Assessment of saphenous vein grafts flow by Doppler echocardiography

In an effort to evaluate flow characteristics of the saphenous vein grafts (SVG) after coronary artery bypass grafting, we performed duplex scanning of SVG which were anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery in 12 patients, and compared those indexes with 34 internal thoracic artery grafts (ITAG). The SVG were observed with a 7.5 MHz duplex scanner through the anterior intercostal space. The diameter of the vessel, systolic peak velocity, and diastolic peak velocity were recorded in both groups, and systolic flow volume, diastolic flow volume, and velocity ratio were calculated. The systolic and diastolic peak velocity of SVG were predominantly lower than ITAG. No difference in the diameter and flow ratio could not be demonstrated between 2 groups. The flow volume of SVG were also predominantly lower than that of ITAG throughout cardiac cycle. This study reveals that advanced stenotic change were caused in the SVG group and suggest the occurrence of vein grafts disease long after coronary artery bypass grafting.