We can debate on my PA’s surgical cap, since I am a diehard Eagles fan, but one thing that should we should never debate is the importance of complete arterial revascularization when performing coronary artery bypass surgery. This means using the internal mammary arteries and the radial artery, over the use of saphenous vein whenever possible.

 

Patients who receive arterial grafting have a lower chance of requiring future coronary interventions. The radial artery is particularly underutilized in the U.S., despite having proven superior outcomes to saphenous vein grafts. In this picture, Philip Dolcemascolo, PA-C, is using an advanced technique known as “endoscopic radial artery harvest” which allows him to visualize and harvest the radial artery without making a long incision in the arm, thus minimalizing trauma to the patient’s arm.

 

Very few centers in the United States have the experience and expertise to perform minimally invasive, endoscopic radial artery harvest.