COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ARTERIOGRAPHY TO ASSESS GREATER SAPHENOUS VEIN AS A CONDUIT FOR PERIPHERAL BYPASS

Background: To determine whether computed tomography arteriography of the lower extremities (64‐slice volume computed tomography (CT)), used in delineating the arterial tree in peripheral vascular disease, is useful in assessing suitability of greater saphenous vein as a vascular conduit for peripheral bypass grafting for limb‐threatening lower limb ischaemia. A search of published works in August 2005 showed no similar study has been published. Methods: A prospective study of nine consecutive patients who had undergone lower limb CT arteriography and long saphenous vein colour duplex ultrasound (U/S) were studied. Results: Good concordance between colour duplex U/S and CT arteriography was obtained. Conclusion: Computed tomography images of the long saphenous vein as a part of arterial lower limb CT arteriography correlate well with preoperative conduit assessment colour duplex U/S findings of the long saphenous vein.