Non-invasive assessment of coronary graft patency with multislice computed tomography

Background. To evaluate the results of multi slice computed tomography (CT) as non invasive technique for the assessment of coronary artery bypass grafting patency. Patients and method. Between 2002-2005, multi slice CT was performed in 31 patients with previous coronary surgery, using a 16 slice CT scanner, receiving contrast material. Most of the patients were referred by recurrence of angina. Contraindications were contrast allergy, abnormal renal function or atrial fibrillation. Additional invasive angiography was performed in seven of these patients. Results. 143 conduits were studied, 37 vein grafts and 106 arterial grafts. We evaluate differences in patency based on the conduit, the coronary territories or the type of anastomosis. Patency was 97, 40, 88 and 86% for LIMA, RIMA, radial artery and saphenous vein, respectively. Depending on the target territories, patency was 97, 85, 85, 78 and 83% for left anterior descending coronary artery, diagonals, marginals, right coronary artery and posterior descending coronary artery. Based on type of anastomosis, patency for individual anastomosis was 89%, for sequential was 75 and 100% for ''Y'' grafts. Conclusion. Multi-slice CT is a non-invasive technique useful to evaluate patency after coronary artery bypass grafting.