Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is an effective alternative to SPECT imaging for diagnosing and planning treatment of stable chest pain, according to study results published December 5 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Results from the Randomized Evaluation of Patients with Stable Angina Comparing Utilization of Noninvasive Examinations (RESCUE) Trial showed that patients with the condition who underwent CCTA as the first diagnostic imaging test showed no difference in outcomes compared with those who underwent SPECT.
The results offer "further evidence in support of a coronary computed tomographic angiography first strategy for the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with symptoms of stable angina," according to a statement released by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The study was funded by the ACR's American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) Fund for Imaging Innovation and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
