Authors' recommendations: The included studies suggest that multi-slice CT angiography is currently the best method for non-invasive imaging of the coronary arteries, with 64-slice scanners outperforming 16-slice scanners. All included systematic reviews and meta-analyses found that multi-slice CT angiography has relatively high sensitivity and specificity to identify significant stenosis in selected intermediate to high CAD prevalence populations in comparison with conventional CA. The negative results of multi-slice CT angiography reliably excluded significant coronary disease. However, multi-slice CT is not recommended as a substitute for conventional CA for the diagnosis of CAD, since positive results still require confirmation. The patient management and prognosis of CAD depend on the functional impact of the coronary stenosis, which cannot be assessed by multi-slice CT angiography alone. Although the included systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that multi-slice CT angiography is useful in diagnosis of CAD, there is currently no evidence regarding the impact of multi-slice CT angiography in patients’ quality of life, heart attack prevention or life saving. Questions remain over patient selection, patient outcomes, and radiation dose.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/htis/L0070%20MSCT%20Angiography%20for%20Coronary%20Artery%20Disease%20final.pdf

Year Published: 2009

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)