Electron computed tomography of the coronary arteries - A new tool for diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and coronary atherosclerosis

Aim. To evaluate diagnostic potential of electron computed tomography (ECT) in quantitation of calcinosis of coronary arteries (CA) compared to data p rovided by coronaroangiography (CAG). Material and methods. ECT of CA was performed in 142 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) who had previously undergone CAG and in 75 patients fr ee of IHD. Eligible were the calcinates with density over 130 units by Houn sfield and area more than 1.03 mm(2) located in the CA projection. Results. Sensitivity of the method was 91%, specificity - 68%. IHD patients and those free of IHD differed ed by calcium index (477.1+/-700.7 and 6.49 +/-19.35 units, respectively; p=0.00001). The calcium index increased with age and severity of coronary atherosclerosis depending both on the number o f affected vessels and the degree of their stenosis. In segment-by-segment analysis of the tomograms coincidence of CAG and ECT results occurred in 89 % of the cases. Conclusion. CA ECT is applicable for diagnosis of atherosclerotic affection of the coronary arteries.