A simple test to determine the efficiency of mammary artery grafts during operation

A simple test is presented to measure the efficiency of mammary artery-left anterior descending coronary artery anastomosis. While the aorta is still cross-clamped and a pronounced temperature gradient exists between the warm patient and the hypothermic heart, a thermoprobe is inserted into the apex of the heart and the flow through the mammary artery pedicle is released. Rapid warming of the cardiac apex indicates good function of the anastomosis.