Combined non-invasive anatomical and functional assessment with MSCT and MRI for the detection of significant coronary artery disease in patients with an intermediate pre-test likelihood.
OBJECTIVE
To compare magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging (MRI) with anatomical assessment by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography and conventional coronary angiography.


METHODS
In this prospective study, 53 patients (60% male, average age 57+/-9 years, 83% intermediate pre-test likelihood) underwent 1.5 T MRI, 64-slice MSCT and conventional coronary angiography.


METHODS
The presence of significant stenosis (>or=50% luminal narrowing) was determined on MSCT and conventional coronary angiography. Ischaemia on MRI was defined as a stress perfusion abnormality in the absence of delayed contrast enhancement.


RESULTS
A significant stenosis was seen on MSCT in 15 (28%) patients, while ischaemia on MRI was seen in 19 (36%). In the 38 patients without significant stenosis on MSCT, normal perfusion was seen in 29 (76%). In patients with a significant stenosis on MSCT, ischaemia was seen in 10 (67%). In all patients without significant stenosis on MSCT and normal perfusion on MRI (n=29), significant stenosis was absent on conventional coronary angiography. All patients with both MSCT and MRI abnormal (n=10) had significant stenoses on conventional coronary angiography.


CONCLUSIONS
The anatomical and functional data obtained with MSCT and MRI are complementary for the assessment of coronary artery disease. These findings support the sequential or combined assessment of anatomy and function.
Departement of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
Jacob M
JM
van Werkhoven
Mark W
MW
Heijenbrok
Joanne D
JD
Schuijf
J Wouter
JW
Jukema
Ernst E
EE
van der Wall
Joop H M
JH
Schreur
Jeroen J
JJ
Bax
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods