<![CDATA[<B>The use of the radial artery as the second choice for arterial graft in patients over 70 years of age</B>]]>

Abstract

Objective: Retrospective study evaluating the morbidmortality and hospital behavior in over 70-year-old patients submitted to myocardial revascularization involving the radial artery as the second arterial graft.Method: During the period of August 1994 to December 2002, 2487 cases of myocardial revascularization were performed by the group of the Juiz de Fora Heart Institute, 476 of whom were 70 years of age or older and 36 (Group II) received the radial artery as the second arterial graft. The same type of surgery was performed in 142 under 70-year-old patients (Group I). Reoperations, off-pump operations (OPCAB) or associated procedures were excluded from this study.Results: The median age was 72.5 years, the mortality rate was 6% in this group of patients and the incidence of complications was low, comparable to the 142 under 70-yearold patients (Group I) submitted to the same type of surgery. Conclusion:The results achieved with this study lead the authors to believe that the radial artery can be safely used as the second arterial graft in well selected septuagenarian patients, despite the greater risk of co-morbidities related to this age group.Descriptors: Coronary artery disease, surgery. Radial artery. Myocardial revascularization, old age.

Advances in Coronary Heart Disease Surgery in Latin America

“…18 The RA has also proven to be a satisfactory conduit in patients Ͼ70 years of age. 22,23 In 1997, in this region, endarterectomy was performed in 0.001% of cases and increased to 2% in recent years according to database analyses. 24 An average of 2.83 bypasses per surgery are accomplished.…”