Bypass Graft Mapping

Bypass Graft Mapping

A bypass graft is a surgical procedure where a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body is used to create a new pathway for blood flow, bypassing a blocked or narrowed artery. A bypass graft in the leg is typically performed to treat peripheral artery disease and can help reduce pain, improve leg function, and prevent amputation.This involves assessing veins in the leg or arm to determine their suitability as a bypass conduit.

Why we do this scan

The ultrasound can identify healthy veins, measure their diameter, and map their course, guiding the surgeon in choosing the best graft material and incision sites. Ultrasound mapping helps determine the best location for a bypass graft and assess the quality of potential donor veins, like the saphenous vein, ensuring it can function effectively as a graft. It helps surgeons plan bypass surgeries and evaluate the suitability of veins for grafting.

Why choose us

An experienced sonographer is crucial for accurate vein graft mapping because it requires a high level of skill in using ultrasound to assess the suitability of veins for bypass surgery. Accurate mapping helps avoid using compromised veins, which can lead to graft failure or wound complications. By optimizing graft selection and surgical planning, experienced sonographers contribute to better graft patency rates, faster recovery times, and reduced risk of complications.

Preparation for the ultrasound

There is no patient preparation needed for this scan which will take up to 30 minutes for each leg. The scan assesses the entire leg from the groin crease to the ankle. We will require you to remove your shoes, socks and trousers/shorts. Very loose shorts, dresses and skirts don't need to be removed and can be lifted out of the way. We will ask for you to stand for a period of the assessment and sit on the edge of our examination bed. The procedure is usually painless and involves the sonographer applying a gel to your skin and moving the transducer over the area. We will need to periodically squeeze the calf and thigh to assess the blood flow.