Investigation of the histopathological differences of radial artery used for coronary bypass surgery by electron microscopy in two different age groups

Abstract

Aim: To investigate by electron microscopy whether there are any histopathological differences between the samples collected from the radial arteries used as grafts in the coronary bypass surgeries in two different age groups.

Methods: Forty patients whose radial artery grafts were prepared for myocardial revascularization purposes were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups of twenty each: patients over and under 55. All patients included in the study were evaluated preoperatively for the arterial circulation of the hand from which the radial artery graft would be harvested. The radial artery was dissected as a pedicle together with the surrounding venous structures by means of low-voltage electrocautery. It was left in its original anatomic site until the harvesting of the sample. The harvested samples were examined using a transmission electron microscope, and their photos were taken.

Results: We found that the preoperative and intraoperative variables in both age groups were statistically similar except for age, and that the vessels in both groups were histologically normal, with minimal pathological changes.

Conclusion: We concluded that radial artery is a graft that can be used in suitable cases in coronary bypass surgery with no age restrictions.