Non-invasive half millimetre 32 detector row computed tomography angiography accurately excludes significant stenoses in patients with advanced coronary artery disease and high calcium scores

Objective: To show an overall diagnostic accuracy >90% for detection of >50% stenoses by coronary half millimetre 32 detector row computed tomography angiography (32 x 0.5-MDCTA) in patients with advanced coronary artery disease (CAD) and a high likelihood of raised calcium scores. Methods: ECG gated 32 x 0.5-MDCTA (32 x 0.5 mm cross sections, 0.35 x 0.35 x 0.35 mm(3) isotropic voxels, 400 ms rotation) was performed after injection of iodixanol (120 ml, 320 mg/ml) in 30 consecutive patients (25 men, mean (SD) age 59 (13) years, body mass index 26.2 (4.9) kg/m(2)). Native arteries, including >= 1.5 mm branches, and bypass grafts were screened for >= 50% stenoses. Stents were excluded. Conventional coronary angiography (performed 18 (12) days before 32 x 0.5-MDCTA) was analysed by quantitative coronary angiography. Results: Median Agatston calcium score was 510 (range 3-5066). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for detection of >= 50% stenoses in native arteries were 76% (29 of 38), 94% (190 of 202), 71% (29 of 41), and 96% (190 of 199), respectively. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 91% (219 of 240). Due to the following artefacts 20% (69 of 352) of the vessels were excluded: motion, noise, and low contrast enhancement isolated or in combination (45 of 69 (65%)); image distortion by implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker leads (18 of 69 (26%)); and blooming secondary to severe calcification (6 of 69 (9%)). Conclusions: Coronary 32 x 0.5-MDCTA accurately excludes >= 50% stenoses in patients with advanced CAD and high calcium scores with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 91%.