Intraoperative coronary artery imaging with infrared camera in off-pump CABG

To achieve high quality off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), thermal coronary artery imaging using a new generation infrared camera was used and anastomotic status was assessed intraoperatively. In 12 patients who underwent off-pump CABG, 18 grafts (11 internal thoracic, 2 radial, 2 gastroepiploic arteries, and 3 saphenous veins) were evaluated following completion of anastomoses. All grafts were clearly visualized and anastomotic and flow status were observed with local epicardial cooling by CO2 blower in the normothermic heart. Seventeen grafts had no problems and one internal thoracic artery graft showed anastomotic failure that was successfully revised. All grafts were restudied by conventional catheter angiography postoperatively, and all were patent. Intraoperative coronary imaging with a highly sensitive infrared camera is noninvasive and effective for real time evaluation in the operating room. This results in more successful off-pump CABG.