Research article summary (published 21 Sep 2009):

[Diagnosis of coronary artery disease - part 4: Computed tomography and coronary angiography]

(Diagnostik der koronaren Herzkrankheit - Teil 4: Computertomographie und Koronarangiographie.)

Full Abstract

Invasive coronary angiography and computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography directly visualise coronary anatomy but do not provide information about the presence of inducible myocardial ischaemia. Due to its excellent negative predictive value CT coronary angiography is a suitable test to exclude significant coronary artery disease. However, given its high rate of false positive results particularly in the presence of significant coronary calcification CT coronary angiography only rarely is a real alternative to invasive coronary angiography in clinical practice. The coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is a surrogate for the extent of coronary atherosclerosis and a possible marker of biological age but does not provide any anatomical or pathophysiological information. In asymptomatic patients a CACS of zero is associated with a very low likelihood of a significant coronary stenosis and a good prognosis. However, this is not the case in symptomatic patients, and thus, CACS does not play a significant role in the diagnostic work-up in symptomatic patients in daily routine.

Author information

Author/s: Maeder, M T (MT); Zellweger, M J (MJ);

Affiliation: Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute/Heart Center, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australien. micha.maeder(-atsign-)bluewin.ch

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Praxis (Praxis (Bern 1994)), published in Switzerland. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 98 (issue 19) : pp 1083-90

Dates: Created 2009/09/23; Completed 2009/10/27;

PMID: 19774516, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/27/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Calcinosis - radiography Coronary Angiography Coronary Disease - radiography Coronary Stenosis - radiography Humans Myocardial Contraction - physiology

Myocardial Contraction - physiology Myocardial Ischemia - radiography Oxygen Consumption - physiology Prognosis Sensitivity and Specificity Tomography, X-Ray Computed

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