The Arterial Grafts for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Review of Current Knowledge in Regard of the Radial Artery and the Right Gastroepiploic Artery

The benefits of using arterial grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have
been elucidated in previous investigations. Alternative arterial grafts such as radial
artery (RA) and right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) have been used widely for CABG
with increasing importance. Med-Line (1986-2010) was searched using the subsequent
keyword arterial graft, CABG, RA and GEA. Overall, a total of 82 observational and
comparison studies were considered relevant to this review and were summarized. This
review provides a summary of the outcomes of RA and/or GEA arterial grafts regarding
morbidity, mortality, patency rates, technical features and certain characteristics of
the considered arterial conduits. This review article further supports the utility of the
RA when used as either a composite or aortocoronary graft which results in improved
results. Although some investigations showed acceptable results justify its use in clinical
settings, there is still much concern about using the GEA in CABG. Right GEA, as
an arterial graft, can be used as an in situ graft or a free graft.