Noninvasive imaging modalities in coronary artery disease: a meta analysis comparing coronary computed tomography angiography and standard of care.

Abstract

Introduction: Coronary artery disease has become a global pandemic and a major cause of death. The risk-factor calculation for coronary artery damage is an invasive procedure. Aim: To compare coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with standard of care (SOC) to calculate need for revascularization, invasive coronary angiography as well as for myocardial infarction (MI) incidence and all-cause mortality. Methodology, results &conclusion: CCTA is significantly correlated with a reduction in MI episodes (RR=0.752, 95% CI=0.578-1.409;p<0.033) and an increase in revascularizations (RR=1.401, 95% CI=1.315-1.492;p<0.001) and invasive coronary angiography procedures (RR=1.304, 95% CI=1.208-1.409;p<0.001). However, it was found that it did not affect all-cause mortality. On the contrary, standard care approaches were associated with greater rates of MI but lesser referrals for invasive coronary angiography and revascularization.