Modern cardiac practice in the United States is conservative when it comes to using bilateral internal mammary or radial artery grafts in coronary artery bypass surgery. Here, we examine the evidence regarding using other arterial grafts instead of veins as a complement to left internal mammary artery in surgical revascularization. In addition, we put our report in perspective relative to prevailing practice, professional societal guidelines, and future directions in coronary artery bypass grafting.
Keywords: arterial conduits; coronary artery bypass grafting; internal mammary artery; radial artery; saphenous vein graft.
Published by Elsevier Inc.