Radial Artery and Saphenous Vein Harvesting
Removal of a suitable arm artery or leg vein for use as a graft during coronary artery bypass surgery.
Overview
The choice depends on the coronary blockage, the condition of available vessels and the patient’s overall health. Assessment confirms whether blood flow in the donor limb will remain adequate.
During coronary artery bypass grafting, a healthy vessel can create a route around a blocked coronary artery. The radial artery from the forearm or saphenous vein from the leg may be selected.
What to expect
Follow the surgical team’s fasting, smoking and medicine instructions. Blood tests and imaging may be used to assess the heart and possible donor vessels.
Under general anesthesia, the vessel is removed through an open incision or an endoscopic approach using smaller incisions. The surgeon then uses it in the bypass operation.
Recovery follows the wider bypass-surgery plan and includes donor-site care and follow-up. Other vessels maintain circulation in the arm or leg. Report chest pain, breathing difficulty or wound infection signs promptly.
Risks
Possible risks include bleeding, infection, swelling, scarring, pain, altered skin sensation and injury to surrounding nerves or vessels. Grafts can develop narrowing or blockage over time.
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