Letters to the Editor: Harvesting internal mammarian artery by using ultrasound harmonic scalpel: experience of 154 cases

Early and late outcomes of eligible trials with large number of patients clearly expose that internal mammarian artery (IMA) is the most ideal coronary artery graft due to patency rates and effects on the cardiac functions. This valuable artery must be harvested by using minimal invasive approach. An injury to the IMA endothelium can activate a coagulation cascade, which can result in thrombus formation thus leading to early graft failure. Moreover, the damage to the endothelium can also promote the atherosclerotic process, thus eventually leading to the long- term development of graft stenosis or occlusion (1). There are lots of publications and articles about harvesting IMA by using different approaches, techniques, devices (2-5).