The Role of Preoperative Chest CAT Scan in Cardiac Surgical Patients

Introduction: Arteriosclerosis of the ascending aorta is increasingly encountered in cardiac surgical patients as patients accepted for cardiac surgery get older. We evaluated the effect of introducing preoperative Chest CAT scan in the preoperative work-up for cardiac surgery concerning the change in strategy. Materials and methods: From May 1st 2015 until October 1st 2015 all patients of 70 years and older as well as younger patients with peripheral vascular disease presented in the heart team and accepted for surgery received a preoperative Chest CAT scan. We evaluated in which patients the initially established treatment was changed. Furthermore we investigated which patients had a stroke after surgery. Results: 583 patients were discussed in the Heart Team during the study period. 290 patients were accepted for surgery. 195 patients fitted the criteria for a CAT scan. In this group in 18 patients (9.2%) the treatment was changed because of severe calcification of the ascending aorta or peripheral cannulation site. None of the 272 patients who underwent surgery had a stroke. Conclusion: Preoperative Chest Cat scan gives essential information concerning the calcification of the ascending aorta and should be recommended in the preoperative work-up at least in elderly patients and patients with peripheral vascular disease.