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
