THERMOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT IN CORONARY SURGERY
Aim: was to study possibilities of using thermographic equipment (TE) in coronary surgery (for evaluating coronary arteries' condition, quality of formed anastomosis and revascularization efficiency). We examined 38 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization in condition of extracorporeal circulation. Intraoperatively investigated 164 distal anastomosis of autotransplants with coronary artery (CA): 126 of which were vein autotransplant (great saphenous vein (GSV)), 38 - arterial autotransplant (left internal mammary artery (LIMA) - anterior interventricular branch (AIB)). Absence of rough technical variations has been confirmed in all cases but one, when the leak as a thermal spot of extravasation was found. In all 38 patients absence of thermal gradients on the surface of various myocardium area after reperfusion of myocardium was noted, which is perhaps (in our opinion) the sign of complete revascularization of myocardium. Using of the TE was especially effective in detection of coronary arteries in cases when it was impossible by the conventional visual examination and epicardium palpation in patients with postinfarction adhesive process in pericardium (Dressler syndrome) or thick epicardium fat layer. In 2 patients with postinfarction in left ventricular aneurism the TE helped to distinguish viable myocardium from the scar. Conclusion: the usage of the TE during a surgery is quite effective in examination of coronary arteries condition on a real-time basis, quality of distal anastomosis made, and adequacy of myocardial perfusion after its revascularization.