Observer variability with conventional and digital subtraction carotid angiograms.
A study was carried out to evaluate the intra- and inter-observer variability in the determination of the severity of carotid artery stenosis on conventional and digital subtraction angiograms. The primary goal was to compare the two types of contrast studies as "gold standards" for the evaluation of non-invasive tests. Linear regression analysis of the continuous variable of percentage stenosis yielded correlation coefficients from 0.90 to 0.99. Findings were also evaluated in terms of the discrete variables formed by dividing the lesions into five categories of stenosis: kappa analysis ranged from 0.53 to 0.91. Although the digital subtraction arteriograms had greater variability than conventional ones, careful measurement of the digital images can provide a reliable estimate of the degree of stenosis.
Moll
F L
FL
Vascular Surgery Section, ULCA School of Medicine 91343.
Baker
J D
JD
Gomes
A S
AS
D000328:Adult; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012015:Reference Standards; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013382:Subtraction Technique