Local Complications after Harvesting of Radial Artery Conduit for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Mayo Hospital Experience

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives:  To evaluate incidence of local complica-tions of radial artery (RA) harvesting for coronary art-ery bypass grafting (CABG).

Patients and Methods:  From March 2011 to January 2012, a total of 87 consecutive patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria, who underwent CA-BG and had left radial artery used as a conduit were included in this study. Prospective surveillance of sur-gical site (radial artery harvest site) was assessed on a daily basis during the patient's stay in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Mayo Hospital / KEMU, Lahore and were reassessed after one month and six months interval. Surgical site assessment includes cutaneous paraesthesia, compartment syndrome, hand Ischemia, donor arm weakness, superficial infection, wound dehiscence, hematoma and impact of these complications on the quality of life.

Results:  During the study period 6 Patients (6.8%) reported cutaneous paraesthesia around the thenar emi-nence after 6 months; 3 Patients (3.4%) developed donor arm weakness, normalized after 6 months. Superficial wound infection and Hematoma (not requi-ring re-exploration) was noted in 1.1% and 2.9% res-pectively. None of the patients developed compart-ment syndrome, hand Ischemia, wound dehiscence.

Conclusions:  Findings confirm that the local compli-cations after radial artery harvesting are rare and are clinically insignificant.

Keywords:  Radial artery, Conduit, CABG.