Internal thoracic arterial grafts evaluation by multislice CT scan: a preliminary study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts offer superior long-term patency compared to saphenous veins.
• Anastomosis of ITA to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is the gold standard for myocardial revascularization.
• Postoperative assessment of ITA bypass grafts is crucial for ensuring successful revascularization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate multidetector multislice CT scan (MCTS) for postoperative assessment of ITA coronary artery bypass grafts.
• To determine the efficacy of MCTS in visualizing ITA graft patency and anastomotic sites.
• To establish MCTS as a reliable noninvasive method for postoperative ITA graft evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-eight patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with ITA were studied.
• MCTS with cardiac gating was performed 7 days post-surgery for patency and anastomotic site control.
• The study utilized a Light Speed scanner from General Electric, USA.

Main Results:

• MCTS provided excellent visualization of ITA bypass grafts along their entire course, with 3D reconstructions available.
• The anastomotic site on the LAD was perfectly visualized in selected cases.
• While surgical clips caused some artifacts, MCTS successfully visualized sequential, T, and Y grafts.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative MCTS allows for satisfactory resolution in evaluating ITAs.
• MCTS can noninvasively confirm ITA graft patency, course, and anastomosis quality.
• MCTS is a valuable tool for the postoperative assessment of ITA coronary artery bypass grafts.