PURPOSE: To study the value of Doppler echocardiography as a tool for the evaluation of left internal thoracic artery graft (LITAG) patency in patients who underwent coronary revascularization using minimally invasive bypass surgery without extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: The first 12 consecutive patients were studied after coronary artery bypass surgery using a 5 MHz Doppler transducer. Doppler signals for the systolic and diastolic flow velocities were preferably obtained in the second intercostal space. All patients underwent coronary angiography while hospitalized. RESULTS: The exam was feasible in 93% of patients. Doppler flow pattern was predominantly diastolic (pattern A) in patients with patent anastomoses (6/7). In patients with occluded anastomoses (4/4) Doppler flow pattern was predominantly systolic (pattern B) (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Internal thoracic artery flow pattern as measured by Doppler echocardiography after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft surgery is an accurate method for identifying LITAG patency.
PURPOSE: To study the value of Doppler echocardiography as a tool for the evaluation of left internal thoracic artery graft (LITAG) patency in patients who underwent coronary revascularization using minimally invasive bypass surgery without extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: The first 12 consecutive patients were studied after coronary artery bypass surgery using a 5 MHz Doppler transducer. Doppler signals for the systolic and diastolic flow velocities were preferably obtained in the second intercostal space. All patients underwent coronary angiography while hospitalized. RESULTS: The exam was feasible in 93% of patients. Doppler flow pattern was predominantly diastolic (pattern A) in patients with patent anastomoses (6/7). In patients with occluded anastomoses (4/4) Doppler flow pattern was predominantly systolic (pattern B) (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Internal thoracic artery flow pattern as measured by Doppler echocardiography after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft surgery is an accurate method for identifying LITAG patency.
Authors: Jose Sebastião de Abreu; Nayara Lima Pimentel; Jordana Magalhães Siqueira; Carlos Newton Diógenes Pinheiro; Teresa Cristina Pinheiro Diógenes; José Nogueira Paes Junior Journal: Arq Bras Cardiol Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 2.000