Twin Cities Heart and Lung: Endoscopic Vein or Artery Harvest

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Heart Procedures

Lung Procedures

Vascular Procedures

Glossary of Medical Terms

The surgeons at Twin Cities Heart and Lung believe in patient education. We've designed our site to help you learn about procedures so you can understand them and proceed with your treatment with the knowledge to put your fears to rest.

List of Heart Procedures:

Coronary Artery Bypass

Endoscopic Vein or Artery Harvest

Heart Transplant

Heart Valve Repair and Replacement

MAZE procedure

Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass

Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization

Ventricular Restoration

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Endoscopic Vein or Artery Harvest

When you have Coronary Artery Bypass (CAB) surgery, another blood vessel is needed to go around your heart's blockage. By using a fiber optic camera, the surgeon can harvest the blood vessel through a much smaller incision than is necessary with previous techniques; this is called an endoscopic harvest. The replacement blood vessel will be taken from your arm or leg, depending on the exact nature of your case.

When the blockage is located on the front, upper part of your heart, your Internal Mammary Artery (IMA) is the best blood vessel to use. The advantage is that it can be left in its original position, since it can reach to the heart with minor rearranging. If you have multiple blockages, the radial artery in your lower arm can be harvested, or the surgeon may choose to use a vein as well.

Veins to be used as conduits are harvested from your upper and lower legs. An incision is made on the side of your leg and the saphenous vein is taken out. After surgery the flow of blood in your arms and legs naturally re-routes itself through other existing vessels.

Normally, the incision that is made in your leg or arm needs to be large enough for the surgeon's assistant to see the vessel and remove it. If, however, an endoscope is used inside your leg or arm, it provides greater visualization, thus allowing a smaller incision. Having a smaller incision will mean reduced surgical trauma, decreased scarring and a lowered chance of infection.

Before and After an Endoscopic Vein or Artery Harvest