Effect of radial artery harvest on collateral forearm blood flow and digital perfusion

Abstract

Background: Changes describing digital and forearm circulation after radial artery harvest have been reported infrequently. Methods: This prospective study examined digital perfusion and forearm collateral circulation preoperatively and postoperatively in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with radial artery free grafts. Noninvasive evaluation was conducted with digital photoelectric plethysmography and color flow and pulsed Doppler studies. Results: Thumb perfusion index decreased from 1.25 to 0.84 (30%, P