RESUMO
AIM: To make a comparison between 64-multidetector computed tomography (64-MDCT) and coronary angiography (CAG) for assessing the clinical significance of coronary lesions and the coincidence rate of these two methods. METHODS: From May 2005 to July 2006, totally 85 patients, who were suspected or diagnosed as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, were performed with both 64-MDCT and CAG in the General Hospital of Chinese PLA. They included 64 males and 21 females, aged 41-83 years, with a mean of 61 years. Informed consents were obtained from all the patients. Coronary artery stenosis was detected with the stenosis rate of diameter method and area method, which was calculated by 64-MDCT and analysis software for vessels. Coronary luminal diameter was evaluated as normal, mild stenosis (25%-49%), mild-moderate stenosis (50%-74%), moderate-severe stenosis (75%-94%), severe stenosis (95%-99%), and occlusion (100%). RESULTS: The 64-MDCT images were evaluated for the existence of occlusions or significant stenosis (≥50% lumen reduction) in native coronary arteries. Its coincidence rate with CAG was 89% in left coronary artery main stem, 93% in left anterior descending coronary artery, 68% in left circumflex coronary artery, and 48% in right coronary artery. CONCLUSION: The 64-MDCT has a high diagnostic accuracy in detecting coronary artery stenosis, and is identical with CAG in the assessment of left coronary artery main stem and left anterior descending coronary artery. Thus it is potential for the clinical application on the evaluation of coronary artery stenosis, qualitative and quantitative detection of coronary atherosclerotic plaque.