Comparison of the flow capacity of free arterial grafts and saphenous vein grafts for coronary bypass surgery

There is controversy regarding the flow reserve and capacity of arterial conduits to meet the needs of the myocardium, This study compared flow in 22 free arterial bypasses to 15 saphenous vein grafts in procedures involving twenty patients. To assess the maximal flow possible, (flow capacity) graft. flow was measured using a calibrated pump while perfusing blood cardioplegia through the conduit and distal anastomosis during cardiac arrest (no competitive flow). This assessment was subsequently confirmed with whole blood during myocardial contraction while on cardiopulmonary bypass. Twenty-two free arterial grafts were used; 15 right internal mammary artery grafts, 4 right gastroepiploic grafts, 3 inferior epigastric artery grafts, and 3 sequential bypasses. Free arterial conduit flow ranged from SO to 180 cc/ml, with an average flow of 102.5 +/- 28.5: ml/min as compared to saphenous vein graft flow, 102 +/- 28 ml/min, No correlation of flow with the conduit size was found. Arterial graft flow demonstrated a mild correlation with the size of the native coronary artery bypassed (R = 0.47, P less than or equal to 0.02). Conclusions: Basal flow through free arterial grafts is equivalent to saphenous vein grafts and is primarily determined by the native coronary vessels. The flow reserve for free arterial conduits is more than adequate for coronary bypass surgery. (C) 2001 The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.