: Only scant information is available on the chronic consequences of radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass surgery on forearm circulation. METHODS: Twenty-five patients submitted to radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass were submitted to serial Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of the flow and morphology of the forearm arteries. RESULTS: The peak systolic velocity of the ulnar artery of the operated side was significantly higher than that of the control site. The intimal-medial thickness of the ulnar artery was always significantly higher on the operated side, and this difference reached statistical significance at 10 years' follow-up. There was a significantly higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques in the ulnar artery of the operated versus control arm (7/25 vs 0/25, P = .03). CONCLUSION: Radial artery removal for coronary artery bypass surgery leads to a chronic increase in ulnar flow accompanied by increased intimal-medial thickness and accelerated atherosclerotic disease. These findings might have potentially important implications for surgical indications and patient management.     

The radial artery for coronary artery bypass grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the standard surgical procedure for the treatment of advanced coronary artery disease. CABG surgery has been demonstrated to improve symptoms and, in specific subgroups of patients, to prolong life. Despite its success, the long-term outcome of coronary bypass surgery is strongly influenced by the fate of the vascular conduits used. Previous long-term studies have shown unsatisfactory patency of saphenous vein grafts used for myocardial revascularisation, compared with internal mammary artery grafts. Recently, the use of radial artery for CABG has enjoyed a revival, on the basis of the belief that it will help improving long-term results of coronary operations. The recent reports of encouraging mid-term and long-term patency rates of the radial artery, supports its continued use as a bypass conduit. In this paper, we review the current knowledge about the radial artery as a bypass graft, with special emphasis on the clinical results.     

Dystrophic calcification of the radial artery

The radial artery continues to enjoy resurgence in popularity as a conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting but few studies have examined the prevalence of preexisting disease in this vessel. We highlight a potential, avoidable pitfall when use of the radial artery for coronary artery bypass grafting is proposed.     

Permanent nerve injury in the forearm following radial artery harvest: a report of two cases.

Radial artery grafts for coronary artery bypass surgery have recently gained renewed clinical interest. The procedure has been reported to be successful, with a low incidence of morbidity. Although permanent injury to the sensory nerves of the forearm has not been reported, transient or temporary dysesthesia has been known to occur. Recently, 2 patients were referred for long-standing debilitating dysesthesia in their forearms following radial artery harvesting. Electrical studies documented radial sensory nerve injury in both patients, one of whom underwent surgical treatment. Because radial artery grafting for coronary artery bypass surgery may be increasing in popularity, disability from sensory nerve injury may become more frequent. Because of the susceptibility to injury of the sensory nerves in the forearm, and because of the anatomic variations in this region, surgical personnel performing radial artery harvesting should be familiar with the pertinent anatomy so that this complication can be avoided.