Three-dimensional computed tomography for reoperative minimally invasive coronary artery bypass

We have been using three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) in reoper ative coronary artery bypass grafting performed by using a minimally invasi ve approach. Preoperative 3-D CT scanning can provide beneficial anatomical information about old patent grafts as well as the internal thoracic arter y. Thus a mini-thoracotomy can be created at an optimal site, leaving the o ld graft untouched, and the length of the harvested internal thoracic arter y, necessary for the bypass, can be assessed using this new modality. (Ann Thorac Surg 2000;70:1734-5) (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.