Potential role of coronary computed tomography angiogram in cardiac preoperative evaluation

• Main Author: Ahmed Fathala
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
• Series: Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia
• Subjects: Cardiac preoperative evaluation; coronary computed tomography angiogram; stress echocardiography; stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy
• Online Access: http://www.saudija.org/article.asp?issn=1658-354X;year=2011;volume=5;issue=3;spage=342;epage=344;aulast=Fathala

Preoperative assessment of the cardiac patients before noncardiac surgery is concern in the clinical practice of anesthesiologist, surgeon, and medical consultant. The preferred stress testing is exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients who are able to exercise and have normal ECG; however, either stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) or stress echocardiography is necessary if further testing is appropriately indicated before surgery. Unfortunately, stress MPs or stress echocardiography is not widely available and has some limitations. Coronary computed tomography angiogram (CCTA) has demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy in detecting coronary artery disease and accurate left ventricle function measurement. CCTA seems to be feasible, reliable, and has strong potential of becoming sole screening test before surgery.