Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography of the left internal mammary artery graft

Med Ultrason. 2013 Mar;15(1):45-50. doi: 10.11152/mu.2013.2066.151.ap1tde2.

Abstract

Assessment of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft patency currently requires invasive investigation through coronary angiography. In the last years the successful application of noninvasive Doppler spectrum analysis has been reported for patency assessment of the LIMA graft after myocardial revascularization. Echocardiography is considered to be a sensitive noninvasive screening modality to diagnose critical narrowing of LIMA grafts and angiography should be reserved for cases in which Doppler echocardiography fails to visualize the LIMA or reveals an abnormal flow pattern.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Graft Rejection / diagnostic imaging*
  • Graft Rejection / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Mammary Arteries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mammary Arteries / transplantation*
  • Myocardial Revascularization / adverse effects*
  • Myocardial Revascularization / methods*
  • Ultrasonography