It is not only the accuracy of a diagnostic test that counts, says Dr. Marc Dewey who led the study, we think it is just as important that a method is accepted by our patients.
Key Points of this article
Noninvasive angiography using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) is superior to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection of coronary stenoses.
MSCT and MRI were considered less painful than invasive angiography.
MSCT preferred over MRI by patients with regards to comfort.
By PLoS, [RxPG] Computed tomography (CT) is preferred to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by patients with heart disease. That is the result of a study performed at Charité Universitäts medizin Berlin and published on February 28, 2007 in PLoS ONE, the international, peer-reviewed, open-access, online publication from the Public Library of Science (PLoS).
The study compared these two noninvasive tests with invasive angiography. These imaging modalities play a crucial role in the diagnostic assessment of coronary artery disease, which affects about one in four to one in three individuals in Germany.
111 patients who were examined with all three modalities were asked for their assessment. Unsurprisingly, conventional coronary angiography which involves insertion of a catheter and administration of a contrast agent was least popular. About three quarters of the patients would prefer CT to MRI despite the fact that contrast administration is necessary for CT.
While computed tomography involves X-rays, MRI uses magnetic fields and radiowaves. The main advantage of CT is the short duration of the examination, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. In contrast, patients who undergo MRI of the heart must lie still for up to an hour.
It is not only the accuracy of a diagnostic test that counts, says Dr. Marc Dewey who led the study, we think it is just as important that a
method is accepted by our patients.
This news story has been reviewed by Dr. Sanjukta Acharya before its publication on RxPG News website. Dr. Sanjukta Acharya, MBBS is the chief editor for RxPG News website. She oversees all the medical news submissions and manages the medicine section of the website. She has a special interest in diabetes and endocrinology.
RxPG News is committed to promotion and implementation of Evidence Based Medical Journalism in all channels of mass media including internet.
Additional information about the news article
PLoS ONE is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access, online publication from the Public Library of Science (PLoS).
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