This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Alistair Royse Colin Royse Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Royse, A. Articles by Royse, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Royse, A. Articles by Royse, C. Related Collections Cerebral protection Coronary disease Great vessels Valve disease Related Article

A standardised intraoperative ultrasound examination of the aorta and proximal coronary arteries

^a Cardiovascular Therapeutics Unit, Department of Pharmacology, The University Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria 3010, Australia
^b Departments of Cardiac Surgery and Anaesthesia, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia

*Corresponding author. Tel./fax: +61 (3) 9029 7108.

E-mail address: Alistair.Royse{at}mh.org.au (A. Royse).

The aim of this study was to describe a standardised intraoperative ultrasound examination of the aorta and proximal coronary arteries for use in cardiac surgery using a handheld probe, to be used in conjunction with intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography. Most cardiac surgery operations involving the use of cardiopulmonary bypass will result in significant manipulation of the ascending aorta with potential atheroma dislodgement which may result in atheroembolism. Accurate detection and localisation of aortic atheroma allows the surgeon to adjust the site of aortic manipulation and potentially avoid dislodging atheroma. A single surgeon experience from 1996 to 2005 of 1455 intraoperative ultrasound examinations. Coronary surgery 1214, valve surgery 369, aortic surgery 30, congenital surgery 74 and reoperations 105. Stroke 13, TIA 2, confusion 56, coma 24 h 8. In 591, ultrasound data were recorded in a custom database. Age 66±0.5 (25–93) years, 69% males and coronary surgery 77%. Atheroma increased with distance from the aortic valve (P<0.001), and with age, (P<0.001). One third of patients more than 70 years had moderate or severe atheroma detected in the regions imaged by this technique. A standardised intraoperative ultrasound examination of the aorta and proximal coronary arteries is described.

Key Words: Aortic arch; Echocardiography; Neurological injury; Stroke; Ultrasound

Related Article

ICVTS on-line discussion A

Stefanos Demertzis
Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery 2006 5: 704. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Demertzis ICVTS on-line discussion A Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, December 1, 2006; 5(6): 704 - 704. [Full Text] [PDF]