Conclusions
ORAH is associated with a significantly higher endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Further investigation on the potential implications of these findings in terms of graft spasm and patency as well as clinical outcomes are needed.
Methods
Two independent surgical teams working in the same institution routinely use the RA for coronary artery bypass grafting exclusively employing either ORAH or ERAH. Thirty-nine consecutive patients were enrolled in this comparative study. Endothelial function after ORAH or ERAH was assessed by using the wire myograph system. The integrity of the RA endothelium was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for erythroblast transformation specific-related gene.
Results
The vasodilation in response to acetylcholine was significantly higher in RA harvested with ORAH (P ≤ 0.001 versus ERAH). Endothelial integrity was not different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: ORAH is associated with a significantly higher endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Further investigation on the potential implications of these findings in terms of graft spasm and patency as well as clinical outcomes are needed.