320 Multidetector Computed Tomography Prior to Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

320 Multidetector Computed Tomography in the Preoperative Assessment for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Recent advances in technology have resulted in the development of scanners that can n image the heart arteries within 10 to 20 minutes but without the need for admission to hospital or insertion of catheters. This means that coronary heart disease may be more readily identified (or ruled out) and allow better diagnosis and treatment of patients with symptoms suggesting coronary heart disease. Here, we propose to assess the latest and most powerful scanners to see if it can accurately diagnose the extent of coronary artery disease and facilitate the planning of heart surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients who have undergone conventional coronary angiography and have been referred for coronary artery bypass surgery or valve replacement

Exclusion Criteria:

• age less than 18
• pregnancy or breast feeding
• inability to undergo computed tomography scanning
• inability to give informed consent
• severe renal failure (serum creatinine >250umol/l or estimated glomerular filtration rate <15ml/min)
• known allergy to iodinated contrast