Successful angioplasty and stenting of bilateral internal mammary artery grafts from the left radial approach. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We describe a case of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting from the left radial approach in a patient with effort angina due to two tight stenoses at the distal anastomosis site of the internal mammary artery grafts. The left radial approach has several advantages compared with the conventional femoral approach: a lower rate of vascular complications and an easier vascular access to the left internal mammary artery graft. The distance from the access site to the origin of the artery is shorter and involves less angulation than the femoral approach. The radial approach is not only safe but it enables faster patient mobilisation and seems also useful in reducing management costs with a hospital stay that can be reduced to 6 h in low-risk cases.