CT angiography for coronary artery bypass graft surgery

There are a variety of protocols for image acquisition in the evaluation of patients after CABG surgery. In many respects, the protocol is similar to that for coronary CT angiography (CTA). One important difference is that the scan should be extended superiorly to include the origins of the internal mammary arteries. At the University of Maryland, patients are scanned using a 64-MDCT scanner (Philips Medical Systems, Best, the Netherlands). Patients are placed in the gantry in the supine position. The scan duration is approximately 15 seconds. At our center, scanning is performed in a caudal-to-cranial direction to obtain images of the heart during the initial part of the acquisition when breath-holding is most effective. The acquisition parameters are 120 kV, 0.4-second rotation time, 800 mAs, pitch of 0.2, and 64 × 0.625-mm detectors (Table 1).

Cardiac CTA technique requires rapid injection of nonionic, iodinated, low-osmolar intravenous contrast. At our institution, 150 mL of isohexol (Omnipaque 350 mgI/mL; GE Healthcare Inc., Princeton, NJ) with saline is injected using a dual-head injector (EnVision CT Injection System; Medrad, Indianola, PA). To optimize the opacification of the left ventricle, coronary arteries, and bypass grafts, an anatomic, automatic triggering method (Bolus Pro, Philips Medical Systems) is used, with a threshold preset of 150 HU at the region of interest in the descending aorta and a 10-second delay prior to image acquisition.

Oral or intravenous beta-adrenergic blocking medications, specifically met o prolol (Lopressor; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., East Hanover, NJ), are administered prior to scanning to prevent heart rate variability and tachycardia. Images are acquired with a heart rate <70 beats per second, if possible, and with breath-holding during mid-inspiration to prevent substantial inflow of unopacified blood into the right atrium, which may result in heterogeneity of contrast.

Retrospective ECG-gated CTA is essential for optimal image acquisition and reconstruction of evenly spaced phases of the cardiac cycle. The images are acquired in a limited field of view with axial images centered on the heart. Using 60% to 80% of the R-R interval, with 0.9-mm thick images reconstructed in 0.45-mm increments, axial source images, 3D volume-rendered images, and multiplanar reformatted (MPR) images are generated. Both 3D volume-rendering and MPR images are used to assess the bypass grafts, proximal and/or distal graft anastomoses, and the cardiac anatomy. In particular, curved planar images with centerlines through the bypass grafts and native coronary arteries are obtained.

To assess CABG patency, a thorough knowledge of CABG anatomy and its configuration on CTA is essential. There are 2 types of bypass grafts, arterial and venous (Figure 1). As a rule, arterial grafts are smaller in caliber than venous grafts. In order of frequency of use, graft arteries include the internal mammary arteries (IMAs), radial arteries (RAs), right gastroepiploic artery, and inferior epigastric artery. Although arterial grafts have better long-term outcomes, venous grafts, specifically saphenous vein grafts (SVGs), are more readily available.

CTA following CABG surgery is done by first assessing the morphology and size of the ascending aorta and in the case of an in situ vessel, such as the IMA, the origin of the in situ vessel. Then, graft patency is assessed for homogeneous, contrast-enhanced graft lumen and for regular shape and border of the graft wall. The graft is usually divided into 3 different segments: the origin or proximal anastomosis of the graft, the body of the graft, and the single (or sequential) distal anastomosis.¹⁸ During the CTA evaluation of bypass grafts, the proximal anastomosis is usually better visualized than the distal anastomosis. In cases in which the distal anastomosis is not well evaluated, the bypass graft is usually considered patent as long as contrast is evident within the graft lumen.

The SVG was first successfully used in a CABG operation in 1964.¹⁹ Both the benefits and limitations of SVG have been well documented in the literature. Saphenous veins are fairly simple to access and harvest from the lower extremities, and they are more versatile and widely available than arterial grafts. In addition, during the intra- and perioperative period, saphenous veins are resistant to spasm versus their arterial counterparts. However, the use of SVGs is limited by distortion from varicose and sclerotic disease as well as a higher occurrence of intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerotic changes after exposure to systemic blood pressure, resulting in lower patency rates.^5,7 Graft occlusion can also occur due to vascular damage during harvesting of the saphenous vein. In a large study, the SVG patency was 88% perioperatively, 81% at 1 year, 75% at 5 years, and 50% at ≥15 years.²⁰ The graft attrition rate between 1 and 6 years after CABG surgery is 1% to 2% per year, and between 6 and 10 years is 4% per year.²¹ Nonetheless, the adminstration of antiplatelet and lipid-lowering medications and the continual improvement in surgical techniques have increased the patency of SVGs.^22-24

Saphenous veins are attached proximally from the ascending aorta to the coronary artery distal to the diseased coronary lesion(s). The SVG can be sutured directly to the anterior portion of the ascending aorta or can be attached with an anastomotic device, allowing faster, sutureless attachment. The device alters the common appearance of the bypass graft by requiring the aortic connector to be anastomosed perpendicularly to the aorta. In order to support the course of the aortovenous anastomosis, the left-sided SVG is connected to the left side of the aorta, stabilizing the graft on top of the main pulmonary artery.²⁵ A right-sided SVG is attached either to the lower aspect or right side of the ascending aorta, allowing the graft to traverse the right arterioventricular groove.

Saphenous grafts tend to appear as large contrast-filled vessels. An SVG to the right side is attached to the distal right coronary artery (RCA), posterior descending artery (PDA), or distal LAD artery (Figure 1). The distal anastomosis may lie on the phrenic wall of the heart (Figure 2). An SVG to the left side is attached distally to the LAD artery, diagonal artery, left circumflex (LCx) artery, or the obtuse marginal (OM) arteries, by traversing anteriorly and superiorly to the right ventricular outflow tract or main pulmonary artery. On occasion, the distal SVG is anastomosed sequentially to ≥2 coronary vessels or in the same vessel, using side-to-side and end-to-side anastomoses. The native vessel distal to the anastamotic site should be assessed and is recognized by its position and smaller caliber compared with the SVG. Typically, there are few if any surgical clips accompanying venous bypass grafts, lessening streak artifacts that may limit graft evaluation.

Compared with the saphenous vein, the IMA has unique biological characteristics that enable it to resist atherosclerosis and maintain high patency rates. The IMA has a nonfenestrated internal elastic lamina and lacks vaso vasorum inside the vessel wall, which tends to protect against intimal hyperplasia and cellular migration.²¹ In addition, the medial layer of IMA is thin and is limited in muscle cells, resulting in a decreased tendency for maladaptive vasoconstriction. Moreover, the endo thelium produces platelet inhibitor (prostacyclin) and vasodilator (nitric oxide) and the lipid and glycosaminoglycan compositions are resistant to atherogenesis.²⁶ Therefore, use of the IMA decreases all postoperative cardiac events and mortality, and is associated with a long-term patency rate well >90% at 10 years.^21,27,28

Due to its proximity to the LAD artery and favorable patency rates, the left IMA (LIMA) is most commonly used as an in situ graft to revascularize the LAD or diagonal artery, supplying the anterior or anterolateral cardiac wall (Figure 3). The LIMA extends from its origin at the subclavian artery and courses through the anterior mediastinum along the right ventricular outflow tract after being separated surgically from its original position in the left parasternal region. Infrequently, sequential distal anastomoses, with side-to-side and end-to-side anastomoses to the diagonal and LAD arteries, respectively, or involving separate sections of the LAD artery, are performed (Figure 1).¹⁸ On CTA, the LIMA is usually visualized as a small vessel in the left anterior mediastinum. As with other grafts, the distal anastamosis is typically most difficult to visualize. Surgical clips are used routinely to occlude branch vessels of the IMA, and metallic artifact may limit assessment in some instances.²⁹

The right IMA (RIMA) is used less frequently than the LIMA. The RIMA can be placed as an in situ graft to revascularize the RCA or one of its branches. In cases in which both in situ IMAs are necessary to revascularize the left heart, either the LIMA is anastomosed to the LCx artery or other side branches (ie, OM or diagnonal branches) and the RIMA is attached to the LAD artery, or the LIMA is connected to the LAD artery and the RIMA is joined to the LCx artery or OM branches by extension through the transverse sinus of the pericardium (Figure 1).³⁰ Otherwise, the RIMA can be resected from the right subclavian artery and used as a composite or free graft. As a composite or “Y” graft, the RIMA is anastomosed proximally to LIMA, allowing total arterial revascularization instead of using a venous graft with LIMA. Although still controversial, some studies have reported improved clinical outcomes using total arterial revascularization, with reduction of angina recurrence and improved patency rate over a LIMA graft coupled with an SVG.^31-33 As a free graft, a RIMA is anastomosed to the anterior ascending aorta and used in the same way as an SVG. The CTA appearance of the RIMA is similar to that of the LIMA.

The use of the RA in CABG surgery was first described in 1973.³⁴ The RA is usually harvested from the nondominant arm and is used as a third arterial graft, either as a free or composite graft or to avoid using a venous graft (Figure 4). As a muscular artery from the forearm, the RA has a prominent medial layer and elevated vasoreactivity, which results in a lower patency rate than that of IMA grafts. On CTA, the caliber of the RA is similar to the IMA, but it typically is visualized coursing from the ascending aorta to the native coronary artery (Figures 1 and 2). In the early postoperative period, the RA may be reduced in caliber and may be difficult to identify because of vasospasm. In addition, because the RA is a muscular artery, a larger number of surgical clips may be needed to ligate collaterals as compared with IMA grafts. These clips may limit a full CTA evaluation of an RA graft.

The use of right gastroepiploic and inferior epigastric arteries in CABG procedures has been limited because of the need to extend the median sternotomy to expose the abdominal cavity. Although the use of these arteries increases surgical time and technical difficulty of the surgery, these arteries can be used as a free graft to perform total arterial revascularization.^35-37 In rare instances, the right gastroepiploic artery may be used in situ to the PDA. These instances require that the surgical history be conveyed to the radiologist so the CTA protocol can be modified to include the upper abdomen, because the gastroepiploic artery is freed to course anteriorly to the liver and through the diaphragm to reach the target vessel (Figure 5).

Graft thrombosis and occlusion

Bypass graft failures are classified either as early or late following CABG surgery. During the early phase, usually within 1 month after CABG surgery, the most common cause of graft failure is thrombosis from platelet dysfunction at the site of focal endothelial damage during surgical harvesting and anastomosis.²⁰ Additionally, other factors (such as the hypercoagulability state of the patient and the high-pressure distension or stretching of the venous graft, with its intrinsically weaker antithrombotic features) further initiate early venous graft failure, resulting in a 3% to 12% occlusion rate within 1 month postoperatively.²¹

Late-phase venous graft failure is due primarily to progressive changes related to systemic blood pressure exposure.³⁸ One month after surgery, the venous graft starts to undergo neointimal hyperplasia.²¹ Although this process does not produce significant stenosis, it is the foundation for later development of graft atheroma. Beyond 1 year, athero sclerosis is the dominant process, resulting in graft stenosis and occlusion. On the other hand, arterial grafts, specifically IMA grafts, are resistant to atheroma development. Late IMA graft failure is more commonly due to progression of atherosclerotic disease in the native coronary artery distal to the graft anastomosis.³⁹

CT angiography can delineate multiple findings associated with graft stenosis and occlusion. Calcified and noncalcified atherosclerotic plaque is readily identified, and the calculation of the extent of graft narrowing is straightforward (Figure 6). Occlusion can be determined by nonvisualization of a vessel known to have been used for surgical grafting. In many instances, the most proximal part of an occluded aortocoronary graft fills with contrast, creating a small, telltale outpouching or “nubbin” from the ascending aorta, allowing a diagnosis (Figure 7). A “ghost” of part of the occluded graft may be visible. Acute or chronic graft occlusion can sometimes be differentiated by the diameter of the bypass graft. In chronic occlusion, the diameter is usually reduced from scarring, as compared with acute occlusion in which the diameter is usually enlarged.

Early bypass graft failure can also be due to a malpositioned graft.⁴⁰ If the graft is too long, it may twist or kink (Figure 8). If the graft is too short, it may stretch, a particular problem in severe chronic obstructive lung disease patients with hyperinflated lungs. As described previously, the aortic connector can also play a role in kinking the bypass graft if the vessel is not supported adequately.

As previously noted, RA grafts are susceptible to vasospasm. The appearance is similar to fixed graft stenosis, although the luminal narrowing is more extensive in length. Nevertheless, the administration of intraoperative alpha-adrenergic blocking agents or posteroperative calcium channel blockers can overcome many cases of graft vasospasm postoperatively.^28,41 Today, the patency rate for RA grafts is approximately 92% at 10 years, similar to IMA grafts.

There are 2 types of bypass graft aneurysms: true aneurysms and pseudo aneurysms. True aneuryms are usually found 5 to 7 years after CABG surgery and are related to atherosclerotic disease.⁴² On the other hand, occurrences of pseudoaneurysms are more variable, although these lesions are usually found at the anastomotic site (Figure 9). Pseudo-aneurysm cases that are found earlier may be related to infection or tension at the anastomotic site, resulting in suture rupture. In late-onset pseudoaneurysms, similar to true aneurysms, atherosclerotic changes likely played a role.⁴³

Currently, there is no clear guideline for surgery. Size >2 cm has been a cause for concern. Graft aneurysms can lead to various complications, including compression and mass effect on adjacent structures, thrombosis and embolization of the bypass graft leading to an acute coronary event, formation of fistula to the right atrium and ventricle, sudden rupture leading to hemothorax, hemopericardium, or death.⁴²

Approximately 75% of patients have postoperative pericardial effusions after CABG surgery (Figure 10).⁴⁴ Although pericardial effusions are common, only 0.3% of patients progress to cardiac temponade.⁴⁵ Risk factors include postoperative coagulation abnormality or use of anticoagulation agents. Nearly all significant pericardial effusions are diagnosed within 5 days postoperatively, peak in 10 days, and resolve within a month.⁴⁶ Postoperative pleural effusions are even more numerous after surgery, a prevalence of 89% 7 days after surgery.⁴⁷ These pleural effusions are usually unilateral, small, left-sided, and without clinical significance.

Another important complication of the CABG procedure is sternal infection, with a prevalence of 1% to 20%.^48,49 Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, obesity, complexity of surgery, length of surgical time, and blood transfusions. Three different compartments may be affected: the presternal (cellulitis, sinus tracts, abscess), sternal (osteomyelitis, dehiscence), or retrosternal (mediastinitis, hematoma, abscess) compartments.⁵⁰ The mortality rate is high; a recent study reported a 1-year mortality rate of approximately 22%.⁵¹ Thus, CTA is important in revealing the extent and depth of infection, which, in turn, will help guide treatment planning.⁵² Usually, the preservation of mediastinal fat planes in CTA excludes surgical intervention. On the other hand, obliteration of mediastinum fat planes and diffuse soft tissue infiltration without or with gas collection, or low-density fluid collections within the mediastinum, are concerning for sternal infection.⁵³

Although the intent of CTA after CABG surgery is to assess bypass graft patency and surgical complications, incidental findings are also frequently detected. In a recent study, 13.1% of patients in the immediate postoperative period had unsuspected noncardiac findings, including pulmonary embolism, pulmonary nodules, pneumonia, mucous plugging, and pneumothorax.⁵⁴ Therefore, radiologists need to be aware of clinically significant findings with possible life-threatening consequences.

In recent years, CTA technology has evolved substantially, allowing radiologists to evaluate bypass graft patency noninvasively with greater confidence. In addition, other postoperative complications that may cause recurrent chest pain can be investigated. Thus, it is crucial that radiologists be familiar with the different types of grafts used in CABG, possible complications, and incidental findings to maximize the effectiveness of CTA after bypass surgery.