ABSTRACT
One of the therapeutic options in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Depleted myocardium is reperfused by a surgically inserted vessel distal to the obstruction. Various material can be used, but most grafts are either saphenous vein grafts or internal mammary artery grafts (Figure 12.1). Saphenous veins are free grafts that require surgical anastomosis to the (ascending) aorta. The internal mammary arteries can also be used for grafting, and have a much higher long-term patency rate. Mobilization of the internal mammary artery is a delicate procedure and involves clipping of the intercostal side-branches.
