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Rationale and Objectives: Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has recently been established as a first-line test in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Due to the increased use of CCTA, strategies to reduce radiation and contrast medium (CM) exposure are of high importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of automated tube voltage selection (ATVS)-adapted CM injection protocol for CCTA compared to a clinically established triphasic injection protocol in terms of image quality, radiation exposure, and CM administration MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients undergoing clinically indicated CCTA were prospectively enrolled from July 2021 to July 2023. Patients underwent CCTA using a modified triphasic CM injection protocol tailored to the tube voltage by the ATVS algorithm, in a range of 70 to 130 kV with a 10 kV interval. The injection protocol consisted of two phases of mixed CM and saline boluses with different proportions to assure a voltage-specific iodine delivery rate, followed by a third phase of saline flush. This cohort was compared to a control group identified retrospectively and scanned on the same CT system but with a standard triphasic CM protocol. Radiation and contrast dose, subjective and objective image quality (contrast-to-noise-ratio [CNR] and signal-to-noise-ratio [SNR]) were compared between the two groups., Results: The final population consisted of 120 prospective patients matched with 120 retrospective controls, with 20 patients in each kV group. The 120 kV group was excluded from the statistical analysis due to insufficient sample size. A significant CM reduction was achieved in the prospective group overall (46.0 [IQR 37.0-52.0] vs. 51.3 [IQR 40.1-73.0] mL, p < 0.001) and at all kV levels too (all pairwise p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in radiation dose (6.13 ± 4.88 vs. 5.97 ± 5.51 mSv, p = 0.81), subjective image quality (median score of 4 [3-5] vs. 4 [3-5], p = 0.40), CNR, and SNR in the aorta and the left anterior descending coronary artery (all p > 0.05)., Conclusion: ATVS-adapted CM injection protocol allows for diagnostic quality CCTA with reduced CM volume while maintaining similar radiation exposure, subjective and objective image quality., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest C.G.: None; M.V-N.: None; U.J.S.: receives institutional research support and/or personal fees by Bayer, Bracco, Elucid BioImaging, Guerbet, HeartFlow, Inc., Keya Medical, and Siemens; J.S.: None; E.Z.: None; D.P.: None; G.T.: None; V.G.: None; P.S.: is an employee of Bayer LLC; T.E.: receives travel support and speaker fee from Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc, and institutional research support by Siemens Healthineers; A.V-S.: receives institutional research support and/or personal subscriptions from Siemens and Elucid Bioimaging., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: To quantitatively investigate the effect of myocardial bridge (MB) in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) on the fractional flow reserve (FFR)., Materials and Methods: Three-hundred patients with LAD MB who had undergone coronary artery CT angiography (CCTA) were retrospectively enroled, and 104 normal patients were enroled as the control. The CCTA-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) was measured at the LAD 10 mm proximal (FFR1) and 20-40 mm distal (FFR3) to the MB and at the MB location (FFR2)., Results: FFR2 and FFR3 of the MB (with BM only) and MBLA (with both MB and atherosclerosis) groups were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than those of the control. The FFR3 distal to the MB was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than that of the control. The FFRCT of the whole LAD in the MBLA group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the MB and control group (p < 0.05). MB length (OR 1.061) and MB muscle index (odds ratio or OR 1.007) were two risk factors for abnormal FFRCT, and MB length was a significant independent risk factor for abnormal FFRCT (OR = 1.077). LAD stenosis degree was a risk factor for abnormal FFRCT values (OR 3.301, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.441-7.562, p = 0.005) and was also a significant independent risk factor (OR = 3.369, 95% CI: 1.392-8.152; p = 0.007) for abnormal FFRCT., Conclusion: MB significantly affects the FFRCT of distal coronary artery. For patients with MB without atherosclerosis, the MB length is a risk factor significantly affecting FFRCT, and for patients with MB accompanied by atherosclerosis, LAD stenotic severity is an independent risk factor for FFRCT., (© 2024 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine.)

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is considered the standard non-invasive tool to rule-out obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Moreover, several imaging biomarkers have been developed on cardiac-CT imaging to assess global CAD severity and atherosclerotic burden, including coronary calcium scoring, the segment involvement score, segment stenosis score and the Leaman-score. Myocardial perfusion imaging enables the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia and microvascular damage, and the CT-based fractional flow reserve quantification allows to evaluate non-invasively hemodynamic impact of the coronary stenosis. The texture and density of the epicardial and perivascular adipose tissue, the hypodense plaque burden, the radiomic phenotyping of coronary plaques or the fat radiomic profile are novel CT imaging features emerging as biomarkers of inflammation and plaque instability, which may implement the risk stratification strategies. The ability to perform myocardial tissue characterization by extracellular volume fraction and radiomic features appears promising in predicting arrhythmogenic risk and cardiovascular events. New imaging biomarkers are expanding the potential of cardiac CT for phenotyping the individual profile of CAD involvement and opening new frontiers for the practice of more personalized medicine., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) assessed by cardiac computed tomography (CT), to predict cardiovascular death in consecutive patients referred for cardiac CT with coronary analysis., Materials and Methods: Between 2010 and 2020, we conducted a single-centre study with all consecutive patients without known cardiovascular disease referred for cardiac CT. LACI was defined as the ratio of left atrial to left ventricle end-diastolic volumes. The primary outcome was cardiovascular death. Cox regressions were used to evaluate the association between LACI and primary outcome after adjustment for traditional risk factors and cardiac CT angiography findings., Results: In 1,444 patients (mean age, 70 ± 12 [standard deviation] years; 43% men), 67 (4.3%) patients experienced cardiovascular death after a median follow-up of 6.8 (Q1, Q3: 5.9, 9.1) years. After adjustment, LACI was positively associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.07 [95% CI: 1.05-1.09] per 1% increment; P < 0.001), and all-cause death (adjusted HR, 1.05 [95% CI: 1.03-1.07] per 1% increment; P <0.001). After adjustment, a LACI ≥ 25% showed the best improvement in model discrimination and reclassification for predicting cardiovascular death above traditional risk factors and cardiac CT findings (C-statistic improvement: 0.27; Nnet reclassification improvement = 0.826; Integrative discrimination index =0.209, all P < 0.001; likelihood-ratio-test, P < 0.001)., Conclusion: LACI measured by cardiac CT is independently associated with cardiovascular death and all-cause death in patients without known cardiovascular disease referred for cardiac CT, with an incremental prognostic value over traditional risk factors and cardiac CT findings., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Solenn Toupin is employee of Siemens Healthcare. The other authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is a proven predictor for future adverse cardiovascular events (CVE) in asymptomatic individuals. Data is emerging regarding the usefulness of non-calcified plaque (NCP) assessment on cardiac computed tomography (CCT) angiography in symptomatic patients with a zero CAC score for further risk assessment., Methods: A retrospective review from January 2019 to January 2022 of 696 symptomatic patients with no known CAD and a zero CAC score identified 181 patients with NCP and 515 patients without NCP by a visual assessment on CCT angiography. The primary endpoint was to identify predictors for NCP presence and adverse CVEs (death, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular accident) within two years., Results: Based on logistic regression, age (OR 1.039, 95% CI [1.020-1.058], p ​< ​0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.192, 95% CI [1.307-3.676], p ​< ​0.003), tobacco use (OR 1.748, 95% CI [1.157-2.643], p ​< ​0.008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (OR 1.009, 95% CI [1.003-1.015], p ​< ​0.002), and hypertension (OR 1.613, 95% CI [1.024-2.540], p ​< ​0.039) were found to be predictors of NCP presence. NCP patients had a higher pretest probability for CAD using the Morise risk score (p ​< ​0.001∗), with NCP detection increasing as pretest probability increased from low to high (OR 55.79, 95% CI [24.26-128.26], p ​< ​0.001∗). 457 patients (66%) reached a full two-year period after CCT angiography completion, with NCP patients noted to have shorter follow-up times and higher rates of elective coronary angiography, intervention, and CVEs. The presence of NCP (aOR 2.178, 95% CI [1.025-4.627], p ​< ​0.043) was identified as an independent predictor for future adverse CVEs when adjusted for diabetes mellitus, age, and hypertension., Conclusion: NCP was identified at high rates (26%) in our symptomatic Appalachian population with no known CAD and a zero CAC score. NCP was identified as an independent predictor of future adverse CVEs within two years., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors deny any conflicts of interest or financial disclosures in creating this manuscript, except for one author (MB) receiving separate private grant funding from General Electric., (Copyright © 2023 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest K.N. acknowledges support from the NIH (NIH R01- HL141712; NIH R01 - HL146754), and reports unrestricted institutional research support from Siemens Healthineers, Bayer, HeartFlow Inc, Novartis unrelated to this work, consulting for Siemens Medical Solutions USA, and equity in Lumen Therapeutics. AC. reports grant support from GW Heart and Vascular Institute, equity in Cleerly, Inc. and consulting for Siemens. M.M. reports no disclosures.

Although the management of ischaemic heart disease has markedly improved over the last decades, left ventricular thrombus remains a serious finding in patients with myocardial infarction. Routine diagnostic detection of left ventricular thrombus relies mainly on echocardiography; however, cardiac magnetic resonance has emerged as a method with higher diagnostic accuracy, while cardiac computed tomography angiography represents a valuable alternative modality. To reduce the left ventricular thrombus-associated morbidity and mortality, optimal selection of anticoagulation is warranted after balancing the risk of bleeding. In this review, we will discuss contemporary diagnostic modalities to detect left ventricular thrombus in ischaemic heart disease and summarize evidence on risk stratification and therapy. In addition, we propose a novel diagnosis, follow-up imaging, and treatment algorithm. Further, we identify knowledge gaps at different levels to address emerging research questions and to refine the design of future studies aiming to improve the management of patients in this clinical setting., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Improvement of non-invasive identification of high-risk plaque may increase the preventive options of acute coronary syndrome. To describe the characteristics of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) in a post mortem model in comparison to characteristics of culprit lesions in patients with non-ST-elevation-myocardial-infarction (NSTEMI) using the dual energy computed tomography (DECT). Three post mortem hearts were prepared with iodine-contrast, inserted in a Kyoto phantom and scanned by DECT. Six TCFA were identified using histopathological analysis (cap thickness < 65 μm and necrotic core > 10% of the plaque area). In the NSTEMI group, 29 patients were scheduled to DECT prior to coronary angiography and invasive treatment. Culprit lesions were identified blinded for the patient history by two independent invasive cardiologists using the coronary angiography. The DECT analysis of TCFA and culprit lesions was performed retrospectively with determination of effective atomic number (Effective-Z), Hounsfield Unit (HU), plaque type (non-calcified, predominantly non-calcified, predominantly calcified or calcified), spotty calcification,, plaque length, plaque volume and plaque burden and the remodeling index. The Effective-Z, HU and plaqueburden were significantly different between TCFA and culprit lesions (P < 0.05).The TCFA plaques were more calcified in comparison to culprit lesions (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the other plaque characteristics was observed. The use of DECT demonstrated different Effective-Z values and different characteristics of post mortem TCFA in comparison to in vivo culprit lesions. This finding may highlight, that not all TCFA should be considered as vulnerable., (© 2021. Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: An ancillary advantage of bioresorbable scaffolds is the possibility of non-invasive imaging assessment of the treated coronary segment. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) studies of resorbable magnesium scaffolds (RMS) are scarce., Methods: In this collaborative, international study, nine patients who had an RMS implanted underwent CCTA as part of follow-up assessment. Core-lab blinded quantitative and qualitative assessment was performed by an independent CCTA investigator., Results: Eight studies were amenable for quantitative analysis, and the blinded CT investigator successfully located and evaluated patency of RMS in all cases. The CCTA follow-up in-scaffold percentage diameter stenosis and area stenosis was 22.2% (12.4-30) and 39.1% (0.23-0.50), in keeping with mild in-scaffold late loss and underlying plaque growth. Moreover, a detailed coronary plaque characterization at treated segments was feasible (fibrous plaque in 69.9%, fibrofatty in 17.13%, necrotic in 4.78% and calcium in 5.72%). As in 6 out of 8 cases, the presentation was an acute coronary syndrome, these preliminary results could suggest plaque stabilization and a good coronary vessel healing with RMS., Conclusion: Non-invasive, follow-up assessment of RMS with CCTA is feasible. Further CCTA studies for either clinical or research purposes with the present and upcoming generation of resorbable magnesium scaffolds are warranted., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare regarding this manuscript., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The incidence of acute coronary events is increased among people living with HIV (PLWH), but there is no risk estimation score, nor a surrogate biomarker able to predict subclinical coronary artery disease (sCAD). We assessed the performance of: (i) Framingham risk score (FRMs), (ii) peripheral (carotid and femoral) artery atheromatosis, and (iii) coronary artery calcium (CACs) score, to detect the presence of sCAD, in PLWH. In a cohort of PLWH free of cardiovascular disease (CVD), we measured sCAD and CACs by computed tomography, calculated FRMs, and assessed carotid/femoral plaques by ultrasound. In 56 participants (age: 49 ± 10 years, men: 88%, FRMs: 7.2 ± 6.9; mean number of carotid/femoral plaques: 1.4 ± 1.5; CACs >0 present in 59%, median CACs 0.9 [IQR 0-22]): (i) minimal sCAD (stenosis 1%-24%; present in 30%) and mild sCAD (25%-49%, 25%) were effectively detected by FRMs, number of plaques, and CACs [area under the curve (AUC) of CACs was better than that of both FRM and plaques, p  < .05]; (ii) moderate sCAD (stenosis 50%-69%; present in 8.9%) was detected by number of plaques and CACs, but similar AUC (0.969 vs. 0.867, respectively, p  = NS); and (iii) severe sCAD (70%-99%, present in only 3 [5.4%]) was detected only by CACs. A high prevalence of sCAD in asymptomatic PLWH free of CVD was detected; CACs is a highly efficient biomarker to detect all grades of sCAD, however, the number of carotid/femoral plaques combined is also a very promising-lower cost and radiation free-surrogate biomarker. Future, larger studies are needed to verify these results.

Aims: The aim of the study was to identify the characteristics of the culprit lesions compared to non-culprit lesions in patients with non-ST-elevation-myocardial infarction using dual energy computed tomography (DECT)., Methods and Results: In 29 patients, we identified 29 culprit lesions and 227 non-culprit lesions. Quantitative values such as the effective atomic number (effective-Z) and Hounsfield Units (HU) values were measured. Furthermore, all the lesions were characterised using characteristics such as composition (non-calcified, predominantly-non-calcified, predominantly-calcified, or calcified), presence of spotty calcification, remodelling index, and napkin ring sign. The mean effective-Z and HU values were significantly lower in culprit lesions than in non-culprit lesions (8.99 ± 1.21 vs 9.79 ± 1.52; p = 0.0066 and 87.41 ± 84.97 vs. 154.45 ± 176.13; p = 0.0447). The culprit lesions had a higher frequency of non-calcified plaques and predominantly non-calcified plaques, and were with a greater presence of napkin ring signs in comparison with non-culprit lesions. There were no differences in the presence of spotty calcification or remodelling index. By adding effective-Z to plaque characteristics such as non-calcified, positive remodelling, spotty calcification, and napkin rings we observed a significant increased sensitivity of detecting culprit lesions (65.5% vs.44.8%), but no significant changes in area under curve (AUC)., Conclusion: The use of DECT adds new information of the plaque composition expressed by the effective-Z, which differs significantly in culprit lesions in comparison with non-culprit lesions. The use of the effective-Z improves the diagnostic sensitivity in detection of culprit lesions.

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has evolved into a versatile imaging modality that can depict atherosclerosis burden, determine functional significance of a stenotic lesion, and guide the management and treatment of stable coronary artery disease.1 With newer-generation scanners, diagnostic CCTA can be obtained in the majority of patients with a very acceptable radiation dose. We discuss the ability of CCTA to provide comprehensive assessment of a patient with suspected CAD, including functional techniques of stress-rest myocardial perfusion assessment using a vasodilator and a purely post-processing approach that assesses fractional flow reserve derived by CCTA. In addition, recent data validated the role of CCTA in managing stable patients with chest pain and suspected CAD, serving as a gatekeeper for invasive coronary angiogram as well as optimizing the preprocedural planning of percutaneous coronary revascularization and coronary artery bypass surgery., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Dr. Mahmarian is a consultant and on the speakers bureau for Astellas Pharma US., (© 2020 Houston Methodist Hospital Houston, Texas.)

Purpose of Review: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has a complex, bidirectional relationship with the vascular wall. In disease states, PVAT secretes pro-inflammatory adipocytokines which may contribute to atherosclerosis. Recent evidence demonstrates that pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) may also function as a sensor of coronary inflammation. This review details PVAT biology and its clinical translation to current imaging phenotyping., Recent Findings: PCAT attenuation derived from routine coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography is a novel noninvasive imaging biomarker of coronary inflammation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines released from the arterial wall diffuse directly into the surrounding PCAT and inhibit adipocyte lipid accumulation in a paracrine manner. This can be detected as an increased PCAT CT attenuation, a metric which associates with high-risk plaque features and independently predicts cardiac mortality. There is also evidence that PCAT attenuation relates to coronary plaque progression and is modified by systemic anti-inflammatory therapies. Due to its proximity to the coronary arteries, PCAT has emerged as an important fat depot in cardiovascular research. PCAT CT attenuation has the potential to improve cardiovascular risk stratification, and future clinical studies should examine its role in guiding targeted medical therapy.

Despite several strategies have been developed by different vendors to improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy of coronary CT angiography performed at high heart rate (HR) and HR variability, as in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), some concerns and small clinical experience characterize these subsets of challenging patients. However, patients with AF have been reported to have higher risk of cardiovascular events and noninvasive evaluation of suspected coronary artery disease in this setting may be of extreme clinical interest. The goal of this review is to provide to the reader an overview on the use of cardiac CT in patients with AF and high HR and to outline the technological improvements recently introduced in the clinical field that may enable to definitively overcome the limitations of cardiac CT in this challenging scenario., (Copyright © 2019 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) allows assessment of morphological features of coronary atherosclerosis. We aimed to test the hypothesis that clinical patient presentation is associated with distinct morphological features of coronary atherosclerosis., Methods and Results: A total of 1652 participants, representing a spectrum of clinical risk profiles [787 asymptomatic individuals from the general population, 468 patients with acute chest pain without acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and 397 patients with acute chest pain and ACS], underwent multidetector computed tomography. Of these, 274 asymptomatic individuals, 254 patients with acute chest pain without ACS, and 327 patients with acute chest pain and ACS underwent QCT to assess coronary plaque volumes and proportions of dense calcium (DC), fibrous, fibro fatty (FF), and necrotic core (NC) tissue. Furthermore, the presence of vulnerable plaques, defined by plaque volume and tissue composition, was examined. Coronary plaque volume increased significantly with worsening clinical risk profile [geometric mean (95% confidence interval): 148 (129-166) mm3, 257 (224-295) mm3, and 407 (363-457) mm3, respectively, P < 0.001]. Plaque composition differed significantly across cohorts, P < 0.0001. The proportion of DC decreased, whereas FF and NC increased with worsening clinical risk profile (mean proportions DC: 33%, 23%, 23%; FF: 50%, 61%, 57%; and NC: 17%, 17%, 20%, respectively). Significant differences in plaque composition persisted after multivariable adjustment for age, gender, body surface area, hypertension, statin use at baseline, diabetes, smoking, family history of ischaemic heart disease, total plaque volume, and tube voltage, P < 0.01., Conclusion: Coronary atherosclerotic plaque volume and composition are strongly associated to clinical presentation., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2018. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CTP) represents one of the newly developed CT-based techniques but its cost-effectiveness in the clinical pathway is undefined. The aim of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of combined evaluation of coronary anatomy and myocardial perfusion in intermediate to high-risk patients for suspected CAD or with known disease in terms of clinical decision-making, resource utilization and outcomes in a broad variety of geographic areas and patient subgroups., Methods: CTP-PRO study is a cooperative, international, multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomized controlled study evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a CCTA+CTP strategy (Group A) versus usual care (Group B) in intermediate-high risk patients with suspected or known CAD who undergo clinically indicated diagnostic evaluation. A total sample size of 2000 subjects will be enrolled and followed up for 24 months. The primary endpoint is the reclassification rate of CCTA in group A due to the addition of CTP. The secondary endpoint will be the comparison between groups in terms of non-invasive and invasive downstream testing, prevalence of obstructive CAD at ICA, revascularization, cumulative ED and overall cost during the follow-up at 1- and 2-years. The tertiary endpoint will be the comparison between each group in terms of MACE and cost-effectiveness at 1- and 2-years., Conclusions: The study will provide information to patients, health care providers and other stakeholders about which strategy could be more effective in the diagnosis of suspected CAD in intermediate to high-risk patients or in the symptomatic patients with known CAD and previous history of revascularization., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the present case, multimodality images facilitated our understanding of the mechanism behind the patient's restenosis; a technique using optical coherence tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction allowed the clear identification and extent of stent fracture as well as its subsequent optimal treatment.

Rationale and Objectives: A new postprocessing algorithm named adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR)-V has been recently introduced. The aim of this article was to analyze the impact of ASIR-V algorithm on signal, noise, and image quality of coronary computed tomography angiography., Materials and Methods: Fifty consecutive patients underwent clinically indicated coronary computed tomography angiography (Revolution CT; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI). Images were reconstructed using filtered back projection and ASIR-V 0%, and a combination of filtered back projection and ASIR-V 20%-80% and ASIR-V 100%. Image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated for left main coronary artery (LM), left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA) and were compared between the different postprocessing algorithms used. Similarly a four-point Likert image quality score of coronary segments was graded for each dataset and compared. A cutoff value of P < .05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Compared to ASIR-V 0%, ASIR-V 100% demonstrated a significant reduction of image noise in all coronaries (P < .01). Compared to ASIR-V 0%, SNR was significantly higher with ASIR-V 60% in LM (P < .01), LAD (P < .05), LCX (P < .05), and RCA (P < .01). Compared to ASIR-V 0%, CNR for ASIR-V ≥60% was significantly improved in LM (P < .01), LAD (P < .05), and RCA (P < .01), whereas LCX demonstrated a significant improvement with ASIR-V ≥80%. ASIR-V 60% had significantly better Likert image quality scores compared to ASIR-V 0% in segment-, vessel-, and patient-based analyses (P < .01)., Conclusions: Reconstruction with ASIR-V 60% provides the optimal balance between image noise, SNR, CNR, and image quality., (Copyright © 2018 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aim of the study was to evaluate image quality, radiation exposure and diagnostic accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) performed with a novel cardiac CT scanner in patients with very high heart rate (HR)., Methods: We prospectively enrolled 202 patients (111 men, mean age 66±8years) with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent CCTA with a whole-organ volumetric CT scanner. The HR during the scan was ≥80bpm in 100 patients (Group 1), while it was ≤65bpm in the remaining 102 patients (Group 2). In all patients, image quality score and coronary interpretability were evaluated and effective dose (ED) was recorded. In 86 of the 202 enrolled patients (40 patients in Group 1, 46 patients in Group 2) who were referred for a clinically indicated invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within 6months, diagnostic accuracy of CCTA vs. ICA was evaluated., Results: Mean image quality and coronary interpretability were very high in both Groups (Likert=3.35 vs. 3.39 and 97.3% [1542/1584 segments] and 98% [1569/1600 segments] in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively). Mean ED was lower in Group 2 (1.1±0.5mSv) compared to Group 1 (2.9±1.6mSv). In Group 1, sensitivity and specificity of CCTA for detection of >50% stenosis vs. ICA were 95.2% and 98.9% in a segment-based analysis and 100% and 81.8% in a patient-based analysis, respectively., Conclusions: The whole organ high-definition CT scanner allows evaluating coronary arteries in patients with high HR with excellent image quality, coronary interpretability and low radiation exposure., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: To review methodological and logistical aspects of CT myocardial perfusion, current clinical evidence and possible future directions, with specific focus on use in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)., Recent Findings: CT myocardial perfusion imaging may be performed as an add-on to standard coronary CT angiography (CCTA), to identify regions of myocardial hypoperfusion, at rest and during adenosine stress. The principle of measurement is well-validated in animal experimental models, and CT myocardial perfusion imaging has a high degree of concordance with already clinically available perfusion imaging methods. Combining CCTA and CT myocardial perfusion imaging increases the diagnostic accuracy to identify patients with CAD associated with ischemia. In patients suspected of CAD, CCTA frequently detects coronary atherosclerotic lesions, in which revascularization could be clinically beneficial. CT myocardial perfusion imaging may be helpful to identify coronary lesions associated with myocardial ischemia, and thus potentially suitable for coronary intervention.

To evaluate the interobserver agreement of visual coronary plaque characteristics by 320-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in three populations with low, intermediate and high CAD prevalence and to identify determinants for the reproducible assessment of these plaque characteristics. 150 patients, 50 asymptomatic subjects from the general population (low CAD prevalence), 50 symptomatic non-acute coronary syndrome (non-ACS) patients (intermediate CAD prevalence), and 50 ACS patients (high CAD prevalence), matched according to age and gender, were retrospectively enrolled. All coronary segments were evaluated for overall image quality, evaluability, presence of CAD, coronary stenosis, plaque composition, plaque focality, and spotty calcification by four readers. Interobserver agreement was assessed using Fleiss' Kappa (κ) and intra-class correlation (ICC). Widely used clinical parameters (overall scan quality, presence of CAD, and determination of coronary stenosis) showed good agreement among the four readers, (ICC = 0.66, κ = 0.73, ICC = 0.74, respectively). When accounting for heart rate, body mass index, plaque location, and coronary stenosis above/below 50 %, interobserver agreement for plaque composition, presence of CAD, and coronary stenosis improved to either good or excellent, (κ = 0.61, κ = 0.81, ICC = 0.78, respectively). Spotty calcification was the least reproducible parameter investigated (κ = 0.33). Across subpopulations, reproducibility of coronary plaque characteristics generally decreased with increasing CAD prevalence except for plaque composition, (limits of agreement: ±2.03, ±1.96, ±1.79 for low, intermediate and high CAD prevalence, respectively). 320-slice MDCT can be used to assess coronary plaque characteristics, except for spotty calcification. Reproducibility estimates are influenced by heart rate, body size, plaque location, and degree of luminal stenosis.

Background: Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) are immuno-inflammatory diseases that can result in lifelong systemic inflammation. Unlike AD, psoriasis has been associated with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, severity, and subtype of coronary artery disease (CAD) in psoriasis and AD patients without known cardiovascular disease., Methods: Consecutively enrolled patients (psoriasis n = 58, AD n = 31) and retrospectively matched controls (n = 33) were examined using cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and assessed using an 18-segment model of the coronary tree., Results: The prevalence of a coronary artery calcium score >0 was 29.8% in psoriasis and 45.2% in AD, vs 15.2% in controls (P = .09 and P = .01, respectively). More patients with psoriasis had a coronary artery calcium score ≥100 (psoriasis 19.3%, controls 2.9%; P = .02). CCTA showed the presence of plaques in 38.2% of psoriasis patients and 48.1% of AD patients, vs 21.2% of controls (P = .08 and P = .03, respectively). Psoriasis was associated with an increased prevalence of significant coronary stenosis (stenosis >70%) (psoriasis 14.6%, controls 0%; P = .02) and 3-vessel coronary affection or left main artery disease (psoriasis 20%, controls 3%; P = .02), whereas AD was associated with mild (AD 40.7%, controls 9.1%; P = .005) single-vessel affection., Conclusions: These findings suggest that psoriasis and AD are associated with an increased prevalence of CAD. Patients with psoriasis have an increased prevalence of severe CAD., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiac computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) has emerged as a non-invasive method of diagnosing coronary artery disease. The extent of utilization and uptake of this technology since initiation of its funding by the government of Ontario is unknown., Objectives: The aim of our study was to examine coronary CTA utilization and the rates of elective invasive coronary angiography and revascularization before and after funding initiation., Methods: We studied all coronary CTAs performed on adults in Ontario after initiation of funding. We also used an interrupted time series analysis to compare the average monthly rates of invasive angiography and revascularization before and after initiation of funding., Results: There was an initial steep increase in age-and sex-standardized rates of coronary CTA from 5.0 to 11.4/100,000 over the first two quarters after funding initiation. Afterwards, there was a gradual increase in utilization from 11.4 to 17.1/100,000 over two subsequent calendar years. There was a significant reduction in both the mean monthly outpatient invasive coronary angiography (from 20.7 to 19.9 per 100,000 (p = 0.0004)) and revascularization (from 4.9 to 4.4 per 100,000 (p < 0.0001)) rates in the three years following introduction of the coronary CTA billing code as compared to the three prior to its introduction., Conclusions: Since the introduction of coronary CTA funding in Ontario, there has been a steady and controlled increase in its utilization. The increasing use of coronary CTA was associated with a reduction in both the rates of invasive angiography and revascularization., (Copyright © 2015 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In the modern management of coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal diagnostic tool, offering detailed visualization of coronary artery lumens and atherosclerotic plaques. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman, with no prior cardiovascular history but with several risk factors, in whom CCTA identified a highly inflamed atherosclerotic plaque, which led immediately to an acute myocardial infarction. Significantly, this case spotlights the vital role of perivascular inflammation mapping in CCTA, crucial for identifying high-risk plaques. The case emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive, multifaceted diagnostic approach in the evaluation and management of CAD, incorporating advanced techniques like perivascular inflammation mapping for a more accurate and predictive assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading global cause of mortality, accounting for approximately 30% of all deaths. It is primarily characterized by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Early detection of atherosclerotic plaques is crucial to prevent major adverse cardiac events. Notably, recent studies have shown that 15% of myocardial infarctions occur in patients with non-obstructive CAD, underscoring the importance of comprehensive plaque assessment beyond merely identifying obstructive lesions. Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a cost-effective and efficient technique for excluding obstructive CAD, particularly in patients with a low-to-intermediate clinical likelihood of the disease. Recent advancements in CCTA technology, such as improved resolution and reduced scan times, have mitigated many technical challenges, allowing for precise quantification and characterization of both calcified and non-calcified atherosclerotic plaques. This review focuses on two critical physiological aspects of atherosclerotic plaques: the burden of calcifications, assessed via the coronary artery calcium score (CACs), and perivascular fat attenuation index (pFAI), an emerging marker of vascular inflammation. The CACs, obtained through non-contrast CT scans, quantifies calcified plaque burden and is widely used to stratify cardiovascular risk, particularly in asymptomatic patients. Despite its prognostic value, the CACs does not provide information on non-calcified plaques or inflammatory status. In contrast, the pFAI, derived from CCTA, serves as an indirect marker of coronary inflammation and has shown potential in predicting adverse cardiac events. Combining both CACs and pFAI assessment could offer a comprehensive risk stratification approach, integrating the established calcification burden with novel inflammatory markers to enhance CAD prevention and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern management of coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal diagnostic tool, offering detailed visualization of coronary artery lumens and atherosclerotic plaques. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman, with no prior cardiovascular history but with several risk factors, in whom CCTA identified a highly inflamed atherosclerotic plaque, which led immediately to an acute myocardial infarction. Significantly, this case spotlights the vital role of perivascular inflammation mapping in CCTA, crucial for identifying high-risk plaques. The case emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive, multifaceted diagnostic approach in the evaluation and management of CAD, incorporating advanced techniques like perivascular inflammation mapping for a more accurate and predictive assessment.

Background Cardiac computed tomography angiography derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) is a diastolic measurement and has emerged as a valuable non-invasive alternative to FFR in patients with stable coronary artery disease. It has, unlike FFR during coronary angiography, not been validated for the physiological evaluation of an isolated myocardial bridge (MB) so far. Case summary Our patient, previously known with a long myocardial bridge of the mid-segment of the left anterior descending artery, presented with a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction that was treated by surgical unroofing of the MB. FFRCT after surgery confirms a major amelioration of coronary blood flow. Discussion Myocardial bridge may rarely present as a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. FFRCT has thus far been accepted as a useful diagnostic tool in stable coronary artery disease. Our case report suggests that cardiac computed tomography angiography may be considered a useful technique for anatomical and physiological evaluation of MBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the inter-observer agreement of the CAD-RADS reporting system and compare image quality between model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm (MBIR) and standard iterative reconstruction algorithm (IR) of low-dose cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Methods One-hundred-sixty patients undergone a 256-slice MDCT scanner using low-dose CCTA combined with prospective ECG-gated techniques were enrolled. CCTA protocols were reconstructed with both MBIR and IR. Each study was evaluated by two readers using the CAD-RADS lexicon. Vessels enhancement, image noise, signal-to-noise (SNR), and contrast-to-noise (CNR) were computed in the axial native images, and inter-observer agreement was assessed. Radiation dose exposure as dose–length product (DLP) and effective dose were finally reported. Results The reliability analysis between the two readers was almost perfect for all CAD-RADS standard categories. Moreover, a significantly higher value of subjective qualitative analysis, SNR, and CNR in MBIR images compared to IR were found, due to a lower noise level (all p

Purpose: To evaluate the inter-observer agreement of the CAD-RADS reporting system and compare image quality between model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm (MBIR) and standard iterative reconstruction algorithm (IR) of low-dose cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Methods: One-hundred-sixty patients undergone a 256-slice MDCT scanner using low-dose CCTA combined with prospective ECG-gated techniques were enrolled. CCTA protocols were reconstructed with both MBIR and IR. Each study was evaluated by two readers using the CAD-RADS lexicon. Vessels enhancement, image noise, signal-to-noise (SNR), and contrast-to-noise (CNR) were computed in the axial native images, and inter-observer agreement was assessed. Radiation dose exposure as dose–length product (DLP) and effective dose were finally reported. Results: The reliability analysis between the two readers was almost perfect for all CAD-RADS standard categories. Moreover, a significantly higher value of subjective qualitative analysis, SNR, and CNR in MBIR images compared to IR were found, due to a lower noise level (all p < 0.05). The mean DLP measured was 63.9 mGy*cm, and the mean effective dose was 0.9 mSv. Conclusion: Inter-observer agreement of CAD-RADS was excellent confirming the importance, the feasibility, and the reproducibility of the CAD-RADS scoring system for CCTA. Moreover, lower noise and higher image quality with MBIR compared to IR were found. Implications for practice: MBIR, by reducing noise and improving image quality, can help a better assessment of CAD-RADS, in comparison with standard IR algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Liver transplant (LT) patients is much higher than prior estimates and the morbidity and mortality are significant in this group of patients. Coronary angiography is the gold standard for detection of CAD, a non-invasive test that allows appropriate risk stratification would be preferred. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we sought to assess the pooled diagnostic accuracy of various noninvasive cardiac imaging tests in detecting CAD in patients listed for LT. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing sensitivity and specificity of non-invasive tests to that of coronary angiography in diagnosing coronary artery disease in patients undergoing liver transplantation. Results: Five studies (616 participants) evaluated myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI); five studies (1243 participants) dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE); and three (87 participants), other tests. MPI had a pooled sensitivity of 0.62 (95% CI 0.37, 0.83), specificity of 0.60 (95% CI 0.39, 0.79), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 2.5 (95% CI 1.7, 5.64) and Area under the curve (AUC) 0.649. DSE had a pooled sensitivity of 0.25 (95%CI 0.09, 0.51), specificity of 0.68 (95% CI 0.44, 0.84) and DOR of 0.7 (95% CI 0.12, 3.84). Conclusions: Our results show that both MPI and DSE are not effective screening tools for detecting CAD in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Future studies are needed to evaluate the role of real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) and coronary artery calcium score (CAC) with coronary CT angiography in patients with ESLD.

Introduction: The use of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in guiding interventional procedures provides a comprehensive assessment of atherosclerotic plaque extension, volume, and composition. Prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), CCTA offers the opportunity to address certain drawbacks associated with the traditional invasive coronary angiography (ICA), such as vessel foreshortening and difficulties in selecting the ideal projections. This is particularly significant in cases involving ostial lesions and chronic total occlusion. Case Report: We present the case of a 67 years-old female, with a history of hypertension, inferior myocardial infarction with revascularization on right coronary artery (RCA) with multiple stents and subsequent intrastent restenosis, type-2 diabetes-mellitus, presenting to our hospital for her periodic follow-up. The patient reported frequent episodes of angina pectoris and fatigue. Assessing the patient's history, it was decided to undergo CCTA which revealed the following: RCA stents were non-opacified with contrast, but distally contrast was present, presumably from collateral vessels, left anterior descending artery (LDA) with a significant low attenuation plaque and left circumflex artery (LCX) presenting total occlusion at the proximal level. The patient was admitted to the Cardiology Clinic and underwent an ICA. The ICA confirmed the CCTA findings: occluded stents on RCA, LCX presenting chronic total occlusion and LDA having a 80% stenosis distally to first septal artery, ramus intermedius, a low caliber vessel, presenting total occlusion. It is worth noting that the LDA is giving collaterals for distal part of RCA and LCX. Considering that the LDA was the last patent vessel, the PCI started with approaching the proximal plaque on LDA, with a stent implantation and restoration of vascular lumen. Next, on RCA, the stents were difficultly passed with hardened guidewire followed by intrastent balloon dilatation, resulting in restoration of the vascular lumen. After PCI the patient's symptoms visibly improved and after five days, she was discharged with double antiplatelet therapy, high dose statin, antihypertensives and SGLT2-inhibitor and diabetic medication. Discussions : The case of our patient underlines the complexity and challenges encountered in PCI, particularly in instances of difficult anatomical features and intrastent occlusion. Through a multimodal imaging techniques approach involving interventional cardiology, CCTA imaging, and clinical expertise, the team effectively managed the complex coronary artery disease. Conclusions: Our case highlights the pivotal role of CCTA in guiding interventional procedures for complex coronary artery disease. By providing detailed anatomical information, CCTA enabled precise planning and navigation during PCI, overcoming challenges associated with traditional invasive coronary angiography (ICA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that employing the low dose computed tomography (CT) technique based on low tube potential reduces the radiation dose required for the coronary artery examination protocol. However, low tube potential may adversely influence the CT number of plaque composition. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether quantitative atherosclerotic plaque analysis by a multi-slice, low radiation dose CT protocol using 80 kilovolts (kV) yields results comparable to those of the standard 120 kV protocol. Artificial plaque samples (n = 17) composed of three kinds of plaque were scanned at 120 and 80 kV. Relative low-density and medium-density plaque component volumes obtained by three protocols (80 kV, 60 Hounsfield units [HU] threshold; 120 kV, 60 HU threshold; and 80 kV, 82 HU threshold) were compared. Using the 60 HU threshold, relative volume of the low-density plaque component obtained at 80 kV was lower than that obtained at 120 kV (27 ± 3% vs. 51 ± 5%, P < 0.001), whereas relative volume of the medium-density plaque component obtained at 80 kV was higher than that obtained at 120 kV (73 ± 3% vs. 48 ± 5%, P < 0.001). By contrast, no significant difference in relative volume obtained at 80 kV (82 HU threshold) versus 120 kV (60 HU threshold) was observed for either low-density (52 ± 5% vs. 51 ± 5%) or medium-density (48 ± 5% vs. 48 ± 5%) plaque component. Low tube potential may affect the accuracy of quantitative atherosclerotic plaque analysis. For our phantom test, 82 HU was the optimal threshold for scanning at 80 kV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The diagnostic accuracy of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is well reported. The prognostic value of CCTA has been described in several studies, but many of these were underpowered and an update of the meta-analysis is necessary to increase the power to predict rare events.The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of the ability of CCTA to predict future cardiovascular events. Methods: We searched multiple databases for longitudinal studies of CCTA with a follow-up of at least 12 months of symptomatic patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) reporting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), death, myocardial infarction and revascularization. Summary test parameters and receiver-operating characteristic curves were calculated. Results: Eighteen studies evaluated 29,243 patients with a median follow-up of 25 months. For MACE in patients with negative findings on CCTA, there was a pooled negative likelihood ratio (LR) of 0.01 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00-0.08], a positive LR of 1.72 (95% CI 1.54-1.91), a sensitivity of 1.00 (95% CI 0.97-1.00), a specificity of 0.42 (95% CI 0.36-0.48) and a diagnostic odds ratio of 159.07 (95% CI 22.20-1,139.80). The weighted average annualized MACE rate for positive versus negative CCTA findings was 3.49 versus 0.21%. Stratifying by no CAD, nonobstructive CAD or obstructive CAD, there were incrementally increasing adverse events. Conclusions: Adverse cardiovascular events among patients with normal findings on CCTA are rare. There are incrementally increasing future MACE with increasing CAD by CCTA. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates calcium scoring (CS) and computed tomography angiography (MSCTA) in patients >50 years with chest-pain submitted to the emergency department utilising CS as a 'diagnostic filter' upfront. Results of CS and MSCTA performed by a 64-slice CT scanner were compared to invasive coronary angiography (ICA). 289 consecutive symptomatic patients (185 men, mean age 71.3 ± 6.4 years) were included. In patients with CS = 0 (Group I; n = 60) or CS > 400 (Group III; n = 95) we refrained from MSCTA, whereas patients with CS 1-400 (Group II; n = 134) underwent subsequent MSCTA. ICA detected significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in 162 patients (56.1 %; male 98). None of Group I-patients showed CAD, but in Group III CAD prevalence increased to 82.1 %. In Group II, MSCTA correctly identified 177/190 significantly diseased vessel segments. Compared to CS alone, our approach increased sensitivity to 98.1 % (+1.8 %), specificity to 82.6 % (+27.5 %) and negative predictive value (NPV) to 97.2 % (+5.1 %) as well as positive predictive value to 87.8 % (+14.6 %), respectively. Overall DA was 91.3 %. Stratification of symptomatic patients into three different risk groups according to CS results with concomitantly increasing disease prevalence is possible. Zero calcium was found to exclude significant CAD, but needs further evaluation. Still server calcifications impair image quality in MSCTA. Thus direct referral to ICA might be a reasonable approach in case of high CS. In patients with intermediate CS, MSCTA is able to rule out significant CAD with a high NPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The prevalence and economic burden of coronary artery disease are high. New noninvasive diagnostic imaging methods have evolved in recent decades, including coronary computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance angiography. Investigations into functional ischemic parameters have also been added to anatomical imaging to improve diagnostic performance, including the fractional flow reserve calculated from contrast computed tomography, perfusion computed tomography, perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, a combination of coronary computed tomography angiography with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and the myocardial flow reserve calculated from perfusion positron emission tomography. In this article, we will discuss progress in noninvasive imaging modalities for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and trends for the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an increasingly utilized, highly accurate noninvasive test for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Accumulating data have convincingly demonstrated that the presence, extent, and location of both obstructive and nonobstructive coronary atherosclerosis visualized on coronary CTA conveys powerful prognostic information, incremental to that provided by clinical variables and coronary calcium scoring. Proposed markers of future plaque instability and coronary risk, such as the degree of vessel remodeling and low-attenuation plaque volume, as well as measures of CT myocardial perfusion, may further improve the prognostic value of CTA. Ultimately, studies are needed to assess whether the prognostic information provided by coronary CTA testing results in sustained changes in patient and provider behaviors that cost effectively improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past 5 years since the introduction of 64-detector row cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA), there has been an exponential growth in the quantity of scientific evidence to support the feasibility of its use in the clinical evaluation of individuals with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Since then, there has been considerable debate as to where CCTA precisely fits in the algorithm of evaluation of individuals with suspected CAD. Proponents of CCTA contend that the quality and scope of the available evidence to date support the replacement of conventional methods of CAD evaluation by CCTA, whereas critics assert that clinical use of CCTA is not yet adequately proven and should be restricted, if used at all. Coincident with the scientific debate underlying the clinical utility of CCTA, there has developed a perception by many that the rate of growth in cardiac imaging is disproportionately high and unsustainable. In this respect, all noninvasive imaging modalities and, in particular, more newly introduced ones, have undergone a higher level of scrutiny for demonstration of clinical and economic effectiveness. We herein describe the latest available published evidence supporting the potential clinical and cost efficiency of CCTA, drawing attention not only to the significance but also the limitations of such studies. These points may trigger discussion as to what future studies will be both necessary and feasible for determining the exact role of CCTA in the workup of patients with suspected CAD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]