role of intraoperative epiaortic echo in decision making in coronary artery bypass surgery

ABSTRACT

Objective: A cerebrovascular accident [CVA] is a devastating complication of coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] and a major cause for morbidity and mortality. Aortic manipulation, cannulation, and clamping during CABG may lead to release of atheromatous material from the ascending aorta, which may cause a CVA. This study assessed the hypothesis that the use of intraoperative epiaortic ultrasonography [EAUS] would supplement imaging information with that derived from manual aortic palpation and influence the surgical decision-making approach accordingly