Tayyab Pasha, Aamer Iqbal Qureshi, Hafiz Moazzam Ali, Imran Khan, Muhammad Aamir, Salman Arif, Ayesha Siddiqa.
Early outcomes and quality of life after radial artery use in coronary artery bypass grafting.
J Cardiovascular Dis Jan ;12(2):26-9.

BACKGROUND: Radial artery is used in addition to internal mammary arteries and vein grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting. This study was conducted to see the early and midterm outcomes of radial artery (RA) grafting in terms of quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the department of cardiac surgery, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore from January 2012 to February 2016. All the patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting during period were included in the study. Perioperative variables were recorded and then the quality of life was assessed using EuroQol 5D questionnaire at follow up. RESULTS:A total of 429 patients were operated on during the above mentioned period. Radial artery was used in 185 patients, out of which 157 (84%) were males and 28(16%) were females.We performed off pump coronary artery bypass in 155(84%) patients and on pump coronary artery bypass in 30(16%) patients. Among selected patients, 84(45%) were smokers, 81(43%) were diabetics and 104(56%) had hypertension. Renal failure occurred in 4 (2.1%) off pump patients while no on pump patient reported renal failure. Wound infection affected 5 (3.22%) off pump patients and 1 (3.3%) on pump patient. Thirty day mortality occurred in only one on pump patient (0.05%). At midterm, patients gave their feedback on EuroQol questionnaire. No patient was bed ridden. Eighty two percent were following a thirty minute walk plan with least distance of 1 km. Patients were highly aware about the concept of self-care as 99% were taking medicines regularly. Also 83% patients were free of any pain. CONCLUSION:Radial artery gives acceptable immediate postoperative results and improves quality of life at midterm. Further studies regarding patency are needed to evaluate the graft in coronary artery bypass grafting. KEY WORDS: Radial artery, coronary artery bypass grafting, outcomes.

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