Radial artery beats saphenous vein for CABG: meta-analysis

Clear differences became apparent with 10-year follow-up, researchers say 
Clare Pain
two surgeons in masks concentrating during an operation

Using the radial artery rather than the saphenous vein when performing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) improves cardiovascular outcomes including mortality, a meta-analysis shows. 

Individual data for 1036 patients (mean age 67, 70% male) in five randomised controlled trials, including the Australian RAPCO trial, were pooled for the study, the authors report in JAMA