CABG Recommendations Change

Is the radial artery a better choice than the saphenous vein for a second bypass graft? A long-term study finds the two conduits equivalent.

Published: February 22, 2023

Screen Shot 2023-02-17 at 12.54.32 PM — © pattarawit | Adobe Stock When more than one bypass graft is needed, an arm artery or leg vein may be used. The saphenous leg vein was the original choice. Over time, some surgeons switched to using a radial artery, thinking it would produce better results. But new research indicates that the choice doesn’t make a difference in long-term survival rates.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)—the operation many people know as “bypass surgery”—is the most durable method of restoring blood flow to the heart when its arteries are narrowed or blocked by fatty plaques. When more than one artery is affected, CABG can prevent a heart attack and help the patient live longer without recurring symptoms.