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Abstract
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No Ulnar Artery atheroma 8 years following Radial Artery harvest
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Royse A, Chang C, Nicholas D, Royse C. No late ulnar artery atheroma after radial artery harvest for coronary bypass surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2008;85:891-894 
DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.10.064
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A/Prof Alistair Royse Alistair.Royse@unimelb.edu.au
Abstract
No late ulnar artery atheroma following radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass surgery
Alistair Royse, Gregory Chang, Danielle Nicholas, Colin Royse
Cardiovascular Therapeutics Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria
Introduction: Radial artery harvest for coronary artery surgery leads to chronically elevated blood flow in the remaining ulnar artery. This study examined the ulnar artery for evidence of increased atherosclerosis compared to the contralateral ulnar artery where the radial artery had not been harvested.
Methods: Patients were enrolled at least 7 years following unilateral radial artery harvest. Anatomical and flow data were acquired using a high frequency ultrasound probe. Maximal forearm blood flow was measured following exercise with concurrent ischemia.
Results: Eighty five patients, 71 males at age 71±9 years (43-88) were assessed at 8.4±1.0 years (7.2-11.1). There was no patient with ulnar artery atheroma on either side. Some ulnar calcification was present in 4 patients bilaterally. The ulnar diameter following radial artery harvest was greater 2.8±0.5 vs 2.4±0.4 mm (P<0.001), as was flow at rest 111±64 vs 59±41 mL/min (P<0.001). However, the brachial artery flow was not different between the two sides at rest 169±90 vs 176±87 mL/min (P=0.060) or following ischemic exercise 714±294 vs 753±315 mL/min (P=0.485).
Discussion: At an average of 8 years following radial artery harvest, the remaining ulnar artery has no evidence of increased atheroma and the maximal forearm blood flow is preserved.