Internal Mammary Artery

The internal mammary artery (IMA) is a large blood vessel located in the chest that supplies blood to the heart. It is the longest and most significant artery within the human body, supplying a significant portion of the entire cardiac output. It is typically used in cardiac bypass surgery to help restore optimum blood flow to the heart. Bypassing the blocked coronary artery with the IMA ensures that the heart receives a high-quality, oxygen-rich blood supply, which is incorporated into the normal blood circulation. This can significantly improve the heart's function and alleviate symptoms caused by coronary artery disease.