Developments in coronary CT angiography.
CT imaging of the coronary arteries by contrast-enhanced CT, termed "coronary CT angiography" or "coronary CTA," has become increasingly stable and robust during the past few years. Several trials have demonstrated rather high diagnostic accuracies in somewhat selected patient groups, and this method can be applied clinically to rule out coronary artery stenoses. Based on clinical considerations, this will most likely be beneficial for symptomatic patients who are not at high risk for coronary artery disease, both with stable symptoms or presenting with acute chest pain. Other applications are more problematic, such as use in patients after stent placement or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Further improvements in technology are expected to allow expansion of indications for coronary CTA in the future.
Achenbach
Stephan
S
Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. stephan.achenbach@uk-erlangen.de
D000208:Acute Disease; D002637:Chest Pain; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends