Imaging of the coronary venous system: retrograde coronary sinus angiography versus venous phase coronary angiograms.
BACKGROUND
Left ventricular lead implantation for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) usually requires a pre- or intraprocedural occlusion contrast venography of the coronary sinus (CS) in order to identify tributaries to the lateral wall. As many patients undergo a preprocedural coronary angiogram, we investigated the diagnostic accuracy of venous phase imaging of the CS in patients prior to CRT implantation. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of venous phase coronary sinus angiography.


METHODS
In 24 CRT patients retrograde occlusion venography and venous phase coronary sinus angiography obtained during coronary angiography were compared with respect to image quality, vessel diameters and the ability to identify a coronary sinus side branch suitable for left ventricular lead placement.


RESULTS
Suitable target vessels for left ventricular lead implantation were identified in all patients irrespective of the method (retrograde occlusion venography or venous phase coronary sinus angiography). There was a high concordance in vessel diameters between venous phase and retrograde angiography. Visibility was superior in retrograde venography.


CONCLUSIONS
In heart failure patients who are scheduled for coronary angiograms venous phase coronary sinus angiography is a time-saving and easy to perform alternative imaging modality. Radiation exposure and the amount of contrast medium needed is reduced as compared to coronary sinus occlusion angiography. The information obtained thereby may be used to plan subsequent CRT implantation without the need for retrograde coronary sinus angiography.
Mischke
Karl
K
Department of Cardiology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
Knackstedt
Christian
C
Mühlenbruch
Georg
G
Schimpf
Thomas
T
Neef
Philip
P
Zarse
Markus
M
Plisiene
Jurgita
J
Stanzel
Sven
S
Eickholt
Christian
C
Fache
Kerstin
K
Frechen
Dirk
D
Spüntrup
Elmar
E
Hanrath
Peter
P
Kelm
Malte
M
Schauerte
Patrick
P
D000368:Aged; D021721:Balloon Occlusion; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results