Prognostic and accuracy data of multidetector CT coronary angiography in an established clinical service.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy of clinical coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) data compared to invasive coronary angiography, and to determine the prognostic value of a negative coronary CTA examination in symptomatic, intermediate-risk patients.


METHODS
Thirty-seven months of coronary CTA data were audited. Seventy-eight patients were identified who had undergone coronary CTA followed by invasive coronary angiography (ICA) to determine the accuracy of CTA versus ICA. One hundred and seventy-eight patients were identified who had a "negative" coronary CTA to enable evaluation of the prognostic value of a negative CTA examination.


RESULTS
Of the 78 patients in the accuracy analysis group there were 43 true-negative, two false-negative, 26 true-positive, and seven false-positive results producing a sensitivity of 92.9%, specificity of 86%, negative predictive value of 95.6%, and positive predictive value of 78.8%. The 178 patients who had a negative coronary CTA examination were followed up for a mean of 366 days and were all alive (0% mortality) with no episodes of myocardial infarction or unstable angina; two patients underwent elective revascularization procedures (1.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
According to medium-term analysis, the accuracy of the clinical coronary CTA programme is in line with published trial data, producing excellent sensitivity and negative predictive values. The finding of a negative coronary CTA in symptomatic, intermediate-risk patients appears to confer a good prognosis, at mean follow-up of 1 year, with no deaths or episodes of myocardial infarction or unstable angina. This suggests that the prognostic value of a negative coronary CTA may be similar to that conferred by negative myocardial perfusion scintigraphy or stress echocardiography.
Department of Cardiology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon, UK. Robin.vanLingen@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk
R
R
Van Lingen
N
N
Kakani
A
A
Veitch
N E
NE
Manghat
C A
CA
Roobottom
G J
GJ
Morgan-Hughes
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*