Evaluation of the postoperative ascending aorta

Recent changes in operative technique for aneurysms of the ascending aorta, especially the introduction of a continuous suture-graft inclusion technique (CGSIT), have resulted in improved outcome. The purpose of this paper is to use MR imaging and CT to examine asymptomatic patients after CGSIT surgery to determine the normal MR and CT appearance of the postoperative thoracic aorta, the frequency of late complications of CGSIT surgery, the comparative value of MR imaging and CT for follow-up of these patients, and the value of different MR pulse sequences. The thoracic aortas of 38 asymptomatic patients with a history of CGSIT surgery of the ascending aorta for aneurysms (69% with a concomitant valve procedure) were imaged with MR (0.5T) between 7 and 64 months (mean, 26.5 months) following surgery. ECG-gated axial and oblique sagittal SE, and axial GRE sequences (viewed in cine mode) were obtained. CT, with precontrast and standard dynamic bolus technique, was also performed in 28 patients on the same day as MR imaging