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VIEWPOINT AND COMMENTARY

Computed Tomographic Angiography

More Than Just a Pretty Picture?

Women’s Cardiovascular Services, School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, San Francisco, California.

Manuscript received August 17, 2006; revised manuscript received October 26, 2006, accepted October 30, 2006.

^_* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Rita F. Redberg, Women’s Cardiovascular Services, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Suite M-1180, School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, San Francisco, California 94143-0124. (Email: redberg{at}medicine.ucsf.edu).

There is increased interest in and use of cardiac computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging as the technology continues to improve. We have many small single-center trials on the diagnostic accuracy of these techniques, but no studies that show a patient benefit from testing. The American College of Cardiology has recently tackled the "appropriateness challenge" for imaging tests, including computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging. The importance of outcomes data and risks of continuing our investment in computed tomography without outcomes data on benefits for patient care are discussed in this paper.

Abbreviations and Acronyms   AC = Appropriateness Criteria   ACC = American College of Cardiology   CA = coronary angiography   CT = computed tomography   CTA = computed tomography angiography   MR = magnetic resonance

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