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Morphological and histopathological comparison of left and right internal thoracic artery with implications on their use for coronary surgery

^a Department of Pathology, Klinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
^b Department of Cardiac Surgery, Klinikum Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
^c Department of Cardiac Surgery of the Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Klinikum Großhadern, Munich, Germany

^* Corresponding author. Tel.: +49-821-4002-160; fax: +49-821-4002-162
bruno.maerkl{at}pathologie.zk.augsburg-med.de

Goal of this study was the morphological comparison of the left (LITA) and right internal thoracic artery (RITA). Both ITAs were taken out in 20 autopsy cases. Sections over the entire length of vessel were cut and histomorphological examination was performed. There were no significant differences between the LITA and RITA concerning length, diameter, wall thickness and structure. The occurrence rates of atherosclerosis were equal. Four vessels showed luminal narrowing of more than 50%. There was a good correlation between the length of the sternum and the ITA. According to our findings the morphology of LITA and RITA is similar.

Key Words: Internal thoracic artery; Morphology; Coronary artery; Surgery