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.
