Graft Test

[jerry1001]

I had a triple bypass in Aug 2007....is there a test that would indicate how those grafts are holding up.  

[ed34]

I had an angiogram in 2008 for the same purpose, but this can only pick up vessels with a blood flow. I had 2 totally collapsed grafted veins which the angiogram couldn't find. After trying to follow the surgeons notes from my surgery as to the locations, he finally gave up.
I then had a CT scan where dye was injected slowly through my arm. The images produced from this scanner were mind blowing. You could see a complete 3D image of my heart along with blood vessels and how much blood they were carrying. The veins were there, just like bits of string, completely empty.
I have to add tho, that I certainly knew when they collapsed. The very sudden shortness of breath brought me to my knees for about 20 minutes. Then angina returned as a common occurrence.

[kenkeith]

There are angiogram tests that inject a dye substance in the blood stream and the perfusion can be monitored by CT scan, cath, MRI.  I had a CT scan a couple of years ago, and the report of the results commented on the blood flow through the implanted stent was as expected. Blood flow through the harvested grafts can be assessed as with any other vessel.  

Hope this answers your question.  If you have any other questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Thanks for the question, take care.