Factors influencing the safety of outpatient coronary CT angiography: a clinical registry study

Objectives Since the safety of coronary CT angiography (CTA) is of great importance, especially with regard to widening indications and increasing morbidity, the aim of this study was to assess influencing factors.Methods Patients undergoing coronary CTA in a third-generation dual-source CT in a radiological centre were included in a clinical registry. Up to 20 mg metoprolol was administered intravenously to attain a heart rate ≤65/min. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) was administered in doses of 0.8 mg and 0.4 mg. Blood pressure was measured before the administration and after the CTA.Results Out of 5500 consecutive patients (3194 men, 62.3 (54.9–70.0) years), adverse events occurred in 68 patients (1.2%) with mild anaphylactoid reactions (0.4%), vasovagal symptoms (0.3%) and extravasation (0.3%) being most frequent. Anti-allergic drugs were given in 17 patients, atropine in 3 patients and volume in 1 patient. Drug administration resulted in a significant mean arterial pressure decline (96.0 (88.3–106.0) vs 108.7 (99.7–117.3) mmHg; p20 mmHg or >40 mmHg were older (66.5 (58.6–73.3) vs 60.5 (53.6–68.3) years; 70.2 (63.3–76.5) vs 62.1 (54.7–69.6) years), more often male (65.1% vs 54.4%; 68.9% vs 57.3%) and had higher Agatston score equivalents (83.0 (2.0–432.0) vs 15.0 (0.0–172.0); 163.0 (16.3–830.8) vs 25.0 (0.0–220.0); all p20 mmHg or >40 mmHg from 34.5% to 27.4% and from 6.1% to 3.5% (both p