Doppler sonographic examination of the internal mammary artery graft: comparison of supraclavicular and high intercostal signals.

In a group of 22 patients, Doppler signals from the proximal part of the internal mammary artery graft were studied from the supraclavicular fossa as well as from the high intercostal spaces. An adequate signal was found more often from the supraclavicular position. Both positions showed higher peak systolic than peak diastolic velocities. Transition of the flow to the typical coronary flow pattern with higher peak diastolic velocity seems to occur in lower parts of the graft.