Diagnostic reliability of cardiac CT in a population of patients undergoing coronary angiography

Abstract

This article examines the diagnostic reliability of cardiac CT in patients who underwent coronary angiography after previously undergoing cardiac CT. To date, cardiac CT is considered a less invasive imaging method than coronary angiography, but, as demonstrated, it is no less reliable from a diagnostic perspective. Specifically, the study involved a population of 100 patients who had previously undergone cardiac CT, as recommended by a cardiology specialist and were subsequently subjected to coronary angiography after abnormalities were detected in the CT scan. The results obtained from both methods were compared by analyzing sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy. The data were processed using various statistical methods, which ensured the results' reliability. Despite some inherent limitations of cardiac CT, such as artifacts, clinical conditions of the patient, and the necessary spatial-temporal resolution, it was found that cardiac CT is considered reliable in diagnostic-therapeutic pathways and follow-up for patients with ischemic heart disease, suggesting it as a valid alternative in everyday clinical practice.