Multislice CT evaluation of coronary artery bypass graft patients

Abstract

Continuous improvement in multislice computed tomography technology has further enabled advances in coronary artery bypass graft imaging. Multidetector platforms and retrospective electrocardiography gating have enabled sensitivities and specificities in the 95% to 99% range while avoiding the morbidity associated with invasive catheter angiography. Identification of bypass graft stenoses and bypass graft aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms is important in evaluation of these patients. Recognition of coronary artery bypass graft anatomy is particularly important to minimize the complications associated with reoperative cardiac surgery. The 3-dimensional demonstration of chest wall anatomy and its relationships to these coronary bypass grafts makes multislice computed tomography a superior technology in this patient population. Confident evaluation and assessment of the patient after coronary artery bypass graft surgery will become an increasingly important tool to the practicing radiologist.