title: Feasibility and accuracy of 64-row MDCT coronary imaging from a centre with early experience: a review and comparison with established centres.
abstract: The accuracy of multi-detector computed tomographic (MDCI) coronary angiography (CTA) is dependant on image quality as well as the experience of the operator. Established centers have reported negative predictive values of over 95%. The aim of our study was to investigate the accuracy and feasibility of CTA for the assessment of haemodynamically significant coronary stenosis in a center with very early experience (<6 months) utilizing the improved spatial and temporal resolutions of the latest generation 64-row MDCI scanner. One hundred and twenty eight patients (93 male, 35 female; mean age 56.2 +/- 9.5 years) with suspected or known coronary artery disease underwent both CIA and conventional coronary angiographv (CCA). The sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for stenoses > or =50% by CIA compared to CCA were 70%, 97%, 70% and 97% respectively. Evaluation of main and proximal segments in patients with good quality images (78% of patients) produced values of 94%, 95%, 74% and 99% respectively. The improved spatial and temporal resolutions of 64-row MJ) CT provided a high negative predictive value in assessing significant coronary artery stenosis even in a centre with very early experience. However, new centers embarking on CTA might not be able to reproduce the results reported by more experienced centers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Sarawak General Hospital.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Seyfarth
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rapaee
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Sim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed