Imaging And Applied Anatomic Study Of Posterior Intercostal Artery

Objective: The data obtained by utilizing color Doppler ultrasonography and anatomic observation of the posterior intercostal artery is provided for coronary artery bypass grafting.Methods: The left eighth, ninth, tenth posterior intercostal artery and some branches of coronary artery were observed and measured on 30 adult cadavers. The left eighth, ninth, tenth posterior intercostal arteries of the 50 normal subjects including 27 male and 23 female(mean age 29.1±9.7 years) are measured by ultrasonograph. Experimental Apparatus and Parameters: PHILIPS color ultrasonograph apparatus (American PHILIPS Company) is applied in this study. Set the machine to the 'blood vessel' condition. Probe frequency ranged from 5 to 12 MHz and color Doppler frequency is 2.0～4.0MHz. The measured position is intercostal space. The inner diameter and blood flow velocity of posterior intercostal artery: Vs, Vd, RI of posterior intercostal artery are measured. Statistic analysis: All the data are dealt with JMTJFX 10.32 software. T-test analysis is applied in comparison of different groups.Results: The mean inner diameter of the left eighth posterior intercostal artery on cadavers was 1.34mm, 1.19 mm and 1.06 mm at it's the first, the second, the third respectively. In the same way, the mean inner diameter of the left ninth posterior intercostal artery on cadavers was 1.38mm, 1.21 mm and 1.06 mm, and the tenth was 1.36mm, 1.21mm, 1.08ram. The mean diameter of the anterior septal rami (anterior interventricular branches), the obtuse marginal branch(the left marginal branch), the anterior right ventricular rami (marginal branches), the posterior interventricular branches and LAD at apex of the heart is 1.25mm, 1.23mm, 1.17mm, 1.34mm, and 1.29mm respectively. There are no significant difference in the inner diameter, Vs, Vd, and RI of these left posterior intercostal artery by ultrasonography. Diameters of these left posterior intercostal artery become thinner gradually from its commencement to the end. Conclusions: 1. The diameter of the left posterior intercostal artery is approximated to that of the main branches of the coronary artery. Therefore the located graft left posterior intercostal artery was a suitable conduit for coronary revascularization of the posterior part of the heart. As dislocated graft it would bridge between ascending aorta and any coronary artery. 2. Color Doppler ultrasonic is useful to explore structures and Hemodynamics changes of the posterior intercostal artery. 3. The best position to examine two dimensional parameters of posterior intercostal artery is intercostal space. 4. The best position to examine Hemodynamics parameters of vertebral column is vertebral column side of intercostal space. 5. Color Doppler energy is of significant value in clearly displaying the posterior intercostal artery. 6. To explore the posterior intercostal artery by Color Doppler ultrasonic has even more potential in clinical research.