Comparison of fluoroscopy time in different catheter-engagement approaches to graft vessels in post-coronary artery-bypass graft angiography

Abstract

Background: Although there is ongoing progress in coronary artery-bypass graft (CABG) surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention techniques and supplies, the risk of cardiac complications remains high compared with the normal population. Aim: In this study, our aim was to compare fluoroscopy times in engagement of three different catheters in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) in post-CABG patients undergoing angiography. Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional, comparative study. We evaluated patients with previous CABG referred for invasive coronary diagnostic angiography. Patients having had SVG-obtuse marginal artery, SVG-diagonal, and SVG-posterior descending artery CABG were included. All patients underwent diagnostic angiography by each of a right diagnostic Judkins catheter, right modified Amplatz catheter, and right guiding Judkins catheter. Demographics and clinical history of patients and fluoroscopy time in different groups were evaluated. Results: A total of 61 patients were evaluated. The distribution of baseline characteristics in the three groups of our study was normal. Mean fluoroscopy time in SVG-obtuse marginal artery was 25.70 +/- 6.70 seconds in group A, 22.23 +/- 6.51 seconds in group B, and 17.35 +/- 7.82 seconds in group C. Mean total fluoroscopy time was 86.35 +/- 16.28 seconds in group A, 73.80 +/- 10.00 seconds in group B, and 51.90 +/- 10.22 seconds in group C, which was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that when we use the guiding Judkins catheter, fluoroscopy time decreases. However, more evaluations are needed with larger-scale studies and identification of other variables.