Internal Mammary Artery Use in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Room for Improvement

A large database study shows regional, sex, and ethnic disparities in the use of this gold-standard conduit.

Use of an internal mammary artery (IMA) during coronary artery bypass grafting is a nationally endorsed quality indicator. Nonetheless, the frequency of IMA use nationally has not been evaluated consistently.

In this cross-sectional observational study, investigators assessed current rates of IMA use and the effects of hospital and patient characteristics on these rates. Using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, the researchers examined data on 541,368 CABG procedures performed at 745 hospitals from 2002 through 2005.

At least one IMA was used in 92.4% of patients, and bilateral IMA was used in 4.0%, with rates of use increasing over time. Hospital volume was not significantly associated with IMA use. IMA…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)