Post mediastinal radiation coronary artery disease and its effects on arterial conduits.

Therapeutic mediastinal radiation predisposes patients to an increased risk of developing premature coronary artery disease. Other structures surrounding the heart within the radiation field are also susceptible to injury. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing concurrent damage to the internal mammary artery that, in this particular group of patients, may not be the ideal arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery.