64-Slice CT angiography – high sensitivity and negative predictive value: 64-Slice computed tomography (CT) angiography as diagnostic tool in coronary artery disease has been evaluated in a meta analysis by G Mowatt, J A Cook, G S Hillis, S Walker, C Fraser, X Jia and N Waugh [1]. Of the 40 studies identified, 28 had sufficient data for inclusion in the meta analysis. Data sources were electronic databases, conferences proceedings. Reference lists of included studies were checked for additional studies which were possibly missed. Data extraction from the included studies was done by two independent.<\/p>\n
The studies included were those comparing 64-Slice computed tomography angiography with standard coronary angiography. The pooled data offered a sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 89% taking 50% or more coronary stenosis as a cut off point. The median positive predictive value across studies was 93% (range 64\u2013100%) and negative predictive value 100% (range 86\u2013100%).<\/p>\n
The authors suggest that 64-Slice CT\u00a0angiography may have a role in the assessment of undiagnosed chest pain when simple non-invasive investigations are non-diagnostic and can rule out significant\u00a0coronary artery disease\u00a0in this context.<\/p>\n
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