Professional
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In the Industry Vocabulary Test
LIMA
Pronunciation: LYE-mah
Also written as: LIMA — Left Internal Mammary Artery
Arterial graft commonly used in coronary artery bypass surgery, harvested from the chest wall.
Full Definition
The left internal mammary artery is the preferred arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting, particularly for revascularization of the left anterior descending artery. LIMA grafts demonstrate superior long-term patency compared to venous grafts and significantly improve patient survival. Harvesting the LIMA requires careful anesthetic management to prevent lung injury and maintain hemodynamic stability during single-lung ventilation.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from RIMA and other arterial grafts in surgical documentation.
In Context
- "LIMA harvest was completed without complications using skeletonization technique." — Operative report
- "Post-LIMA harvest, the patient developed a small pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement." — Post-operative complication note
Also known as
left IMA
left internal thoracic artery
Don't confuse with
RIMA (right internal mammary artery)
radial artery