Download PDF
Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997; 45(6): 277-279
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1013749
Original Cardiovascular

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Evaluation of the Thoracodorsal Artery as an Alternative Conduit for Coronary Bypass

H. Moro1 , H. Ohzeki1 , J.-I. Hayashi1 , S. Eguchi1 , Y. Tamura2 , T. Funazaki3 , K.-I. Watanabe4
  • Second Department of Surgery
  • 2First Department of Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine
  • 3Second Saiseikai Hospital
  • 4Tubame Rosai Hospital, Niigata, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

1997

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints All articles of this category

Abstract

Complete coronary revascularization using arterial grafts has been performed recently because of their improved patency rates. However, as the 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, internal diameter, and number and location of branches were angiographically measured in 16 patients, and in situ blood flow volume and external diameter were intraoperatively measured in 8. Moreover, each specimen of the LTDA, the internal thoracic artery (ITA), and the inferior epigastric artery (IEA) were evaluated histologically. We found that the thoracodorsal artery has the same diameter as the ITA angiographically, and the same histological findings as the IEA. In conclusion, the thoracodorsal artery may be useful as a coronary arterial graft.

Key words

Thoracodorsal artery - Repeat coronary bypass surgery - Alternative bypass conduit - Arterial conduit