Utility of Radiopaque Bypass Graft Markers During Coronary Angiography Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND: Radiopaque bypass graft markers allow easy visualization of the location of the graft and can minimize contrast use and radiation exposure during follow-up coronary angiography. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed coronary artery bypass graft patients who underwent subsequent coronary angiography in the John Cochrane Veterans Affairs Medical Center from January 2009 until September 2017. RESULTS: Patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography with proximal graft markers required less contrast use (P<.02) and less fluoroscopy time (P<.01). The presence or absence of proximal graft markers had no significant difference on the rise of creatinine following coronary angiography (P=.28). CONCLUSION: Bypass graft markers reduce contrast and radiation use in follow-up coronary angiography and reduce incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury.