Cademartiri Filippo, Schuijf Joanne D, Mollet Nico R, Malagutti Patrizia, Runza Giuseppe, Bax Jeroen J, de Feyter Pim J
Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2005 Nov;32(11):1337-47. doi: 10.1007/s00259-005-1856-2.
The introduction of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has allowed non-invasive coronary angiography. Although widely applied, extensive information on technical details of the technique is lacking. This survey offers detailed information on patient preparation, data acquisition, reconstruction and interpretation. In addition, a summary of the available studies using MSCT for non-invasive angiography is provided. Based on pooled analysis of direct comparisons between MSCT and invasive angiography, the weighted mean sensitivity and specificity of current 16-slice MSCT for the detection of coronary artery disease are 88% and 96%, respectively. At present, the technique is particularly well suited for reliable exclusion of coronary artery disease. It is important to emphasise that MSCT only provides anatomical images, visualising the presence of atherosclerosis; information on the haemodynamic significance of these lesions (i.e. ischaemia) cannot be derived.
