Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012;5(3):352-6.
doi: 10.3400/avd.oa.12.00028.

Evaluation of ITA Graft Function Using CT Angiography

Affiliations

Evaluation of ITA Graft Function Using CT Angiography

Makoto Hashimoto et al. Ann Vasc Dis. 2012.

Abstract

Objective: A less invasive method to assess internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is desired. This study reports the novel method to estimate ITA graft function using CT angiography.

Materials and methods: Fifty ITA grafts were assessed. Hounsfield Unit transition of each graft on the same cross section was detected during the Test Bolus Injection, which led to the making of a time density curve (TDC), for each ITA. Variables from the TDC were compared statistically with data obtained from Pulse Doppler Echo (PDE), the best indicator of graft function, of ITA grafts.

Results: The ascending slope of the TDC was significantly associated with the following PDE data: Velocity time integral (VTI), VTI × Heart Rate (HR) and Mean Flow of ITA graft. A multivariate analysis showed an especially strong relationship with the ascending slope of the TDC and VTI × HR (R(2) = 0.588).

Conclusion: The ascending slope of the TDC means the concentration transition of contrast media, which may be affected by the blood stream in the ITA graft. This study suggests the possibility of the ability to assess ITA graft function by CT angiography.

Keywords: coronary artery bypass grafting; ct angiography; ita graft function; time density curve.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The cross section image where the ITA HU transition data was obtained. White Arrow shows the ITA graft section. ITA: internal thoracic artery; HU: Hounsfield unit
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The representative Time Density Curve of ITA graft. ITA: internal thoracic artery
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The scatter plot of ascending slope of TDC and VTI×HR, which shows the linear relationship (y = 64x+327, R2 = 0.588) between ascending slope of TDC and VTIxHR. TDC: time density curve; VTI: velocity thoracic integral; HR: heart rate

Similar articles

References

    1. Hamon M, Baron JC, Viader F, et al. Periprocedural stroke and cardiac catheterization. Circulation 2008; 118: 678-83 - PubMed
    1. Ropers D, Pohle FK, Kuettner A, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive coronary angiography in patients after bypass surgery using 64-slice spiral computed tomography with 330-ms gantry rotation. Circulation 2006; 114: 2334-41, quiz 2334 - PubMed
    1. Laynez-Carnicero A, Estornell-Erill J, Trigo-Bautista A, et al. Non-invasive assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts and native coronary arteries using 64-slice computed tomography: comparison with invasive coronary angiography. Rev Esp Cardiol 2010; 63: 161-9 - PubMed
    1. Feuchtner GM, Schachner T, Bonatti J, et al. Diagnostic performance of 64-slice computed tomography in evaluation of coronary artery bypass grafts. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2007; 189: 574-80 - PubMed
    1. Jones CM, Athanasiou T, Tekkis PP, et al. Does Doppler echography have a diagnostic role in patency assessment of internal thoracic artery grafts? Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2005; 28: 692-700 - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources