Historical and current aspects of angiovisualization methods in CAD (a literature review).

The aim of the work. To summarize and expand knowledge about current methods used for visualization of coronary arteries, their evolution, capabilities, effectiveness, indications for use, safety for patients, guided by the principles of evidence-based medicine. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an extremely common clinical cardiovascular disease, which is caused by atherosclerosis of the subepicardial coronary arteries (CAs) and can have both acute and chronic course. The incidence of CAD is increasing every year and getting younger. CAD has not only a high morbidity rate, but also a high mortality rate. In Ukraine, mortality from CAD is the main cause of population mortality. Without timely diagnosis and effective treatment, myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death may develop. It is possible to ascertain the etiological cause of myocardial ischemia only after visualization of the CAs. A practicing physician is able to visualize the CAs using X-ray contrast coronary angiography or contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest. CA visualization methods have been used in clinical practice for more than half a century. The hardware and software are constantly upgraded, the diagnostic options of these methods are improved and expanded, and recommendations regarding their use in general clinical practice are updated. The main task for clinicians is to confirm or rule out the presence of a CA atherosclerotic lesion, as well as to determine its localization, extent, degree of stenosis and its significance for coronary blood flow, the presence of CA calcification, collateral pathways, plaque composition and its internal structure. Only after identifying the anatomical and physiological aspects of the atherosclerotic process in CA, it is possible to choose the right strategy for the treatment of patients by a multidisciplinary heart team including pharmacological therapy, a method of cardiac revascularization, and measures for primary or secondary prevention. Conclusions. CAD is a common disease worldwide. Today, two methods of the CA visualization are available - invasive coronary angiography and non-invasive coronary CT angiography. Further research is needed on the efficacy and safety of different CA imaging methods in CAD. Better results of the diagnostic search depend on both the capabilities of the clinic hardware component and on the optimal sequence for diagnostic processes rationally constructed by physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]