Radial artery from left subclavian artery in redo coronary artery bypass grafting.

In redo coronary artery bypass grafting a left anterior thoracotomy can be used, if necessary, to avoid a dangerous repeat median sternotomy. In 2 patients with a well-functioning left internal mammary artery graft to a left anterior descending artery attached to the sternum, a radial artery was used with the left subclavian artery as the blood source. This technique can be used successfully in selected cases when a left thoracotomy is advisable and an arterial graft is preferred to a saphenous vein.