Saphenous vein characteristics evaluated using three-dimensional contrastless computed tomography before coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: Saphenous vein (SV) grafts are occasionally unsuitable for grafting owing to anatomic variants. However, there is some concern regarding preoperative SV evaluation. We used contrastless 3D-CT to investigate the anatomical SV characteristics before CABG.

Methods: Contrastless 3D-CT was used to preoperatively evaluate the SV anatomy in 102 consecutive patients undergoing elective first-time CABG. The external diameter of the SV was measured at the mid-level of the thigh and calf segments on both sides. Abnormal branches of the SV were classified into three categories; (1) partial duplication, which was defined as double SVs; (2) large accessory SVs, which were larger than the great SV; and (3) complicated branches of the SV, which resulted in the great SV being undetected. The existence of varicose veins was assessed.

Results: The size distribution of the SV (< 3 mm/3-5 mm/5 mm <) was 9/142/53 and 17/154/33 in the thigh and calf segments, respectively. Abnormal branches of the SV were found in 47 patients (46%): (1) partial duplication was noted in 40 patients; (2) large accessory SV was observed in eight patients; and (3) complicated branches were identified in five patients. Varicose veins were detected in 15 patients. SV was harvested in 74 patients, and no additional skin incision was required.

Conclusions: Contrastless 3D-CT is an objective, less time-consuming modality to preoperatively evaluate the SV, and may be less invasive in terms of avoiding unnecessary skin incision. This technique is useful for defining atypical anatomical variations, such as partial duplications, large accessory SVs, and varicose veins.