Late Presentation Digital Ischemia After Radial Artery Harvest for Coronary Artery Bypass

Abstract

The radial artery is increasingly being used as a coronary artery bypass graft. Morbidity from harvesting is rare, yet it does occur. We present a case of digital ischemia presenting late after surgery and suggest that although preoperative assessment may be normal, comorbidities such as collagen vascular disease in conjunction with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease should be carefully considered as a contraindication to radial artery harvest. © 2009 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.