Cine computed tomographic evaluation of aortocoronary bypass graft patency.

Evaluation of the patency of coronary bypass grafts has previously required hospitalization for invasive angiography. This report of three cases documents the unique capability of cardiac cine computed tomography to easily and accurately define coronary bypass graft patency. In each case, the findings altered therapeutic decisions. This early experience justifies wider application of this technique and suggests that it may eliminate the need for diagnostically motivated graft angiography. Large scale studies to establish the sensitivity and specificity of cardiac cine computed tomography for determining graft patency are indicated.