Intra-operative Coronary Angioscopy

A goal of this article is to demonstrate how easily angioscopy can be incorporated into coronary artery bypass grafting. Intra-operative angioscopy has been used in a number of applications including prebypass arterial evaluation, inspection of the interior of the vein graft, examination of graft to coronary anastomoses and outflow. And adjunctive guidance during adjunctive revascularisation procedures. Despite promising initial trials of the use of intraoperative angioscopy, this technology has not been widely adopted because of perceived demanding technique, excessive effort required, and potential complications. Moreover, the possible benefits of the additional information gained during cardiac surgery operations have thus far only been partially demonstrated.