Postoperative evaluation of complex aortovisceral and aortorenal reconstructions by magnetic resonance angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the ability of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to evaluate complex vascular bypass reconstructions of the abdominal aorta and its major branches in the postoperative period.


METHODS
Thirteen patients with bypass grafts connecting the aorta to visceral, renal, and lower limb inflow vessels were evaluated with MRA. Three of these patients were also studied with digital subtraction angiography soon after MRA was completed. MRA was evaluated for its ability to detect the grafts and to determine the degree of stenosis in the graft conduit or at the anastomoses to native vessels.


RESULTS
Detection of graft conduits and anastomotic sites by MRA was 100% and 99%, respectively. Comparison with digital subtraction angiography in a subset of the patients showed a 100% agreement between the two modalities in their description of stenotic disease in graft conduits and 95% agreement in stenosis characterization at graft anastomotic sites.


CONCLUSIONS
MRA of complex aortic reconstructions with bypass grafts to its major abdominal branches arteries accurately describes the resulting complicated vascular anatomy and likely has a high degree of correlation to digital subtraction angiography in describing the disease within the bypass grafts.
Fidelman
Nicholas
N
Department of Radiology, University of California-San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, Room M-361, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Wilson
Mark W
MW
Boddington
Sophie
S
Knoess
Naomi
N
Lutz
Juergen
J
Wolanske
Kristen A C
KA
Kerlan
Robert K
RK
Laberge
Jeanne M
JM
Gordon
Roy L
RL
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012495:San Francisco; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D014781:Viscera / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery