http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/7952/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/4776/ 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/9169/ 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z Intravenous coronary angiography with electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) allows for the non-invasive visualisation of coronary arteries. With dedicated computer hardware and software, three dimensional renderings of the coronary arteries can be constructed, starting from the individual transaxial tomograms. This article describes image acquisition, postprocessing techniques, and the results of clinical studies. EBCT coronary angiography is a promising coronary artery imaging technique. Currently it is a reasonably robust technique for the visualisation and assessment of the left main and left anterior descending coronary artery. The right and circumflex coronary arteries can be visualised less consistently. Improvements in image acquisition and postprocessing techniques are expected to improve visualisation and diagnostic accuracy of the technique. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/8943/ 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z BACKGROUND:-Noninvasive detection of coronary stenoses with electron beam CT (EBCT) after intravenous injection of contrast medium has recently emerged. We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of EBCT angiography in the clinical setting using conventional coronary angiography as the "gold standard." METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (30 men) were investigated. After intravenous injection of 150 mL of contrast medium, 40 to 60 consecutive transaxial tomograms, covering the proximal and middle parts of the coronary arteries, were obtained with ECG triggering at end diastole during breath-holding. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the proximal and middle parts of the arteries were compared with the conventional angiograms. Of the 259 proximal and middle coronary segments, 211 (81%) were analyzable by EBCT. Of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) segments, 95% were assessable. Right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex artery (LCx) segments were assessable in 66% and 76%, respectively. Overall sensitivity and specificity to detect a >50% diameter stenosis were 77% and 94%, respectively. This was 82% and 92% for the LAD, 60% and 97% for the RCA, and 83% and 89% for the LCx (all figures based on assessable lesions). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous EBCT coronary angiography is a promising coronary imaging technique. The technique is not yet robust enough to be an alternative to conventional coronary angiography. It can detect and rule out significant coronary artery disease of the left main proximal and mid portions of the LAD with good accuracy.