Evaluation of graft patency during minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting with Doppler flow analysis Jeffrey C Lin, MD, Don L Fisher, MD, Michael F Szwerc, MD, James A Magovern, MD The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Volume 70, Issue 4, Pages 1350-1354 (October 2000) DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(00)01720-3
Fig 1 The 1-mm, 20-MHz Doppler probe is quite flexible and can be passed through a small metal suction tip to provide stability. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 70, 1350-1354DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(00)01720-3)
Fig 2 Normal flow velocity pattern in a left internal mammary to left anterior descending artery graft. There is pan-diastolic flow with a velocity of more than 30 cm/second, indicating a patent graft. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 70, 1350-1354DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(00)01720-3)
Fig 3 The tracing shows a spike with high initial systolic flow velocity but no significant diastolic flow. This indicates obstruction of the anastomosis resulting in poor diastolic flow. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 70, 1350-1354DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(00)01720-3)
Fig 4 The tracing shows disorganized, low velocity flow indicating inadequate inflow to the mammary artery. This indicates that there is a problem with the mammary pedicle, such as a twisted pedicle, a proximal hematoma, or a dissected mammary artery. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 70, 1350-1354DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(00)01720-3)