The role of intraoperative high-frequency epicardial echocardiography during coronary artery revascularization

The intraoperative evaluation of the technical adequacy of coronary artery bypass graft anastomoses has been limited by a lack of suitable tools. To evaluate the role of intraoperative high-frequency epicardial echocardiography we examined 82 coronary artery bypass graft anastomoses in 29 patients s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 1987-11, Vol.76 (5 Pt 2), p.V33-V38
Main Authors: Hiratzka, L F, McPherson, D D, Brandt, 3rd, B, Lamberth, Jr, W C, Sirna, S, Marcus, M L, Kerber, R E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronary Artery Bypass
Coronary Vessels - pathology
Echocardiography - methods
Graft Occlusion, Vascular - diagnosis
Humans
Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis
Intraoperative Period
Myocardial Revascularization
Pericardium - physiopathology
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Summary:The intraoperative evaluation of the technical adequacy of coronary artery bypass graft anastomoses has been limited by a lack of suitable tools. To evaluate the role of intraoperative high-frequency epicardial echocardiography we examined 82 coronary artery bypass graft anastomoses in 29 patients shortly before or just after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Minor defects that did not compromise the lumen of the anastomoses were seen in two patients. One major technical error, a near total occlusion of an internal mammary-to-coronary artery anastomosis, was not apparent on external inspection, but was clearly identified with high-frequency epicardial echocardiography. This was revised immediately. Thus, high-frequency epicardial echocardiography permits the intraoperative evaluation of coronary artery bypass graft anastomoses so that technical errors can be quickly identified and corrected.
ISSN:0009-7322