Non-invasive evaluation of coronary artery bypass grafts using 16-row multi-slice computed tomography with 188 ms temporal resolution

BACKGROUND: Cardiac multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) scanners permit visualization of the coronary arteries and coronary artery bypass grafts. The latest MSCT generation with true 16-detector slices (Sensation 16 Speed 4 D, Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) provides improved temporal and spatial resolution, as well as significantly reduced scan time. To assess, whether this technical improvement has also an impact on image quality and accuracy of MSCT diagnosis in patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery the following study was conducted. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Thirteen consecutive patients (pts) (10 male, 3 female, mean age 62 +/- 6.4 [55-73] years, heart rate 68 +/- 11 [52-88] bpm) and a total number of 43 coronary bypass grafts (11 arterial, 32 venous grafts) were examined by MSCT (gantry rotation time 375 ms). In addition to the analysis of coronary bypass grafts, 13 coronary segments (sgts) were evaluated in each patient (n = 169 sgts). MSCT results were compared with coronary angiography. RESULTS: Forty-one of 43 bypass grafts (95%) were analyzable by MSCT. In conventional angiography 16 of 43 (37%) grafts were occluded. Sixteen of them were correctly diagnosed by MSCT (sensitivity 100%). One graft showed a 50% anastomosis stenosis which was also detected. Twenty-five of 27 grafts without severe lesion showed no significant stenosis in MSCT (specificity 93%, positive predictive value (PPV) 89%, negative predictive value (NPV) 100%). Ninety of 108 (83%) high-grade stenosis (>70%) of the native coronary vessels were correctly detected (sensitivity 83%, PPV 78%). From the 61 sgts without high grade stenosis 36 were correctly classified (specificity 59%, NPV 67%). If sgts number 8, 9 and 10, which are normally not target for revascularization, are excluded sensitivity rises to 89%, specificity to 71%, PPV to 87% and NPV to 75%. The correct clinical diagnosis (absence or presence of a high grade stenosis of at least one bypass graft) was achieved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: True 16-slice MSCT with faster gantry rotation time allows detection of lesions in coronary artery bypass grafts with high sensitivity and specificity. The evaluation of native vessels in pts with known CAD remains a diagnostic challenge. However, the correct clinical diagnosis was achieved in all pts. MSCT is a non-invasive tool to assess coronary artery bypass grafts.     

MSCT冠状动脉成像在冠状动脉旁路移植术后的应用

目的探讨64排MSCT冠状动脉成像在冠状动脉旁路移植术后的应用价值。方法分析行冠状动脉旁路移植术后于我院2012年3月至2014年2月期间行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像的患者35例。用评分的方法来客观评估冠状动脉桥血管吻合口及桥血管本身管腔狭窄的情况。对于中、重度狭窄的患者进一步行DSA检查,并与MSCT评估结果进行比较。结果35例患者共移植87支桥血管,其中评为2分的桥血管55支、评为1分的桥血管21支、评为0分的桥血管11支,桥血管通畅率为63．2％。评为1分的21支桥血管,经DSA检查18支桥血管评为1分、3支桥血管评为2分,正确率为85．7％;11支评为0分的桥血管经DSA检查均评为0分,正确率为100％。结论MSCT能够很好地显示冠状动脉旁路移植术后桥血管及其吻合口的狭窄及其程度,具有重要的实用价值。     

冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像及冠脉造影对冠脉搭桥术后桥血管的评价

目的观察冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像及冠脉造影对冠脉搭桥手术后桥血管的评价作用。方法33例冠脉搭桥手术患者,术前常规冠脉造影检查,手术行不停跳冠脉搭桥术,手术后1 a行冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像,并于冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像复查后1周内行冠脉造影检查。结果33例患者共行冠脉搭桥101支,冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像能够成功显示99支,显示率为98.02%。冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像与冠脉造影结果对比,其对冠脉搭桥手术后桥血管狭窄和阻塞评价敏感度达100%。结论应用冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像对冠脉搭桥术后桥血管评价简便、无创,具有较好的可信性和可行性。     

多层螺旋CT评价冠状动脉旁路移植术疗效的初步应用

目的：评价多层螺旋CT(MSCT)冠状动脉成像在冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)后初步应用的价值。方法：6例患经CABG后行MSCT冠状动脉成像，其中1例与选择性冠状动脉造影进行了对照。结果：6例的17支旁路移植术血管中16支管腔开通，1支右冠状动脉移植血管闭塞．并经导管造影证实。结论：MSCT冠状动脉成像是一种简便易行，又安全的无创性检查方法，可随访观察CABG后移植血管的通畅情况，具有良好的临床应用价值。     

16排CT对冠状动脉桥血管病变评估的临床应用价值

目的探讨16排计算机断层扫描技术对冠状动脉桥血管病变评估的临床应用价值。方法本研究共入选62例冠状动脉旁路移植术后患者,其中6例因心率控制不佳被排除。对其余56例共152条桥血管(其中内乳动脉桥48条,隐静脉桥104条)分别用16排CT造影(CTA)和常规冠状动脉造影(CAG)进行检查。CTA检查均通过回顾性心电图门控方法进行。患者平均心率(58±6)次/min。在CTA检查过程中以4ml/s速度静脉注入120ml的Visipaque320造影剂。冠状动脉桥血管的通畅和狭窄程度由两位有经验的医师来评估。结果在本研究中,CTA方法能显示所有冠状动脉桥血管;CTA还能显示所有桥血管近端吻合处以及71%的远端吻合处。并且,经CTA检查发现有29条桥血管发生闭塞,13条桥血管有显著狭窄病变。通过CAG检查比较CTA结果证实:在所有42条CTA检查发现闭塞或狭窄的冠状动脉桥血管中,CAG显示有34条桥血管有闭塞或狭窄;在所有110条CTA检查显示正常的冠状动脉桥血管中,CAG显示有108条桥血管正常,有8例假阳性和2例假阴性发生。CTA检查的敏感性94%,特异性95%;阳性预测值86%,阴性预测值99%。结论CTA可提供清晰的冠状动脉桥血管图像以及较高的诊断准确性。CTA可作为评估冠状动脉桥血管病变的一种无创检查方法。     

多排螺旋CT冠脉成像与冠脉造影对冠心病诊断的对比研究

目的初步评价多排螺旋CT（MSCT）在冠状动脉成像中的临床应用价值。方法18例疑诊冠状动脉狭窄患者行MSCT扫描,利用影像曲面重建,3D重建,了解冠状动脉病变情况,并与冠状动脉造影（CAG）对比。结果18例76支血管同时经MSCT和CAG成像。CAG发现狭窄27支,其中左前降支（LAD）病变11支,回旋支（LCA）病变3支,左主干（LMA）2支,右冠（RCA）病变9支,桥支病变2支。MSCT发现狭窄24支,其中LAD病变11支,LCA病变3支,LMA病变1支,RCA病变7支,桥支病变2支。MSCT与CAG结果相符的病变血管22支,MSCT成像的敏感性为82%（22/27）,特异性96%（47/49）。结论在控制心率的情况下MSCT可作为冠状动脉狭窄的一种无创筛选检查方法。     

Detection of vein graft disease using 4-row computed tomography. Evaluation of coronary bypass graft patency and correlation with the Ca-score

BACKGROUND: Multi-row computed tomography (MDCT) is a promising non-invasive technique and capable of rapid imaging of cardiac structures, including coronary arteries and bypass grafts during a single held breath. In this study, we evaluated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patency by comparing 4-slice computed tomography with conventional contrast angiography. One disadvantage of MDCT is the limited diagnostic accuracy with + increased calcification of the grafts. Therefore, the correlation between Ca-grading and diagnostic accuracy was examined. METHODS: We examined 30 patients with 104 bypass grafts with a 4-row MDCT scanner. On the basis of the Ca-score, patients were divided into 3 groups. RESULTS: It was possible to assess the exact degree of stenosis in 25 of 32 > 50% stenoses with 4-row MDCT, 7 stenoses were underestimated. All occlusions in 21 patients were identified correctly, 33 graft segments were underestimated in MDCT, of which 28 were in the group with a Ca-score of > 800. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT allows non-invasive angiographic evaluation of coronary bypass grafts with a high diagnostic accuracy. However, the method strongly depends on the degree of vascular calcification and underrates the degree of stenosis subject to the Ca-score. This is a distinct limitation in distal vascular segments of small calibre which cannot be validly displayed. In patients with low or moderate Ca-score values, MDCT coronary angiography is promising new technique with a high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of graft stenosis or occlusions.     

Assessment of coronary artery bypass graft disease using cardiovascular magnetic resonance determination of flow reserve

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-determined graft flow and flow reserve in differentiating significant from non-significant vein graft disease. BACKGROUND: In patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), non-invasive testing may be helpful in the detection of recurrent graft disease. METHODS: Randomly selected patients (n = 21) scheduled for X-ray angiography because of recurrent chest complaints after CABG were included for evaluation of vein grafts (n = 40) by CMR. Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced CMR angiography was performed and followed by flow measurements at rest and during hyperemia in patent grafts only. Flow reserve was calculated when resting flow exceeded 20 ml/min. Analysis was based on four categories defined by X-ray angiography: occluded grafts (n = 3), grafts with stenosis >50% (n = 19), grafts with stenosis <50% with diseased graft run-off (n = 8), and grafts with stenosis <50% and normal run-off (n = 10). RESULTS: The CMR angiography demonstrated occlusion of three grafts. In nine of the 37 patent grafts, basal blood flow was <20 ml/min, all demonstrating significant stenosis at X-ray angiography. In grafts with resting flow >20 ml/min (n = 28), flow reserve significantly differed between grafts without stenosis and grafts with significant stenosis or with diseased run-off (2.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.9, p = 0.04). An algorithm combining basal volume flow <20 ml/min and graft flow reserve <2 had a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 80% respectively for detecting grafts with significant stenosis or diseased run-off. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study showed that quantification of flow and flow reserve by CMR may serve as a non-invasive adjunct to differentiate between vein grafts without stenosis and grafts with significant stenosis or diseased run-off.     

冠状动脉旁路移植术后再发心绞痛的介入治疗分析

目的分析冠状动脉（冠脉）旁路移植术（CABG）后再发心绞痛的原因及进行介入治疗的有效性和安全性。方法再发缺血症状的CABG术后老年患者78例，进行冠脉和桥血管造影，并同时对53例进行介入治疗。结果78例均进行冠脉和桥血管造影，其中8例桥血管通畅，原冠脉病变无或有轻微发展；17例桥血管严重狭窄或全部闭塞，同时，原冠脉3支弥漫严重病变；53例原冠脉血管病变有明显进展或桥血管出现严重病变或闭塞。78例共移植桥血管226支（其中大隐静脉桥血管153支，乳内动脉桥69支，桡动脉桥4支）。大隐静脉桥血管153支中，110支发生病变（71．9％，其中长段弥漫性病变或完全闭塞77支，吻合口狭窄14支，体部狭窄19支）。乳内动脉桥共69支，27支发生病变，占39．1％（其中全程弥漫性病变和完全闭塞12支，吻合口狭窄15支）。桡动脉桥共4支，通畅3支，吻合口狭窄1支。226支桥血管发生病变共有138支（包括大隐静脉桥血管110支，乳内动脉桥27支，桡动脉桥1支），桥血管吻合口狭窄30支，体部病变19支，弥漫病变或完全闭塞89支。在吻合口狭窄的桥血管中，术后0～3个月发生21支（70.0％），术后3～12个月发生9支（30．0％），术后1年以上无吻合口狭窄。在体部病变的桥血管中术后0～3个月未发生病变，术后3～12个月发生10支（52．6％），术后1年以上发生9支（47．7％）。桥血管弥漫病变或完全闭塞术后0～3个月发生28支（31．5％），术后3～12个月发生14支（15．7％），术后1年以上发生47支（52．8％）。53例患者进行原发血管和（或）桥血管介入治疗，50例介入治疗成功（94、3％）。所有病变介入治疗后均即刻获得良好结果，30d随访，未出现严重心脏事件。结论CABG术后再发心绞痛介入治疗成功率、有效性、安全性均较高，介入治疗可作为CABG术后再发缺血的主要治疗手段之一。     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像判定冠状动脉狭窄的价值

目的: 探讨64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像（MSCTCA）判定冠状动脉狭窄的临床价值。方法: 回顾性研究在我科治疗并于2周内先后行MSCTCA和冠状动脉造影（CAG）的临床拟诊冠心病患者30(男21,女9)例;年龄49～74（62±7）岁,以CAG结果为准,计算评价指标。结果: 依节段计算的MSCTCA准确性,其灵敏度、特异度分别为50%、97%。若去除38个冠脉节段由于严重钙化而影响诊断的因素,则其灵敏度、特异度分别为74%、99%。结论: MSCTCA判断冠状动脉中、重度狭窄具有较高的准确性,对诊断冠心病尤其对筛选冠心病而言有较好的前景,但严重钙化病变影响冠状动脉狭窄程度的判断。     

正-逆灌并选择性桥血管灌注技术在重症冠状动脉旁路移植术中的价值

目的 总结和分析顺-逆灌并选择性桥血管灌注技术在重症冠状动脉旁路移植术（coronary artery bypass grafting,CABG）中的应用价值.方法 回顾分析2010年6月至2011年12月河南省人民医院收治的重症冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）患者152例的临床资料.术前患者均常规行冠状动脉造影术,其中合并左主干病变46例,狭窄程度均大于70％,左前降支完全闭塞51例,前降支及右冠状动脉均完全闭塞29例,三支血管弥漫性病变并血管细小55例;所有手术均在体外循环下进行,术中均经冠状动脉顺灌加冠状静脉窦逆灌并选择性桥血管灌注进行心肌保护.结果 所有患者术中转流平稳,150例自动复跳,2例出现心室颤动,电除颤后顺利复跳,均顺利停机.术后5例出现低心排血量综合征,1例肾功能不全,2例低氧血症,经调整后均恢复,无死亡患者.结论 在重症CABG中,采用顺-逆灌并选择性桥血管灌注技术具有良好的心肌保护效果,能够明显改善患者的预后.     

Routine intraoperative angiography improves the early patency of coronary grafts performed on the beating heart

OBJECTIVES: The techniques of performing coronary revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass are rapidly evolving. However, concern remains regarding the accuracy of coronary artery anastomoses performed on the beating heart. This report reviews the use of intraoperative angiography in the critical appraisal of "off-pump" coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. PATIENTS: Intraoperative angiography was performed in 24 consecutive patients undergoing CABG surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass. In all, 24 left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafts and 18 saphenous vein bypass grafts were assessed for patency, anastomosis quality, distal and proximal runoff, and correct placement. RESULTS: All of the saphenous vein-to-coronary artery anastomoses were widely patent, although two patients (8%) required revision of their LIMA grafts on the basis of angiographic findings. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative angiography permits the surgeon to immediately appraise the CABG and to revise, if necessary, any graft abnormality, thus potentially eliminating the need for early repeated surgery. The practice of routine intraoperative angiography is likely to improve the outcome of CABG surgery on the beating heart.     

Accuracy of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography: a pooled estimate

A PUBMED search was performed for peer-reviewed studies published in English from 2002 through August 2006. Accuracy parameters for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease by MSCT (multislice computed tomography) coronary angiography were analyzed on patient and segment basis. Pooled estimates of sensitivity (SN), specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) in patient-based analyses were 93%, 82%, 83%, and 92%, respectively. For 64/40-slice MSCT the respective accuracy estimates were 96%, 91%, 93%, and 96% and were better compared with 16-slice MSCT. Also, more segments were evaluated by 64-slice MSCT (96%) compared with 16-slice MSCT (86%). The SN and NPV of MSCT coronary angiography for patients with low coronary artery calcium (CAC) score were 92% and 99% compared with 77% and 89% for patients with high CAC score. The accuracy estimates for MSCT in studying coronary artery by-pass grafts and intracoronary stents showed a SN and NPV of 97% and 97% for graft occlusion or stenosis and only 71% and 93% respectively for in-stent restenosis. Diagnostic accuracy of MSCT coronary angiography has improved with the newer 64-slice versions. High CAC scores can affect the accuracy of MSCT coronary angiography. Although the accuracy of MSCT in evaluating native vessel and graft disease has improved significantly, its reliability in studying intracoronary stents remains uncertain.     

Non-invasive assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts by computed tomography: comparison with conventional coronary angiography

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Although it has been demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in the non-invasive assessment of major epicardial coronary arteries is high, only a few studies have evaluated the technique's reliability in assessing coronary artery bypass grafts. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography in the assessment of coronary grafts. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We prospectively evaluated 117 coronary grafts in 38 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery and who had a clinical indication for angiographic graft assessment. All patients were in sinus rhythm and had a heart rate below 75 bpm. A 16-detector scanner was used for non-invasive assessment of the coronary grafts at a slice thickness of 1.2 mm. The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in the non-invasive assessment of significant lesions (i.e., occluded lesions or those with a stenosis greater than 50%) in coronary artery bypass grafts was evaluated by comparison with the results of conventional angiography. RESULTS: Of the 117 grafts evaluated, 99 (84.6%) were visualized by conventional angiography and 109 (93.2%) by computed tomography. Overall, 98 grafts were analyzed using both techniques. The sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography in detecting significant lesions were: 92% and 97.3%, respectively, for all grafts; 89.5% and 97.6%, respectively, for venous grafts; and 100% and 96.8%, respectively, for arterial grafts. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography in coronary artery bypass graft assessment was high.     

Coronary revascularization with reduction of serum cholesterol level using LDL apheresis in patient with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

We reported a case of a 48-year-old male with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia who underwent coronary revascularization successfully. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) utilizing internal mammary artery graft to LAD, and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for residual stenosis after CABG was able to relieve symptomatic myocardial ischemia. LDL apheresis every two weeks in addition to combined drug treatment had maintained total cholesterol at an acceptable level (120-280 mg/dl) before and after CABG. It was confirmed by repetition of coronary angiography at one year after CABG that all grafts were widely patent, and the native coronary artery did not accelerate the atherosclerotic lesion. It was important in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, to carry out active coronary revascularization with reduction of serum cholesterol level by using LDL apheresis.     

Progression from stenosis to occlusion in the proximal native coronary artery after coronary artery bypass grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an established treatment for multivessel coronary artery disease. However, problematic situations are occasionally encountered after CABG, such as disease progression in the native coronary artery with graft occlusion, which causes difficulty in revascularization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the native coronary artery after CABG. Between 2009 and 2012 in our institution, 351 patients underwent CABG, and 768 bypass grafts were anastomosed to non-occluded coronary arteries. Of these, 489 bypass grafts had available early postoperative angiographic results (≤6 months) suitable for assessment in this study. We defined malignant graft failure after CABG to be bypass graft occlusion and de novo complete occlusion of the target native coronary artery proximal to the graft anastomosis site. In the early angiographic results, 17 grafts were occluded (17/489; 3.5 %). Two of the grafts displayed malignant graft failure (a saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery and a saphenous vein graft to the diagonal branch) (2 of 17 occluded grafts, and 2 of 489 studied grafts). Of the patent bypass grafts, 24 involved progression to occlusion in the proximal native coronary artery (19 saphenous vein grafts, 4 left internal thoracic artery grafts, and 1 right internal thoracic artery graft). Malignant graft failure was uncommon during short-term follow-up after CABG. At the same time, disease progression in the proximal native coronary artery from stenosis to occlusion following patent bypass grafting was relatively common, especially for vein grafts.     

Takayasu arteritis with multiple cardiovascular complications

A 60-year-old Japanese woman first presented in 1990 with effort angina. She underwent coronary angiography and was diagnosed with bilateral coronary ostial stenosis and Takayasu arteritis. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for multiple vessels was attempted, but the blood flow in the bilateral internal thoracic and gastroepiploic arteries was to poor for a donor artery, and the calcification of the ascending aortic wall was too severe for anastomosis of saphenous vein grafts. Therefore, the proper hepatic artery was connected to the left anterior descending artery using a vein graft. In April 2000, the patient's angina worsened. Occlusions of both subclavian arteries, bilateral coronary ostial stenosis and vein graft occlusion, aortic valve regurgitation, and two severe stenoses of the descending aorta were observed. Aortic valve replacement, and coronary and aorta revascularization were desirable, but the severe aortic wall calcification and thickening rendered these interventions impossible. Treatment with medication was chosen. The patient was discharged without severe angina. A combination of these serious cardiovascular complications which do not allow any surgical intervention is very rare. Received: May 21, 2001 / Accepted: August 24, 2001     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with two or more previous coronary artery bypass grafting operations

Between 1979 and 1986, 65 of 76 patients (86%) (82% men, with a mean age of 58 +/- 8 years) with greater than or equal to 2 previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operations and symptomatic myocardial ischemia underwent successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Sixty-two patients had 2 prior CABG operations, 10 had 3 and 4 had 4. Clinical characteristics included prior myocardial infarctions in 49 (65%), severe angina (class III or IV) in 47 (62%) and left ventricular ejection fraction less than or equal to 35% in 13 (17%). There were 139 lesions dilated: 1 lesion in 39 (51%), 2 in 22 (29%) and greater than or equal to 3 in 15 (20%) patients. Arterial lesions were successfully dilated in 71 of 81 cases (88%), vein grafts in 44 of 53 (83%) and mammary artery grafts in 3 of 5 (60%). In 12 patients, PTCA was used to dilate significant lesions less than 15 days after CABG in vessels which were unable to be bypassed. Significant complications were encountered in 4 patients (5%). These included 3 of 53 vein graft dilatations with embolization (6%), with 1 resulting in infarction and death, and 1 patient dying after emergency CABG. At hospital discharge, 65 patients were clinically improved. An apparent symptom-related lesion recurrence occurred in 23 of 65 patients (35%), with 5 patients dying of cardiac causes, 4 having CABG without previous angiography and 12 of 14 patients undergoing repeat successful PTCA (mean time and standard deviation 9 +/- 6 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mid-Term Outcome of Surgical Coronary Ostial Plasty: Our Experience

Abstract The conventional coronary artery bypass procedure that uses venous or arterial conduit for isolated critical stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) restores a less physiological perfusion of the myocardium and uses an appreciable length of bypass material, Coronary ostial plasty has been described as an alternative surgical technique in proximal obstructive coronary artery disease without calcifications. Here we report 23 patients (15 males and 8 females aged 37–78 years; mean age 57 years) who underwent surgical ostial plasty. Ostial reconstruction with fresh pericardial patch was performed in all patients: 15 patients with LMCA stenosis, 6 patients with right coronary (RC) ostial stenosis. and 2 patients with both RC artery and LMCA stenosis. In seven cases, coronary artery bypass grafting was added for contralateral distal stenosis with a total of five arterial conduits and six venous grafts. One patient died; the ostial plasty and grafts were patent at necropsy. Thal-lium-201 myocardial scintigraphy under stress at 30 days to 6 months after operation demonstrated good myocardial perfusion in 21 of 22 patients. Coronary angiography at follow-up (49 ± 8 months) demonstrated good surgical ostial plasty results in 21 of 22 patients and good coronary flow in 19 of 22 patients; angiographic study at mid-term follow-up revealed only one failure of the surgical ostial plasty technique associated with venous graft obstruction. In 2 other patients CABG failure due to venous graft obstruction (1 patient) or distal stenotic lesions of the left coronary artery (1 patient) was noted. The overall successful outcome of the surgical ostial plasty was 22 of 23. We believe that surgical angioplasty of the coronary ostia may be used in the presence of proximal noncalcified obstructive lesions as an alternative technique, which offers a more physiological revascularization; it also spares grafting material and allows subsequent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery. (J Card Surg 7999; 14:294–300)     

Noninvasive coronary imaging and assessment of left ventricular function using 16-slice computed tomography

In recent years, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has been demonstrated to be a feasible imaging modality for noninvasive coronary angiography and left ventricular function analysis. The present study evaluated overall performance of 16-slice MSCT in the detection of significant coronary artery disease, stent, or bypass graft stenosis in combination with global left ventricular function analysis. Forty-five patients underwent 16-slice MSCT. Multislice computed tomograms were used to evaluate the presence of significant coronary artery stenoses (>/=50% decrease in luminal diameter) in native coronary segments, bypass grafts, and coronary stents and were compared with conventional coronary angiograms. In addition, left ventricular ejection fraction was calculated and compared with 2-dimensional echocardiography. MSCT was performed successfully in all patients. A close correlation between MSCT and 2-dimensional echocardiography was demonstrated for the assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (y = 0.93x +3.33, r = 0.96, p <0.001). A total of 298 of native coronary artery segments (94%) were evaluated with MSCT, whereas 81 of 94 grafts (85%) and 41 of 52 coronary stents (79%) were also evaluated. For all segments, overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 85%, 89%, 71%, and 95%, respectively. In conclusion, 16-slice MSCT is a feasible modality for noninvasive evaluation and exclusion of coronary artery disease in patients who present with chest pain.