Purpose: The aim of this study was to define the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the follow-up assessment of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using an evidence-based medicine (EBM) approach.
Materials and methods: We performed a literature search of the most reputable studies published in the period 1990-2005 on the clinical follow-up of patients after myocardial revascularisation by CABG. Relevant studies were ranked according to levels of evidence using EBM criteria. A similar search was also conducted on the Internet to identify and review the guidelines posted by the major international scientific societies.
Results: A total of 29 papers meeting the basic reliability requirements of EBM were identified. The reported sensitivity and specificity for electrocardiogram (ECG) testing, stress echocardiography and radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging were 45% and 82%, 86% and 90%, and 68% and 84%, respectively. All 16 CT studies (one retrospective, the remaining prospective) were validation studies comparing MDCT with conventional coronary angiography. The total number of patients and graft segments studied were 705 and 1,974, respectively. The total number of assessable graft segments were 62%-100%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 75%-100% and 76.9%-100%, respectively.
Conclusions: The applications of MDCT in the follow-up assessment of patients after CABG are derived from indirect evidence only. The efficacy of the method should be evaluated in randomised clinical trials comparing MDCT not only with conventional coronary angiography but also with other noninvasive stress imaging methods. On the basis of the clinical evidence reported in the literature, the indications for the use of MDCT are still limited. In our view, the completion of such randomised trials combined with the development of new-generation scanners is required to correctly define the role of MDCT in the follow-up assessment of patients who have undergone CABG.