Arm complications after radial artery procurement for coronary bypass operation

Does radial artery harvesting for coronary revascularization cause neurological injury in the forearm and hand?

“…Despite acceptable minor hand complications are reported in many studies [15,16]; none of them could eliminate controversy about the suspicions on this conduit. The current study highlights that removal of RA does not lead to any major neurologic hand complications in the presence of adequate collateral arterial blood supply.…”

Should Radial Arteries Be Used Routinely for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting?

“…26,34 If there are no contraindications before harvesting, removal of the RA does not result in any symptoms of hand ischemia or motor dysfunction. 35 Although rare, complications after RA harvesting may occur. The most common complications noted, occurring in 2.6% to 15.2% of patients, are sensory abnormalities, especially cutaneous paresthesias in the radial distribution of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve or superficial branch of the radial nerve, likely secondary to nerve injury from direct trauma, edema, or carpal tunnel hematoma.…”

“…The most common complications noted, occurring in 2.6% to 15.2% of patients, are sensory abnormalities, especially cutaneous paresthesias in the radial distribution of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve or superficial branch of the radial nerve, likely secondary to nerve injury from direct trauma, edema, or carpal tunnel hematoma. 35,36 Other disadvantages of the RA include a slightly higher degree of atherosclerosis as compared with the LITA and its increased chance of being subject to previous iatrogenic vascular trauma. 33,37 However, the inability to use the RA because of severe calcification or chronic dissection from prior cannulation is relatively rare, occurring in less than 2% of candidates for RA harvest 34 (see Table 1).…”

Post Radial Artery Harvest Hand Perception. Postoperative 12-month Follow-up Results.

“…6,7 Tatoulis et al reported that post RA harvest scar complaints were indicated in 33% at 3 months postoperatively, 8 and Royse et al reported that the prevalence of scar tenderness or hypersensitivity was 20% at 12 months postoperatively. 6 Our results were slightly better; in particular, the incidences of hand pain and scar concern improved significantly at postoperative 12 months compared with 3 months.…”