Objective
We compared electron microscopic histologic changes of the radial artery grafts in non‐diabetic and diabetic patients.
Methods
Thirty‐six patients were divided into three groups according to their diabetic status (Group I had no diabetes mellitus [DM], Group II had type two DM and HbA1c levels were <7.5%, and Group III had type 2 DM but HbA1c levels were >7.5%). Distal parts of radial artery grafts were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy in a blind fashion by two histologists. Electron microscopic scores were compared among the groups.
Results
Radial artery electron microscopic scores were significantly different between group 1, 2 and 1, 3 and 2, 3 (p = 0.028, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001). In linear regression analysis, duration of DM (p = 0.027) and fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.001) were found as independent risk factors for histologic changes of radial artery grafts.
Conclusion
Duration of DM and poor glycemic control were found to be associated with radial artery electron microscopic changes. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12761 (J Card Surg 2016;31:410–415)