[Is preoperative evaluation of the internal mammary artery for suitability in coronary bypass surgery possible?].

The internal mammary artery (IMA) is the preferred conduit for coronary artery surgery due to its high patency rate. In order to determine the role of preoperative duplex investigation of the IMA, preoperative noninvasive measurements of IMA diameter, blood velocity and blood flow were performed bilaterally in 30 patients eligible for coronary surgery. The diameter of the left and right IMA was 2.1(+) -0.2 mm and 2.2(+) -0.2 mm at the third intercostal space, respectively. Preoperative mean flow was 51 ml/min in the left and 54 ml/min in the right IMA. Due to the close proximity of the IMA to the sternal border (8 mm), care must be taken not to injure the IMA during routine sternal closure. In conclusion, noninvasive assessment of the patency of the IMA is possible prior to coronary artery surgery.