The aim of the study was to assess usefulness of multislice spiral computed tomography--MSCT (Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom, Siemens) in non-invasive assessment of the potency of coronary artery bypass grafts both venous and arterial grafts as well as stents.
Methods: The study was performed using the MSCT method with Heart View Software with retrospective electrocardiographic gating. Nonionic, hypo-osmolar contract media was infused into a peripheral vein to highlight the coronary arteries and bypasses. All patients, due to clinical indications, underwent coronary and bypass angiography.
Material: Two group of patients (82 persons) in total were evaluated: after aorto-coronary bypassing (Group I--57 persons, incl. 40 males and 17 females) and after stent implantation (Group II--25 persons, incl. 19 males and 6 females). The patients were referred to invasive diagnostics for recurrence and aggravation of clinical symptoms.
Results: In group I, the patency of 187 bypasses was evaluated (21 arterial and 166 venous). In MSCT, was found in 131 of the bypasses patency (114 venous and 4 arterial). 56 bypasses, (52 venous and 4 arterial) were obstructed. In the bypassography performed were obstructed 53 (5 venous and 3 arterial), 134 bypasses were patent (116 venous and 18 arterial). In the bypass patency assessment using MSCT compared to coronarography, specificity of 94.7% and sensitivity of 92.4% were achieved. In group II, patency was evaluated in 26 stents: 21 implanted to native vessels and 5 in venous bypasses. 19 stents in native vessels were found patent, whereas 2 were obstructed. In the coronary bypasses performed, patency was confirmed in 19 stents and 2 were obstructed. In MST obstruction was demonstrated in 4 stents in coronary bypasses, which was confirmed in bypassography. One stent was assessed patient in both methods.
Conclusion: The MSCT method is useful for assessment of patency of venous and arterial bypasses as well as stents.