Human body illustration highting veins and arteries

Vascular Surgery Resource Hub

Resources illustrating how MiraQ is used in vascular surgery to get enhanced surgical insight.​

Introduction

Vascular surgery today, while advanced, relies on separate tools for visualizing anatomy and measuring blood flow, leaving room for uncertainty. Imagine an instrument that integrates Transit Time Flow Measurement (TTFM) with high-frequency imaging, transforming vascular surgeries with precision and real-time insights, guiding you performing surgery with best possible patient outcomes.

The MiraQ is the only device combining TTFM and high-resolution imaging in one unit. It empowers vascular surgeons with precision and real-time insights, elevating patient outcomes in one innovative solution. Perform vascular imaging, measure blood flow and receive immediate feedback on how well a graft is functioning and minimize the risk for reinterventions.​


With graft patency being the predominant predictor of long-term survival after vascular surgery, surgeons can ensure improved patient outcomes.

Peripheral Bypass Surgery

Critical limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) is the end-stage of peripheral artery disease. CLTI is a severe condition that increases the risk for limb loss or major amputation. Medistim offers a unique intraoperative quality assessment system combining flow measurement with imaging for immediate feedback on graft patency and the chance to revise before closure.​

With TTFM and HFUS you can check your results with no radiation and objectify the flow – an evidence-based assessment.

Dr. Alexander Meyer, Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery, Johanniter-Krankenhaus Duisburg Rheinhausen

Human legs illustration showing veins

Volumetric blood flow values have proven to be an important factor for predicting graft longevity. Good graft function increases the likelihood of saving the patient’s leg. The risk of early postoperative occlusion is significantly increased if the intraoperative flow volume after open bypass revascularization is lower than comparable flow reference values or an additional stress test performed with a vasodilator is not showing expected increase in flow.

Assessment of anastomotic sites using Medistim's imaging probe which is especially adapted for intraoperative use, can reveal otherwise unseen imperfections inside the vessels. The Medistim technology gives surgeons the chance to correct technical errors or defects before closure.​

With graft patency being the predominant predictor of long-term survival after vascular surgery, surgeons can ensure improved patient outcomes using this unique quality assessment device.​

Workflow for combined Imaging and TTFM
Human leg illustration showing veins and arteries
Human leg showing veins illustration
1
Imaging probe on vessel illustration

At sites A+D:

Perform imaging to determine the anastomotic sites.

Human leg showing veins illustration
2
TTFM device on blood vessel

At sites B+C:

Measure flow volume in the graft.​

Human leg showing veins illustration
3
Probe on vessel illustration

At sites B+C:

Perform stress test with vasodilator and expect >50% flow increase.

Human leg showing veins illustration
4
Imaging probe on vessel illustration

At sites A+D:

Perform imaging of the anastomoses to reveal any restrictions.

Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA)

Medistim offers the unique combination of Transit Time Flow Measurement (TTFM) and high-frequency ultrasound imaging in order to reduce the risk of perioperative stroke when performing CEA.

Ultrasound imaging is an invaluable tool for immediate visualization and evaluation of the vessel lumen after CEA. Imaging the carotids can reveal imperfections that otherwise would go undetected and gives the surgeon the chance to revise before closure.

Human head illustration

The CIDAC Study

Intraoperative completion imaging after CEA has the benefit of reducing the risk of perioperative stroke. The CIDAC study concludes that intraoperative duplex ultrasound (IDUS) enables more correct detection of higher-grade defects than angiography (p<0.001). Defects considered for revision were detected in 22 vs. 10 patients for IDUS vs. angio (p=0.04). The inter-observer reliability of IDUS is higher than of angio (p=0.003).

2023 ESVS Guidelines

A section of the ESVS Guidelines describes monitoring and quality control after CEA to identify luminal thrombus after flow restoration, diagnose intimal flaps and diagnose residual stenoses during surgery. The recommendation is based on a meta-analysis by Knappich et al. from 2021 showing that both ultrasound imaging and angiography are associated with a reduced risk of death and stroke after CEA. The CIDAC study contributes to the conclusion of this meta-analysis.

Recommendation 77
For patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, intra-operative completion imaging with angiography, duplex ultrasound or angioscopy should be considered in order to reduce the risk of peri-operative stroke.
Class IIa, Level B
References: Knappich et al. (2021)

CIDAC
Comparison of Intra-operative Duplex Ultrasound and Angiography after Carotid Endarterectomy
Workflow for combined Imaging and TTFM
CEA procedure image
Schematic of vascular procedure
1
Imaging probe on vessel illustration

At sites A+D:

Perform intraoperative imaging to guide incision and assess the size of the plaque.

Schematic of vascular procedure
2
Probe on vessel illustration

At sites B+C:

Optional:​
At sites A, B or C:

Assess flow to establish baseline.

Schematic of vascular procedure
3
Imaging probe on vessel illustration

At sites B+C:

Perform imaging completion control:​

- Check for residual intimal flaps or plaque.​
- Check clamping sites for injury.​

Schematic of vascular procedure
4
Probe on vessel illustration

At sites A+D:

Optional: ​
TTFM completion control​ at sites B or C:
- Assess flow to avoid cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome.​
- Check for adequate flow especially through kinked arteries.​

Ultrasound reduces the risk of in-hospital death and stroke by 26%, showing higher sensitivity compared to angiography.

Dr. Christoph Knappich, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München (TUM)

AV Access Surgery

In AV Access, a fistula failing to mature due to low blood flow can require reintervention and prolonged use of a central venous catheter for dialysis with neither options contributing to a permanent solution for the patient.

Several studies have shown that volumetric flow rates are predictive of surgical outcomes in vascular access. Transit Time Flow Measurement (TTFM) and intraoperative imaging facilitate immediate and necessary interventions, contributing to a long term functional fistula and reducing reinterventions to a minimum.

Human arm illustration showing veins and arteries

If the flow in the fistula is too high, there is a risk of hand ischemia and heart failure. For patients experiencing high-flow issues, flow reduction using intraoperative flow monitoring is an effective and durable technique allowing for the correction of hand ischemia and cardiac insufficiency.


The MiraQ device enables successful fistula maturation contributing to a long lasting shunt and effective high-flow modulation improving the patient's quality of life.

Workflow for combined Imaging and TTFM
AV fistula illustration with flow-measuring probe
Probe on fistula illustration
1
Imaging probe on vessel illustration

At sites A+D:

​Perform imaging before fistula creation to detect significant side branches and valves.

Probe on fistula illustration
2
Probe on vessel illustration

At sites B+C:

Measure flow in the outflow vein to assess adequate flow.

Probe on fistula illustration
3
Probe on vessel illustration

At sites B+C:

Perform imaging to check the quality of the anastomosis and exclude any morphological issues.

Probe on fistula illustration
4
Imaging probe on vessel illustration

At sites A+D:

Perform flow modulation with flow and imaging in high-flow cases during initial surgery or after maturation.​

Videos

Enhance your surgical techniques and knowledge with our video gallery, showcasing real-world applications of MiraQ for improved patient outcomes and surgical efficiency.
CIDAC banner in EduQ platform
0:53

CIDAC Study

Comparison of Intra-operative Duplex Ultrasound and Angiography after Carotic endarterectomy, Knappich et al. (2020).
Flow and imaging poster
0:15

Flow and Imaging make your vascular surgery complete

Leave the OR with confidence

Case Studies

Enhance your surgical techniques and knowledge with Case Studies, showcasing real-world applications of MiraQ for improved patient outcomes and surgical efficiency.

Webinars

Enhance your surgical techniques and knowledge with webinars from leading surgeons presenting their experience with the Medistim technology.​

Publications

Dive into publications implementing the Medistim technology to document improved patient outcomes and surgical efficiency.

Products

MiraQ Vascular medical device upper body view, screen showing ultrasound imaging

MiraQ Vascular

The Medistim MiraQ™ Vascular combines ultrasound imaging and Transit Time Flow Measurement (TTFM) in a single system that is…
MiraQ Ultimate system upper body view

MiraQ Ultimate

The only system combining TTFM and ultrasound imaging in a single system for Cardiac, Vascular & Transplant...
Close-up of imaging probe from Medistim

Imaging Probe

A high-frequency ultrasound imaging probe especially adapted for intraoperative use and...
Medistim probes variation

Flow Probes

Medistim’s flow probes are based on reliable Transit Time Flow Measurement (TTFM). Together with the Medistim systems, they provide fast…