INTERNAL MAMMARY ARTERY - 100-PERCENT VISUALIZATION WITH NEW ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY

We report our experience in visualizing the internal mammary artery (I MA) with new enhanced Doppler technology. Twenty-three patients withou t previous coronary artery bypass grafting formed the study group. Bil ateral transthoracic two-dimensional and color flow Doppler IMA images were acquired from multiple intercostal spaces with a prototype ultra sound machine equipped with coherent beam formation technology. In all patients, the IMA was followed from its origin for an average of 15 c m. To our knowledge, a high rate of direct visualization (100%) of the IMA has not been reported previously. Noninvasive ultrasound assessme nt of the IMA may reduce the need for invasive preoperative testing fo r patency and length and allow postoperative assessment of coronary ar tery flow reserve.