Pii: S1010-7940(00)00626-6

Objective: Doppler ultrasound and digital plethysmography are used at our institution to determine the suitability of the radial artery for harvest prior to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The purpose of this study is to determine the value of this preoperative evaluation. Methods: A retrospective analysis of non-invasive radial artery testing was performed on 187 CABG patients. Criteria used to exclude radial arteries from harvest were anatomic abnormalities …size , 2 mm, diffuse calci®cations), and perfusion de®cits during radial artery occlusion ….40% reduction in digital pressure, non-reversal of radial artery ̄ow, or minimal increase in ulnar velocity). A questionnaire was used to determine the incidence of postoperative hand ischemia or rehabilitation. Results: In 187 patients, 346 arms were evaluated. Ninety-four arms (27.1%) were excluded for harvesting. Anatomical abnormalities included size , 2 mm (1.5%), diffuse calci®cations (8.7%), congenital anomalies (2.3%), and radial artery occlusion (0.3%). Circulatory abnormalities included non-reversal of ̄ow (7.2%), abnormal digital pressures (5.5%), and inappropriate increase in ulnar velocity (1.7%). A total of 116 radial arteries were harvested. There were no episodes of hand ischemia. No patient required hand rehabilitation. Conclusions: Doppler ultrasound and digital plethysmography identi®es both perfusion (14.5%) and anatomical (12.7%) abnormalities that may make the radial artery less suitable as a bypass conduit. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.