Coronary CTA Better than Stress Test

Coronary CTA Better than Stress Test

A study in the Feb 14 2012 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows coronary CTA is more accurate than stress testing in identifying individuals with significant coronary artery obstruction.
Stress test results did not independently predict obstructive coronary artery disease. In fact, Framingham Risk Score alone provided the same predictive ability as adding stress test results in this study group.
Among the 621 patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography, there was no significant relationship with stress test results, but CCTA results were strongly predictive of obstructive coronary artery disease (odds ratio, 9; p < 0.001). “Moreover, normal findings on CCTA would suggest that the patient would not need any further cardiac testing for five to seven years, the 'warranty period' of this test," stated the author of the article. SJRA performs coronary CTA on our dual source scanner at our Voorhees Office, one of the world’s most advanced scanners specifically designed for this examination. Candidates for the exam are patients with abnormal or equivocal stress tests. Patients should also consider coronary CTA for evaluation of chest pain symptoms if they are low to moderate risk profile. Patients may want to discuss the need for invasive testing such as coronary angiography (heart cath) after an abnormal stress test, or to request a coronary CTA in lieu of a stress test with their physician for evaluation of chest pain.