Coronary CT angiography after revascularization

Abstract

Because of the high number of coronary revascularizations clinicians frequently have to assess bypass or stent function in patients presenting with chest pain or other symptoms suggesting dysfunction. Predominantly, invasive coronary angiography is performed for this purpose. In the last decade innovations in CT scanners, protocols and reconstructions have led to a remarkable increase in diagnostic accuracy of coronary CT angiography for the assessment of coronary bypass grafts and stents whereas radiation exposure has signifi- cantly decreased. Occlusions of bypass grafts and occlusive in-stent stenoses can be ruled out with a high negative predictive value approaching 100 %.