Sixty-four slice CT is nearly as accurate as cardiac catheterization in diagnosing blockages in heart arteries, according to results of the CorE 64 Study announced today by Julie Miller, MD, of Johns Hopkins Medical Center and lead study author. According to the CorE 64 study, as much as 25 percent of the 1.3 million cardiac catheterization that are performed each year in the United States may not be necessary.
 
The CorE 64 findings were presented today at the American Hearth Association’s annual Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla.
 
The study results showed that a 64-slice CT scan provides nearly as much information regarding blockages as the more invasive cardiac catheterization. An average of 91 percent of the patients with blockages were detected by the 64-slice CT and the scans were also able to diagnosis 83 percent of the patients without blockages.
 
The researchers selected 291 men and women over the age of 40 who were already scheduled to have cardiac catheterizations to check for blockages. Each had a 64-slice CT prior to their procedure.
 
The new study also supports that 64-slice CT scanners are a good alternatives to cardiac stress testing.
 
Look for more in-depth reporting on the CorE 64 study to follow from Health Imaging & IT.