Clinical value of coronary bypass graft evaluation with CT.

Computed tomography (CT) has a reported accuracy of 45%-97% in assessment of patency of coronary artery bypass grafts. Dynamic CT was done in 26 patients (47 grafts) with recurrent cardiac symptoms after graft surgery. Although CT was 79% accurate (with selective angiography as the standard), the authors do not believe that it provides sufficient information for the assessment of symptomatic patients. Four patients had high-grade stenoses in their grafts, and 50% of patients had significant progression of atherosclerosis in their native coronary arteries. Neither of these conditions could be detected by CT. The clinical contribution of CT will probably be greatest for routine screening of asymptomatic patients soon after operation. Technical problems with CT scanning for graft patency are discussed.

Duke Scholars

Author Robert M. Califf Medicine, Cardiology