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.