Perioperative monitoring of flow and patency in native and grafted internal mammary arteries using a combined MR protocol

Br J Radiol. 2005 Apr;78(928):292-8. doi: 10.1259/bjr/16043862.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate graft flow (f) and patency (p) in patients with internal mammary artery (f,p) and venous (p only) grafts using a combined MR protocol with phase-contrast technique and MR angiography. 42 patients with 42 left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and 63 venous grafts were examined pre and 6 months post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Phase-contrast flow measurements were applied to the IMA. Post-operatively, a contrast enhanced MR angiogram was performed to assess bypass patency. LIMA/venous grafts were occluded in 3/42 and 13/63, respectively. Flow in LIMA decreased from 19.4+/-10.4 ml min(-1) m(-2) pre-operatively to 13.4+/-9.7 ml min(-1) m(-2) post-operatively (p<0.002). In contrast, flow in the native right IMA increased from 17.6+/-8.7 ml min(-1) m(-2) pre-operatively to 24.8+/-9.0 ml min(-1) m(-2) post-operatively (p<0.001). MRI allows a combined assessment of bypass patency and flow. This study protocol may be applicable to perioperative follow-up studies in patients after CABG surgery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Contrast Media
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / methods*
  • Coronary Disease / physiopathology
  • Coronary Disease / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis / methods
  • Intraoperative Care / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography / methods
  • Male
  • Mammary Arteries / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Vascular Patency* / physiology

Substances

  • Contrast Media