Cardiac surgery

The coronary arteries are the major vessels that supply the heart with blood. When these arteries become damaged or diseased, usually due to a build-up of fatty deposits called plaques, it is known as coronary artery disease (CAD). These deposits can narrow the coronary arteries causing diminished blood flow to the heart, eventually leading to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or even a heart attack. CAD is the most common type of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women.

During coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), the most commonly performed open heart operation in the United States, blood flow is rerouted through a new artery or vein that is grafted around diseased sections of the coronary arteries to increase blood flow to the heart muscle tissue. Performing a flow measurement after completion of the graft is the quickest and most accurate way to verify graft patency while the patient is still in the operating room.