During surgery for lung cancer in a patient who had undergone coronary arte
ry bypass grafting through the descending aorta by left thoracotomy, we mea
sured graft bypass blood now from the descending aorta under intraaortic ba
lloon pump (IABP) assistance. Under IABP assistance, the diastolic waveform
changed to a spiky pattern with a sharp drop in blood flow of approximatel
y 16% compared to that without LABP assistance. We report changes in graft
flow pattern during IABP assistance when the graft is placed from the desce
nding aorta. (Ann Thorac Surg 2000;70:980-2) (C) 2000 by The Society of Tho
racic Surgeons.