Publication
Title
Clinical impact of CT coronary angiography without exclusion of small coronary artery segments: a real-world and long-term study
Author
Abstract
Objectives CT coronary angiography (CTCA) has become a valuable diagnostic test in the workup of patients with possible coronary artery disease (CAD). Because of inherent limitations in spatial resolution, epicardial vessels with a small diameter, in general less than 1.5-2 mm, have so far been excluded in studies assessing clinical utility of CTCA. This study sought to assess the clinical impact of CTCA taking into account pathology in small coronary arteries. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients with possible CAD who underwent dual-source CTCA and subsequent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) between January 2010 and July 2017. Patients with an Agatston calcium score >= 1000 were reported separately. Diagnostic accuracy of CTCA on a patient, vessel and segment level was calculated. The physician's therapeutic decision was defined as conservative, medical antianginal treatment or revascularisation. Using ICA as the reference, we calculated the precision of CTCA to replicate these therapeutic recommendations. Results In total, 1209 patients underwent both CTCA and ICA. Overall diagnostic performance of CTCA showed a sensitivity of 90% (95% CI 86% to 93%) and specificity of 40% (95% CI 36% to 45%). With regard to clinical decision making, CTCA showed good performance: 91% of patients who were treated medically or by revascularisation were correctly identified. Prevalence of disease in small vessel segments was low: 16% showed significant CAD on ICA. Prevalence of significant disease was 70% in patients with an Agatston score >= 1000: the majority underwent revascularisation. Conclusions From a true patient perspective, without exclusion of smaller coronary artery segments, CTCA allows safe patient management.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Open Heart
Publication
2020
ISSN
2053-3624
DOI
10.1136/OPENHRT-2019-001222
Volume/pages
7 :1 (2020) , 8 p.
Article Reference
e001222
ISI
000570058700003
Pubmed ID
32385115
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.10.2020
Last edited 25.02.2025
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