Abstract: Though the use of the radial artery (RA) as a coronary artery bypass graft has been accepted world widely in myocardial revascularization, there has been no uniformity regarding harvest techniques, assessment of the adequacy of hand collateral circulation, antispasm rotocols, selection of target vessels, and the site of proximal anastomosis. It is widely believed and practiced that the RA should be harvested as a pedicle graft and preferably be used to bypass critically stenosed (gt;70% stenosis) coronary arteries. It is used either as a free graft with proximal anastomosis to the ascending aorta or as a composite arterial graft along with the left or right internal thoracic artery. The patency of RA grafts depends on the severity of the target coronary artery stenosis and target artery location rather than its use as an aortocoronary conduit or composite graft. Though lacking of evidences, most surgeons use antispasm therapy for RA conduits. There are advantages in using RA as an alternative for right internal mammary artery in total artery coronary revascularization.
Objective To evaluate surgical treatment of infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. Methods The data on surgical treatment of 45 patients with infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm admitted from January 2003 to June 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Fourty-three patients underwent operative treatment including excision of infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, exhaustive debridement and bypass graft with vascular prosthesis. Two patients were unavoidable to undergo removing of infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm and ligating the proximal and distal artery of pseudoaneurysm because of severe infection and large volume. Results The patients were followed up from 3 to 12 months (mean 7.82 months). The limbs of all the patients underwent bypass graft with vascular prosthesis were salvaged successfully, patients of which had secondary wound healing and had not intermittent lameness. One of two patients performed ligation of artery was salvaged successfully but had severe intermittent lameness, another patient underwent high amputation above knee because of ischemic gangrene. Conclusion For infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, the operative treatment including excision of infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, exhaustive debridement and bypass graft with vascular prosthesis is effective and safe.