Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):461-469 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.007

Effect of Radial Artery Grafting on Clinical Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: a Prospective Study on a Sample from Yemen.

Abeer Shaiaa Naji Saadan^a, Nabeel Y. Al-Madwahi^b

^a The Yemeni Board of Medical Specializations, Scientific Council of Surgery, Sana'a, Yemen

^b Yemeni Board of Medical Specializations, Department of Vascular Surgery, Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen

Background: Conduit selection is a critical determinant of clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The radial artery has emerged as a preferred arterial conduit because of superior biological properties and patency compared with saphenous vein grafts. However, prospective data evaluating shortterm clinical outcomes and functional recovery associated with radial artery use remain limited in routine clinical practice.

Methods: This prospective descriptive study included adult patients undergoing elective CABG at a tertiary cardiac surgery center. Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were collected. Cardiac function was assessed using electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography before surgery and during follow-up. Patients were followed for 3-6 months. Clinical outcomes, postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, and patient-reported quality of life were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests, with a significance level set at p ≤0.05.

Results: A total of 22 patients were included, all of whom completed follow-up. Radial artery grafts were utilized in 90.9% of cases. Significant postoperative improvement was observed in both electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings (p <0.001). Minor postoperative complications occurred in 31.8% of patients, with no reported cases of mortality, myocardial infarction, or stroke during the follow-up period. Quality of life improved in 95.5% of patients. The overall procedural success rate was 90.9%.

Conclusions: The use of the radial artery as a conduit in CABG was safe and effective, resulting in significant improvement in cardiac function, low complication rates, and enhanced short-term quality of life. These findings support broader adoption of the radial artery as a preferred arterial conduit in suitable patients undergoing CABG. © 2026, ČKS.

Keywords: Coronary artery bypass grafting, Clinical outcomes, Radial artery graft

Received: December 27, 2025; Revised: January 20, 2026; Accepted: January 21, 2026; Prepublished online: August 25, 2026; Published: August 31, 2026  Show citation