Three-dimensional images of extra-routine grafts in CABG by multidetector computed tomography.

The multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan is now widely used especially to find lesions of the coronary artery stenosis. In this report the images of a postoperative study of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by MDCT are introduced to reveal their feasibility and reliability. Shown is one of the patients whose saphenous vein graft (SVG) was connected from the descending aorta to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) via the obtuse marginal branch (OM). This is because the left internal thoracic artery (ITA) was not available and the ascending aorta could not be used for highly calcified degeneration. That kind of graft in CABG should be recognized as "extra routine," and its use will cause some difficulties to arise in postoperative elucidation for graft function. The images by MDCT reported here showed an excellent view of the route and lumen of the graft, suggesting the feasibility and usefulness of MDCT in CABG postoperative study.