In vivo functional flowmetric behavior of the radial artery graft: Is the composite Y-graft configuration advantageous over conventional aorta–coronary bypass?

Introduction Intraoperative flowmetric results of different configurations (Y-graft or aorta–coronary) of radial artery grafts have been poorly investigated. Methods We report the results of an observational study designed to analyze transit-time flow measurements at baseline and during 1:1 intra-aortic balloon pumping in 114 consecutive patients receiving the radial artery as a aorta–coronary bypass (group A, 72 patients) or as a Y-graft with the left internal thoracic artery (group B, 42 patients). Graft flow reserve, recruited by 1:1 intra-aortic balloon pumping) greater than 1 indicated recruitment of surplus graft flow. Results were stratified by grafted territory and surgical technique. Results Hospital outcome was comparable. Baseline transit-time flow results were similar between the 2 groups in terms of maximum diastolic flow, minimum systolic flow, mean flow, and pulsatility index. Graft flow reserve was not recruited by intra-aortic balloon pumping in 3 (2.7%) malfunctioning single aorta–oronary radial artery bypass grafts ( P = .005 versus successful radial artery bypass grafts). Graft flow reserve was recruited (>1) by intra-aortic balloon pumping in the remaining 111 patent radial artery bypass grafts. Y-grafts showed higher maximum diastolic flow P < .0001), mean flow ( P < .0001), graft flow reserve ( P < .0001), percentage improvement of maximum diastolic flow ( P < .0001), and of mean flow ( P < .0001) compared with aorta–coronary radial artery bypass grafts. These results were confirmed for the right coronary ( P ≤ .004) and the circumflex territory ( P ≤ .001), for off-pump ( P ≤ .008) or cardiopulmonary bypass ( P < .0001) and for patients undergoing isolated bypass grafting ( P < .0001). Conclusions Intraoperative flows of radial artery bypass grafts showed comparable baseline results in single aorta–coronary conduits and Y-grafts. Graft flow reserve recruited by intra-aortic balloon pumping was higher in Y-conduits, regardless of the grafted territory and the perfusion strategy chosen. Failed radial artery bypass grafts did not improve transit-time flow results during 1:1 intra-aortic balloong pumping nor showed any recruitment of graft flow reserve.