The diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy appears comparable to that of conventional coronary angiography.
Italian researchers report in the May 22nd issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

"The main finding of this study," lead investigator Dr. Daniele Andreini told Reuters Health, "is that MDCT is a feasible, safe and accurate method for identification of patients with idiopathic or ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy."

It is also rapid and noninvasive compared with conventional coronary angiography, the researcher added.

Dr. Andreini and colleagues at the University of Milan studied 61 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, along with 139 patients with normal cardiac function and indications for coronary angiography who acted as controls. All of the subjects underwent coronary MDCT and angiography.

Using MDCT, the overall feasibility of coronary artery visualization was 97.2 per cent. This approach also correctly identified all 17 cases of pathological coronary arteries and all 44 normal cases. Sensitivity for the prediction of greater than 50 per cent stenosis was 99 per cent. The corresponding value for specificity was 96.2 per cent.

"No complications related to the MDCT procedure occurred in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy," continued Dr. Andreini, "while minor vascular complications or acute episodes of heart failure occurred in relation to coronary angiography."

The accuracy of the procedure was very high and "all patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were correctly classified -- according to coronary angiography findings -- as idiopathic or ischemic."

"The appeal of MDCT compared to conventional coronary angiography, particularly in this subset of patients," concluded Dr. Andreini, "is that it avoids catheter-associated risk, patient discomfort, and the risk of worsening heart failure due to a prolonged bed-lying time.