title: Coronary computed tomography angiography---a promising imaging modality in diagnosing coronary artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditionally, information on coronary artery lesions is obtained from invasive coronary angiography (CAG). The clinical applicability and diagnostic performance of the newly developed 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scanner in coronary angiographic evaluation is not well evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was performed in 345 patients (119 women, 226 men; mean age, 59.64 +/- 11.67 years). Concomitant CAG was performed in 53 patients. The diagnostic performance of CCTA for detecting significant lesions was compared with that of CAG by 3 independent cardiologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All CCTA was performed without complication. Comparison between CCTA and CAG was made in the 53 patients who underwent both studies. Sensitivity, specificity and the positive and negative predictive values for the 53 patients were: 81%, 99%, 87% and 99%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 64-slice MSCT, developed in recent years, allows reliable noninvasive evaluation of coronary artery morphology, including plaque, stenosis and congenital anomaly. The diagnostic accuracy of MSCT scans for detecting lesions makes it a good imaging substitute for CAG in the evaluation of these coronary segments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Shu-Chen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Ching-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chi-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shih-Pu
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*