PEDICLED ARTERIAL GRAFTS IN CORONARY SURGERY - POSTOPERATIVE ECHO COLOR-DOPPLER STUDY

In 1994 a mid-term postoperative echo color-Doppler ultrasound was per formed to check the pedicled arterial conduits used in coronary surger y, such as the left and right internal mammary arteries (LIMA, RIMA) a nd the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA). This evaluation was made in 31 patients with a previous nonemergent complete arterial myocardial revascularization. The pedicled arterial grafts studied were 71 (31 LI MA, 15 RIMA and 25 RGEA). The Doppler spectrum (combined systolic/dias tolic waveform), the diameter and the flow of every arterial graft was always identified (100% of detection) and there was a statistical sig nificative difference between mean RGEA flow versus mean LIMA. and RIM A flow (p < 0.05). All the conduits studied were characterized by a go od diastolic and end-diastolic velocity, evidence of normal graft pate ncy. The postoperative angiogram of the LIMA, RIMA and RGEA conduits w as performed in 27/31 (87.1%) patients and it showed 100% patency of a rterial grafts used and of anastomoses. The echo color-Doppler data we re compared to postoperative angiographic results. The echo color-Dopp ler imaging of the pedicled arterial grafts used in coronary surgery s eems to be a promising technique for the postoperative serial assessme nt of the LIMA, RIMA and RGEA conduit function, because it is noninvas ive, safe, easy, quick to perform and the preliminary results of echo color-Doppler ultrasound versus angiography are satisfactory.