Ultrasonic aspiration in coronary artery surgery

With the aid of an ultrasonically powered aspiration device, the coronary artery to undergo distal anastomosis during aortocoronary bypass grafting can be exposed in the beating heart prior to institution of cardiopulmonary bypass and systemic administration of heparin. The thick adipose tissue and bridging muscles of the superficial layer are removed with almost no bleeding, leaving the vascular elements intact. The optimal site for anastomosis of the coronary artery is readily exposed and confirmed, and aortic cross-clamp time is minimized.