Study: Multislice CT provides safe detection of coronary heart disease
A study featured in a recent issue of JAMA says multislice CT is an effective additional tool in the detection of coronary heart disease.
The current diagnostic standard for evaluation, invasive coronary angiography, includes some procedure risk, can cause patient discomfort, and requires considerable follow-up care, according to the study. Multislice CT, on the other hand, appears to be highly reliable and accurate, though the risks associated with radiation exposure and contrast agents still remains.
The study was completed at the University Hospital in Ulm, Germany, where the diagnostic accuracy of 16-slice CT scanning was compared to invasive coronary angiography in a study of 103 patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease.
According to the findings, the predictive values for detecting significant lesions of greater than 50 percent narrowing for multislice CT compared to invasive coronary angiography were: 95 percent for segment-based sensitivity, 98 percent for specificity, and 87 percent for negative and 99 percent for positive predictive values. Quantitative comparison of the two techniques showed strong correlation. Additionally, per-patient based analysis revealed the strong discrimination ability of multislice CT in evaluating patients who are potential candidates for revascularization, the study said.
The current diagnostic standard for evaluation, invasive coronary angiography, includes some procedure risk, can cause patient discomfort, and requires considerable follow-up care, according to the study. Multislice CT, on the other hand, appears to be highly reliable and accurate, though the risks associated with radiation exposure and contrast agents still remains.
The study was completed at the University Hospital in Ulm, Germany, where the diagnostic accuracy of 16-slice CT scanning was compared to invasive coronary angiography in a study of 103 patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease.
According to the findings, the predictive values for detecting significant lesions of greater than 50 percent narrowing for multislice CT compared to invasive coronary angiography were: 95 percent for segment-based sensitivity, 98 percent for specificity, and 87 percent for negative and 99 percent for positive predictive values. Quantitative comparison of the two techniques showed strong correlation. Additionally, per-patient based analysis revealed the strong discrimination ability of multislice CT in evaluating patients who are potential candidates for revascularization, the study said.