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MRI of pseudoaneurysm of a brachial venous coronary bypass graft
A J Duerinckx1, B S Lewis, H W Louie
1Radiology Service, VA Medical Center, West Los Angeles, California 90073, USA.
Insights
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can develop rare complications like pseudoaneurysms. Ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging effectively diagnoses these graft site abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Diagnostic Techniques
Background:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common procedure for ischemic heart disease.
- Potential complications include graft reocclusion, aneurysm, and pseudoaneurysm formation.
- Chest X-rays may show mass-like abnormalities requiring further investigation.
Observation:
- This case highlights a patient with a mass-like abnormality on chest X-ray post-CABG.
- The abnormality was suspected to be a complication of the bypass graft.
Findings:
- Ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed for detailed evaluation.
- MRI successfully identified pseudoaneurysm formation at the coronary artery bypass graft site.
Implications:
- This demonstrates the utility of ultrafast MRI in diagnosing rare CABG complications.
- Advanced imaging can aid in the accurate assessment of post-surgical graft issues.
- Improved diagnostic capabilities can lead to timely and appropriate patient management.
Abstract:
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is being performed all over the world, with major success in the management of ischemic heart disease and angina pectoris. Complications of bypass grafting include partial or total graft reocclusion, and less common entities such as aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm formation. Noninvasive imaging procedures exist which can help include or exclude the presence of these unusual types of complications when mass-like abnormalities are seen on a chest X-ray following coronary artery bypass grafting. This case specifically illustrates the usefulness of ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging techniques in the evaluation and diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm formation at the site of coronary artery bypass graft.