Accuracy and rate of coronary artery segment visualization with CT angiography for the non-invasive detection of coronary artery stenoses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate CT coronary angiography (CTA) when compared with catheter coronary angiography (CCA), for the detection of coronary artery stenoses and rate of optimal coronary artery segment visualization.


METHODS
Retrospective, two-center study enrolling 26 patients who underwent CCA and ECG-gated 16-detector CTA (slice thickness 0.6 mm; rotation 500 ms).


CONCLUSIONS
283 segments were available for postprocessing. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were, respectively, 80, 100, and 100%, for detecting more than 50% luminal stenoses, when optimally visualized segments were considered, in comparison to CCA. Negative predictive value was excellent (98%). Rate of non-optimally visualized coronary segments was 26%. Most clinical benefits of coronary CT angiography should probably be obtained when it is performed to exclude significant stenoses on selected populations of patients with a low pre-test probability of severe coronary artery disease, and under optimal conditions of controlled heart rate and minimal presence of calcium.
Bordeleau
Edith
E
Cardiopulmonary Section, Radiology department, University of Montreal Medical Center (CHUM), Saint-Luc Hospital, 1058 Saint-Denis street, H2X 3J4, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Lamonde
Alexandre
A
Prenovault
Julie
J
Belblidia
Assia
A
Coté
Gilles
G
Lespérance
Jacques
J
Soulez
Gilles
G
Chartrand-Lefebvre
Carl
C
D000368:Aged; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol