The significance of subclavian artery injection prior to surgical myocardial revascularization.

Abstract

Successful arterial revascularization using the internal thoracic artery is dependent on unobstructed inflow through the subclavian artery. Systematic physical examination should discover subclavian stenosis; however, simple routine injection into the orifice of the subclavian artery during the diagnostic catheterization may avoid a catastrophic outcome.