Becky,

Thanks for your question.  Sorry to hear about the recurring heart problems.

If the doctors are unable to find a vein graft in your legs or arms, they will often use the radial artery of one or both arms.  This artery feeds blood to the hand which is very rich in blood supply, because there is a second major artery that supplies blood - the ulnar artery.  So, if the radial is used, the hand still has enough blood to function normally. 

Another possibility is the use of one or both internal mammary arteries located on the inside of the chest wall.  They often leave the closer side attached (the proximal side) and attach the other end (distal end) to the coronary artery. 

Many doctors feel that arteries do better in the long run when used as grafts in heart surgery.  They differ a lot from vein grafts. They are thicker, have a muscular wall, and are more elastic, allowing them to expand with each heart beat. 

Best wishes.

Martin Cane, M.D.