Limited diagnostic yield of non-invasive coronary angiography by 16-slice multi-detector spiral computed tomography in routine patients referred for evaluation of coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
Multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) is a promising non-invasive method to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD). As no detailed comparative evaluation in consecutive patients referred for evaluation of CAD has been reported, this prospective study evaluating 2384 coronary segments in 149 consecutive patients was performed.


RESULTS
The coronary artery tree was analysed in 16 segments both for coronary angiography (CA) and MSCT; a luminal narrowing > or = 50% based on visual assessment was considered significant. By MSCT, 77% of 2110 angiographically assessable segments could be evaluated, 94% per patient in proximal and 70% in distal segments (P<0.001). Sensitivity of MSCT to detect significant stenoses was 30% in all, but only 10% in peripheral segments. The main limitations were calcifications in 34% of segments and motion artefacts in 24% of patients. Overall diagnostic sensitivity for the presence of significant CAD was 86% but specificity was only 49%.


CONCLUSIONS
When compared with invasive CA, 16-slice MSCT is of limited diagnostic value for the diagnosis of CAD in consecutive patients. Despite a clinically useful sensitivity for the overall diagnosis of significant CAD, specificity is low. Thus, relevant decisions regarding the need of and suitability for possible revascularization procedures cannot be based on MSCT findings alone.
Kaiser
Christoph
C
Division of Cardiology, University Hospital, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. ckaiser@uhbs.ch
Bremerich
Jens
J
Haller
Sabine
S
Brunner-La Rocca
Hans Peter
HP
Bongartz
Georg
G
Pfisterer
Matthias
M
Buser
Peter
P
D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*