Radial Artery Harvesting
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
What do I need to know about radial artery harvesting?
Radial artery harvesting is surgery to remove a healthy part of your radial artery to create a graft. The radial artery is a large blood vessel in your forearm near your thumb. A graft is healthy tissue taken from another part of your body used to replace damaged or diseased tissue. Radial artery harvesting is done during coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery.
How do I prepare for radial artery harvesting?
- Your surgeon will tell you how to prepare. Your surgeon may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. Arrange to have someone drive you home when you are discharged.
- Tell your surgeon about all medicines you currently take. Your surgeon will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the surgery, and when to stop. Your surgeon will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery.
- Tell your surgeon about any allergies you have, including to anesthesia or medicines. You may be given medicines to relax your blood vessels and prevent artery spasms.
- Your surgeon will tell you if you need any tests before your surgery, and when to have them.
- Your surgeon may use an ultrasound or a modified Allen test (MAT) to check the blood flow in your radial artery. An ultrasound uses sound waves to show your artery and how well blood moves through it. During a MAT, you will be asked to make a fist while your surgeon presses on your ulnar and radial arteries. The ulnar artery is in your forearm near your pinky. Your hand will become pale. You will be asked to relax your hand as pressure is taken off the ulnar artery. Your surgeon will monitor how long it takes your hand to return to its normal color.
What will happen during radial artery harvesting?
- You will be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. Your surgeon will make 1 or more incisions in your forearm. Your surgeon may insert an endoscope (long tube with a camera on the end) into the incision. Your surgeon may instead make 1 or more larger incisions to open your forearm.
- Your surgeon will move tissue, other blood vessels, or muscles out of the way to see the artery. Your surgeon will clamp or tie off the section of the artery that will be removed. Your surgeon will remove part of your radial artery. Medicines may be put into the removed artery to prevent blood clots or spasms.
- Your surgeon will tie off the ends of the remaining radial artery with sutures. Your surgeon will then remove the endoscope if it was used. Your surgeon may place a drain on your forearm to prevent a hematoma (collection of blood). The incisions on your forearm will be closed with stitches and may be covered with a bandage.
- Your surgeon will then perform CABG surgery. Your surgeon will sew the graft to your artery above and below the block. This allows blood to flow around the blocked area to your heart.
What should I expect after radial artery harvesting?
- Healthcare providers will monitor you for any problems. When healthcare providers see you are okay you will be taken to your hospital room. You will need to stay in the hospital for several days.
- Healthcare providers will monitor your harvest site for signs of infection or bleeding. Providers may check your hand function and look for signs of decreased blood flow. Tell providers right away if your fingers feel cold or numb, or if you have trouble moving your fingers. If your surgeon placed a drain in your arm, it may be removed 24 hours after surgery.
- You may need to walk around the same day of surgery, or the day after. Movement will help prevent blood clots. You may also be given exercises to do in bed. Do not get out of bed on your own until your healthcare provider says you can. Talk to healthcare providers before you get up the first time. They may need to help you stand up safely. When you are able to get up on your own, sit or lie down right away if you feel weak or dizzy. Press the call light button to let healthcare providers know you need help.
What are the risks of radial artery harvesting?
You may bleed more than expected or develop a hematoma. You may develop an infection at the harvest site. Blood vessels, muscles, or nerves in your forearm may be damaged. You may have severe loss of blood flow to your hand. This can cause loss of function, necrosis (tissue death) of your hand, or loss of the limb.
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