Radial Artery Versus Saphenous Vein As Conduits In Coronary Artery Surgery:

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The radial artery has become an increasingly popular arterial conduit in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), however little data exists with regard to the comparison of quality of life in patients undergoing CABG with radial artery grafts and those with conventional saphenous vein grafts. The aims of this study were therefore to identify any difference in long term quality of life in surviving patients between those undergoing CABG with radial artery grafts and those with saphenous vein grafts. METHODS Standardised questionnaires (SF-36 and Euroqol EQ5D) were sent to assess the quality of life in 130 patients who had undergone CABG with venous grafts (Group A) and 130 patients who had undergone CABG with radial artery grafts (Group B). Information was also gathered to determine any angina recurrence following CABG in the patients included in the study. In addition, information on any major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurring post-CABG was collected. RESULTS 70 responses were received from Group A and 82 from Group B. The mean follow up time was 6 years in both groups. On analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups with regard to the quality of life (based on SF-36 and EQ5D scores), angina recurrence or MACE. CONCLUSION Our study identified no additional benefit in using radial artery grafts over saphenous vein grafts with regard to the quality of life, MACE or angina recurrence in the medium term.