Association between changes in coronary artery circulation and cardiac venous retention: a lesson from cardiac computed tomography

To use computed tomography (CT) image data to measure a potential association between the implantation of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) and changes in the coronary venous system has not yet been examined. In 112 (aged 59.4 ± 9.0; 45F) patients (pts.), a 64-slice CT angiography was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: CABG (56 pts.) and control (56 pts.)—without changes in coronaries. In each case, ten multi-planar reconstructions (MPR) and 3D volume rendering reconstructions using a 2 mm layer with ECG-gating, helical pitch: 12.8; rotation time: 0.4 s and average tube voltage: 135 kV at 380 mA. The visualization of the coronary veins was independently graded by 2 experts trained in CT. In the CABG group, the average number of visible coronary veins was 5.3 ± 1.3, while in the control group it was 3.1 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001). Statistical differences were also observed for the following coronary veins: posterolateral (control 2.1 ± 1.9 vs. CABG 2.9 ± 1.9; p < 0.05), lateral (control 2.2 ± 1.7 vs. CABG 3.1 ± 1.3; p < 0.01) and anterolateral (control 0.5 ± 0.9 vs. CABG 1.3 ± 1.0; p < 0.001). Implantation of CABG influences the coronary venous system. In patients after CABG, the number of identifiable coronary veins is significantly higher as compared to that in subjects without changes in coronaries. This might suggest an association between changes in coronary artery circulation and cardiac venous retention.