Gastroepiploic artery graft in coronary artery bypass grafting.

The right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) has been recognized as a suitable and reliable conduit for coronary bypass surgery. From a sizable number of experiences, we know the use of this artery does not increase surgical risk, and no gastric ischemia nor abdominal complications occur with takedown of the GEA. This artery undergoes less significant arteriosclerosis and demonstrates physiological adaptability as seen in the internal thoracic artery (ITA). From our experience with over 1,500 GEA grafts, the operative mortality was 1.26%, and 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rates were 91.7%, 81.4%, and 71.3% respectively, while the cardiac death-free survival rates were 95.8%, 91.7%, and 88.6%, respectively. The cumulative patency rate of the GEA graft was 98.5% at 1 month, 93.7% at 1 year, 86.2% at 5 years, and 70.2% at 10 years. The GEA graft is a safe and effective arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).