Intraoperative transit-time flow measurement is not altered in venous bypass grafts covered by the eSVS mesh.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether the eSVS Mesh interferes with transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) assessing intraoperative coronary vein graft patency. METHODS: In four swine undergoing off-pump bypass grafting to the anterior descending coronary artery, five TTFMs were sequentially obtained on meshed and bare grafts at baseline and under Dobutamine stress at five separate locations on the graft in each animal. The Medistim VeriQ was used for TTFM. The grafts were examined for patency after the swine were killed. RESULTS: There was no difference in hemodynamics or TTFM either at baseline or under Dobutamine stress between the eSVS Mesh covered and uncovered grafts. Dobutamine, however, significantly increased hemodynamics and graft flow parameters measured from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The eSVS Mesh does not interfere with Doppler flow measurement in covered coronary vein grafts.