Coronary computed tomography angiography: a new wave of cardiac imaging

Abstract

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is becoming a popular non‐invasive imaging modality for coronary arteries. It has high sensitivity and specificity in the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). Due to its high negative predictive value, the main clinical role of coronary CTA is in the exclusion of significant CAD in the low to intermediate pretest probability patients. In the emergency department, coronary CTA helps to fast‐track the triage of acute chest pain patients. One of the major coronary CTA's limitations is its false positive findings in the presence of heavily calcified lesions. With the advance of CT technology, the radiation dose of coronary CTA has been reduced significantly. At present, coronary CTA is still not indicated for screening asymptomatic patients.

The Relationship Between Gamma‐Glutamyl Transferase Levels and Coronary Plaque Burdens and Plaque Structures in Young Adults With Coronary Atherosclerosis

“…Noninvasive imaging modalities, such as carotid intima‐media thickness measurements and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score calculations, have gained attention in the diagnosis of subclinical atherosclerosis and risk predictions for future adverse cardiovascular events . Coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (CCTA), which is a noninvasive imaging technique with a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CAD, may provide valuable information about an individual's plaque burden and plaque structure …”

Fluctuant tonus of the coronary arteries possibly documented by repeated multidetector row computed tomography

“…In previous studies, there was a relatively high rate of "false positive" detection of organic stenosis with MDCT examination when compared to that observed by coronary angiography. 4,[20][21][22][23] The reasons were thought to be due to the high sensitivity of the MDCT examination to calcification, atherosclerotic changes, movement artifacts, or other types of artifacts. However, the current study shows that organic stenosis examined with MDCT would be overestimated if it was not taken In the study patients, the attending physicians of the individual patients carefully selected the drugs and changed them according to the patients' condition, such as based on the patients' clinical symptoms, blood pressure, heart rate, side effects, and other findings.…”