Is Internal Mammary to the Anterior Descending Always the Best Option?

Rodgers-Fischl, Peter M; Ferraris, Victor A; Makdisi, George · Ann Thorac Surg · 2021

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is the gold standard conduit used to revascularize the left anterior descending artery and has consistently been shown to be associated with better survival, graft patency, and freedom from cardiac events compared with other used conduits. Evaluation of LIMA flow and anatomy is not routinely done by the interventional cardiologist while performing the left heart catheterization. We present a case where the LIMA was found to be the major blood supply to the left leg, which might have led to leg ischemia if the LIMA had been used as graft.

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