The value of CT cardiac angiography and CT calcium score testing in a modern cardiology service in New Zealand: a report of a single centre eight-year experience from 5,237 outpatient procedures.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomographic (CT) cardiac angiography is of increasing value in several areas of patient management in cardiology. We assessed the ability of CT cardiac angiography to effectively 'rule out' severe coronary stenoses in patients presenting with 'atypical' symptoms and/or an equivocal stress test, which offers a new approach to the management of coronary artery disease. We also examined the use of the CT calcium score test in cardiovascular (CVS) risk assessment.

METHODS: From a large single centre (Mercy Hospital) in Auckland, using a prospectively acquired, comprehensive database, we audited the entire eight-year experience of 5,169 patients (7/8/06 to 31/1/14) who underwent 5,237 64-slice computed tomographic (CT) cardiac angiogram or CT calcium score tests (GE Lightspeed scanner).

RESULTS: From 5,169 patients there were 5,237 CT procedures. The mean patient age was 57 (SD 10) years; 42% patients were female. Of the 3,603 (69%) full CT cardiac angiogram scans, 3,509 (67%) included a calcium score test. One thousand four hundred and eighty-three (28%) of scans were a calcium score test only. Of the 3,603 (69%) full CT cardiac angiogram scans, it was possible to 'rule out' significant coronary atheroma (stenosis ≥50%) in 2,947 (82%) of these procedures. Of the 4,903 (94%) patients who had a CT calcium score test, in whom we could calculate the NZ Framingham-based CVS risk, it was possible to reassign 532 (22%) of these patients who were previously thought to be at 'low risk' to be at a higher CVS risk.

CONCLUSION: CT cardiac angiography has become established in the modern management of cardiology patients. It has particular value as a tool to 'rule out' severe coronary stenoses, and as a tool to give a more accurate assessment of CVS risk. It adds significant value to the care of many patients within an established cardiology practice.