Intraoperative detection of embedded coronary arteries in MIDCAB using a color Doppler microprobe

Intraoperative detection of deeply embedded coronary arteries is difficult, especially in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafts. This report describes an effective method to identify embedded coronary arteries by using a color Doppler microprobe. Five embedded left anterior descending coronary arteries were successfully identified by intraoperative ultrasonography. We believe that the color Doppler microprobe is helpful for surgeons in this difficult situation.