Image assessment with multislice CT coronary angiography

AIM: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two different protocols for image evaluation used in multislice computed tomography coronary angiography (MSCT-CA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing conventional coronary angiography (CA) were enrolled for MSCT-CA. All patients underwent 16-row MSCT (Sensation 16, Siemens, Germany) with the following parameters: detector rows 16, collimation 0.75 mm, gantry rotation time 375 ms. Two independent observers assessed the images for significant stenosis using a a protocol with standard projections and a three-dimensional protocol. The diagnostic accuracy for both methods was calculated using quantitative CA as a reference standard. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value obtained with the conventional projection protocol and with three-dimensional protocol were: 54% and 93%, 97% and 97%, 76% and 86%, 92% and 99%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional projections in the assessment of MSCT-CA provide insufficient diagnostic accuracy compared with three-dimensional processing.