Authors' recommendations: Non-enhanced CT (NECT) scanning of the head can be performed in a matter of seconds to evaluate hemorrhage and other insults to the brain. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and its source images (CTA-SI) can provide a qualitative cerebral blood volume (CBV) map that is more able, compared with non-enhanced CT, to distinguish between brain tissue that is irreversibly infarcted and that which is potentially salvageable; thereby allowing selection of patients who are likely to benefit from therapy. Patients who have immediate access to services that offer diagnostic testing such as imaging (CT/CTA, or MRI/MRA if urgently available)6 achieve better outcomes owing to timely initiation of appropriate prophylactic medication which results in fewer recurrent strokes and fewer adverse events compared to patients who had a lengthier delay in receiving this care. Another CT modality is CT perfusion (CTP) imaging which can be performed during a CTA examination, but with a separate contrast bolus. A multimodal evaluation that includes CTA and CTP may permit assessment of the site of vascular occlusion, infarct core, salvageable brain tissue and degree of collateral circulation.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/htis/feb-2014/RC0506%20CT%20vs%20%20CTA%20Final.pdf

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)