Biometry and structure of the left internal thoracic and radial coronary arteries
Barry, M.; Foulon, P.; Touati, G.; Sevestre, H.; Laude, M.
Morphologie Bulletin de l'Association des Anatomistes 87(277): 13-15
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1286-0115 PMID: 14717064 Document Number: 565003
In an attempt to elucidate the causes of occlusion of radial arteries for coronary artery bypass grafts, we studied the biometry and histology of the coronary, radial and left internal thoracic arteries of 20 anatomical subjects (13 males and 7 females). These specimens were calibrated to the various bypass graft sites using coronary calibrators, and were then submitted to histological examination to determine the structure of the vessel wall. Our preliminary results show no correlation between the internal calibres of these various arteries. Like the coronary arteries and their branches, the radial artery is a muscular artery. In contrast, the left internal thoracic artery like the aorta, is an elastic artery.