The effect of radial artery on coronary bypass surgery in patients aged 65 years and older

To investigate the effect of autologous radial artery (RA) on coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the elderly aged 65 years and older. Three hundreds and twenty-two patients aged 65 years and older underwent CABG with autologous RA from January 2000 to March 2007. Peri-operative complication and mortality were observed and follow-up was performed. Three hundreds and forty-four RA grafts including 300 cases of single and 22 cases of bilateral RA were collected. The total number of distal anastomosis was 974, with the mean of (3.0 +/- 0.4). The mean of RA distal anastomosis was (1.1 +/- 0.4). There were 321 single, 16 Y or T composite and 7 sequential grafts of RA constructed. The distal end of RA was anastomosed to right coronary artery system for 234 times, to obtuse marginal for 95 times, to diagonal or intermediate ramous artery for 22 times. The proximal end of RA was anastomosed to aorta for 328 times, to left internal mammary artery for 9 times and to saphenous vein for 7 times. Only 13 patients ma