Computed tomographic assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts with fast dynamic scanning

28 coronary grafts in 12 symptomatic patients were studied using the Toshiba 900S scanner with bolus injections of contrast agent into an anti-cubital vein. The assessment was carried out using fast incremental and continuous acquisition scanning with stepped reconstructions in the last 5 patients. Of the 27 grafts, 16 were shown at angiography to be patent and of good calibre. 14 of these were similarly assessed by computerized tomography (CT). 11 were either diseased or blocked at angiography, and these were graded also as small, stenosed or blocked at CT. This early study would support previous reports that CT does offer a reliable method of diagnosing good patent grafts. The study also suggests that with conventional fast dynamic scanning some information regarding graft quality can be obtained. 11 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs