Comparison of 16-slice computed tomography with conventional angiography to evaluate coronary artery stent patency.

OBJECTIVE In this study, we evaluated the utility of 16-slice MDCT (multidetector computed tomography) to assess stent patency after coronary artery stenting. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective ECG-gated CT-angiography using 16-slice MDCT was performed in 52 consecutive patients with coronary artery stents. Qualitative assessment of 61 coronary stent lumens by MDCT is reported, and the reasons preventing assessment were investigated. RESULTS All non-assessable stents were non-assessable due to partial volume effects and metal artifacts. To evaluate instent restenosis, conventional coronary angiography was performed on the 54 assessable stents in 48 patients, and the results were compared with the MDCT results. Based on the results of the conventional coronary angiography, MDCT correctly detected four in-stent restenosis. CONCLUSION Despite some limitations, 16-slice MDCT provides sufficient evaluations of some coronary stents, and can detect in-stent restenosis with high accuracy.