Use of Skeletonized Radial Artery Graft with the PAS-Port Proximal Anastomotic Device

Abstract

We report our initial experience with the PAS-Port proximal anastomosis system (Cardica Inc, Redwood City, CA) using full-skeletonized radial artery (RA) in patients requiring off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The PAS-Port system (Cardica Inc) was used in 25 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. All patients received at least one RA graft using the PAS-Port system on the proximal anastomosis. The radial arteries were harvested in a fully skeletonized fashion before loading to the PAS-Port system. Our attempt to use the PAS-Port system for proximal anastomosis of the RA was successful in 25 anastomoses. Postoperative angiography showed 24 grafts to be widely patent. During the mean postoperative follow-up of 9.2 +/- 3.1 months, there was no cardiac-related event in any patient. Mid-term patency collected from the first 8 patients was 87.5% (mean follow-up, 12.8 +/- 2.8 months). The PAS-Port system does not require aortic clamping and enables the creation of uniform and widely patent anastomosis with use of RA grafts.