Surgical techniques for internal thoracic artery grafting

Abstract

The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) is used in nearly every coronary artery reconstruction, either alone or in conjunction with the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) or other arterial or venous grafts. Bilateral ITA grafting is believed to confer survival benefit [1]. Bilateral internal thoracic artery usage in everyday practice is increasing. The anatomy, physiology, harvesting and grafting techniques therefore assume enormous relevance to the surgeon. © 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.