conduit
Vessel or graft used to bypass blocked arteries, typically harvested from the patient's own body.
Full Definition
In cardiac surgery, a conduit refers to any vessel or graft material used to create a bypass around stenotic or occluded coronary arteries. Common autologous conduits include the left and right internal mammary arteries (LIMA/RIMA), saphenous vein from the leg, and radial artery from the forearm. Each conduit type has specific characteristics regarding longevity, patency rates, and harvesting considerations. The choice of conduit depends on target vessel, patient anatomy, comorbidities, and surgeon preference. Arterial conduits generally demonstrate superior long-term patency compared to venous conduits.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse with anastomosis, which refers to the actual connection point between vessels.
In Context
- "The LIMA conduit was anastomosed to the LAD in an end-to-side fashion." — Operative report
- "Saphenous vein conduit patency was assessed at one-year follow-up." — Research paper