To answer the question first we need to understand some of the differences in veins and arteries. The arteries in the systemic system, deliver oxygenated blood from the heart, in a high pressure low volume stream to the capillaries found throughout the body.
The systemic veins carry the deoxygenated blood from the capillary beds in a low pressure, high volume, valve controlled flow, back to the heart.
From there, the heart pumps the deoxygenated blood through pulmonary artery to be taken to the lungs to replenish the oxygen in the hemoglobin.
Overview of three coronary bypass grafts
Grafts are common procedures performed to improve heart function. Veins or arteries are …show more content…
Another graft, radial artery graft (RA) has the benefit of being arterial with less risk of infection.
Comparison
The saphenous vein is a long superficial vein in the leg. Because vein have valve like structures that control the flow of blood in venous vessels the graft must be reversed to permit the flow of blood. This procedure only remains patent or open in a small number of people after ten years. Patency is improved when extremely careful surgical practice is used to ensure there is no damage at the time of implantation. It’s important to use antithrombotic therapy to reduce the risk of blockage.
The radial artery’s length and diameter is superior to other arterial and venous grafts. It is a good size matc to the recipient coronary vessels and is easily harvested by endoscope or through open methods. This artery has a thick muscular wall adding durability and is suitably for both coronary and aortic anastomoses. The RA is harvested from the non-dominant hand so the patient has no ambulatory problems after surgery. Also infection of the wound is