Preparation of the internal mammary artery with the IMAG Fogarty balloon catheter.
BACKGROUND
Demonstrate the augmentation of flow of the internal mammary artery (IMA) after inflation of the graft with an atraumatic balloon catheter (Fogarty IMAG balloon catheter) before performing the anastomosis IMA-coronary artery, in coronary artery bypass operated patients.


METHODS
In 1992 and 1993 a group of 87 coronary artery bypass patients underwent dilatation of the IMA with the Fogarty balloon catheter. The flow of the IMA was measured during 1 minute before and after balloon dilatation, prior to go on cardiopulmonary bypass.


RESULTS
In all patients but one the flow increased after balloon dilatation. The mean free flow before dilatation was 52.8 ml/min (range 16-120 ml/min) and after balloon dilatation 122.6 ml/min (range 36-380 ml/min). The flow increased more than two folds which was of statistical significance (p<0.001). The hospital mortality was 6.8% (6 patients) not related with the mechanical manipulation of the arterial graft.


CONCLUSIONS
Balloon dilatation of IMA is an alternative in cases in which the IMA graft presented with: 1) low free flow, 2) small size and 3) arterial spasm. The IMAG balloon catheter has to be properly adjusted and the shear force regulated at 30 grams.
Abad
C
C
Departments of Cardio-Vascular Surgery, University Hospital de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Valerón
M E
ME
Cáceres
J J
JJ
Avalos
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007387:Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies