RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Computed tomographic coronary angiography – is it ready as a screening tool for coronary artery disease?
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 465
OP 471
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.13-5-465
VO 13
IS 5
A1 Joanna Melgies
A1 Mark CK Hamilton
A1 Nathan E Manghat
YR 2013
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/13/5/465.abstract
AB Currently, there are no formal screening programmes for coronary artery disease (CAD). Computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) has been suggested as a non-invasive and reliable method of atherosclerotic plaque assessment, with the potential for use in screening programmes. In this article, we briefly present the current understanding of atherosclerotic plaque formation, explain key technological aspects of CTCA and critique this method in the light of World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for devising a screening programme. Current evolving and future insights are also considered. Overall, in our view, there is currently insufficient evidence to support the formal use of CTCA in a screening programme for CAD, although this viewpoint will undoubtedly evolve.