LIMA
Pronunciation: LYE-mah
Also written as: LIMA — left internal mammary artery
Left internal mammary artery, the preferred conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting due to excellent long-term patency.
Full Definition
LIMA (left internal mammary artery) is considered the gold standard conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery, particularly for grafting to the left anterior descending artery. This arterial graft demonstrates superior long-term patency rates compared to venous grafts, with 10-year patency rates exceeding 90%. The LIMA is typically harvested as a pedicled graft, meaning it remains attached to its origin from the left subclavian artery while being disconnected distally for anastomosis to the target coronary vessel. Its excellent performance is attributed to its resistance to atherosclerosis and ability to adapt flow to myocardial demand.
Usage
Usage note: Some institutions prefer LITA (left internal thoracic artery) to reflect updated anatomical nomenclature.
In Context
- "The LIMA to LAD graft showed excellent flow characteristics on intraoperative assessment." — operative note
- "Bilateral IMA grafting using both LIMA and RIMA provides superior long-term outcomes in appropriate patients." — surgical literature review