title: Diagnostic performance of 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography to detect significant coronary artery stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) to detect significant coronary artery stenosis with comparison to conventional coronary angiography (CCA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 100 patients (70 men, average age 58 +/- 10 years and age range 31-75 years) scheduled to have conventional coronary angiography, MSCT was performed before catheterization (within 2 months). All patients were in sinus rhythm, able to hold breath for 15 seconds, and had serum creatinine levels < 1.5 mg/dl. MSCT scans were analysed by a radiologist and a cardiologist. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the detection of significant stenoses by MSCT in comparison with CCA were calculated on patient, vessel, and segmental bases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  64-slice computed tomography is able to detect significant coronary artery stenosis on a segmental basis with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 99% when compared with CCA. All patients with significantly stenotic coronary artery disease are correctly diagnosed. The presence of significant stenosis was correctly diagnosed by MSCT in 126 of 144 segments. Twelve non-significant lesions on CCA were overestimated by MSCT. On vessel-based analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of MSCT for detecting significant stenosis were 91% and 97%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that 64-slice computed coronary angiography is a reliable diagnostic modality for the detection of significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with sinus rhythm and scheduled to have CCA, but still has limitations of diagnostic performance on a per-segment and per-vessel basis.
authors: Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. dfatihbayrak@yahoo.com
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Bayrak
authors: Tahsin
authors: T
authors: Guneysu
authors: Gokmen
authors: G
authors: Gemici
authors: Deniz
authors: D
authors: Sevinc
authors: Bulent
authors: B
authors: Mutlu
authors: Semih
authors: S
authors: Aytaclar
authors: Muzaffer
authors: M
authors: Degertekin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*