[Multislice computed tomography coronary angiography: prime time?].

Abstract

Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography is emerging as a non-invasive clinically reliable diagnostic tool to detect significant (luminal diameter > 50%) coronary stenosis. The diagnostic accuracy of MSCT is high, but at this point in time, MSCT coronary angiography should be regarded mainly as a research tool and in selected patients MSCT coronary angiography may be an alternative to diagnostic coronary angiography, in particular to exclude the presence of significant coronary disease. Problems that should be resolved are: severe coronary calcifications causing overestimation of severity of stenosis, arrhythmias precluding use of MSCT and the relatively high radiation exposure. Expected technical advances will improve the diagnostic accuracy of MSCT coronary angiography to become a viable alternative to catheter coronary angiography.