An unusual case of left internal thoracic artery (ITA) origin from the thyrocervical trunk (TCT) was detected during routine cadaver dissection. The variability of origin and course of ITA has less or more frequently been documented in the literature. However, the ITA origin from the TCT on the left side has been detected less commonly, making its dissection and preparation during coronary arte...

To guarantee sustainable international tourism market growth, challenges for international tourism advertisements (ITAs) include how and by whom they are made. Different to traditional ITAs, a new type of ITA has been created by the international tourists themselves; it contains not only pictures but also their own tour stories, and it is distributed via social media (e.g., Youtube.com). Howeve...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the survival benefit derived from using radial artery (RA) as a second arterial conduit in combination with internal thoracic artery (ITA), as opposed to ITA plus saphenous vein (SV) in men and women. METHODS We reviewed the 1996 to 2007 primary, nonsalvage coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) experience at Mercy Saint Vincent Medical Center (n = ...

BACKGROUND We sought to determine whether location of the second internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft used for bilateral ITA grafting affects mortality and morbidity of patients with 3-system coronary artery disease and to identify factors associated with second ITA location. METHODS AND RESULTS From January 1972 to June 2006, 3611 patients with 3-system coronary artery disease underwent bila...

BACKGROUND Observational studies suggest that skeletonization of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) can improve conduit flow and length and reduce deep sternal infections and postoperative pain. We performed a randomized, double-blind, within-patient comparison of skeletonized and nonskeletonized ITAs in patients undergoing coronary surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients (n = 48) undergoing bi...

Background. Internal thoracic artery (ITA) is a very useful conduit for coronary artery bypass artery (CABG), with excellent long-term patency. With the purpose to dilate the ITA graft and increase graft free flow (GFF) intraoperatively, we evaluated the usefulness of intraluminal injection of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, and compared with the conventional graft dilating agent papaverine. M...

OBJECTIVE In coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), insufficient bypass flow can be a cause of occlusion or string sign of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft. A patent saphenous vein (SV) graft from the ascending aorta can reduce the blood flow through the ITA graft, and may affect its long-term patency. In the present study, we examined the impact of the patent SV graft to the left coro...

BACKGROUND The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is a very useful conduit for coronary artery bypass artery (CABG), with excellent long-term patency. With the purpose to dilate the ITA graft and increase graft free flow (GFF) intraoperatively, we evaluated the usefulness of intraluminal injection of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, in comparison to the conventional graft dilating agent, papaverine...