Radiological Techniques in Coronary Artery Imaging: A Comparison of CT and Cardiac Catheterization

Abstract

This research aims to compare the accuracy and efficiency of both cardiac catheterization and CT in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, given the importance of selecting the appropriate diagnostic method in improving the accuracy of the diagnosis and reducing the potential risks to patients. The study was based on the descriptive analytical approach, where the data of 80 patients who underwent one of the two examinations at Mitiga Military Hospital and Capital Hospital were collected and analyzed, and the results were evaluated according to criteria that include the percentage of obstruction, the accuracy of the diagnosis, and the risks associated with each procedure.

The results showed that the age group most likely to develop coronary artery disease ranged between 50-70 years (50%), with a higher percentage of males compared to females, reaching 55% in cardiac catheterization and 60% in tomography. The most common symptoms were chest pain and shortness of breath, with slight variations in the distribution of other symptoms. A comparison of four examined cases also showed a remarkable match between the two techniques, but the cardiac catheterization outperformed the accuracy of the diagnosis, especially in complex cases characterized by severe arterial blockages or dense vascular calcifications.

These results indicate that cardiac CT is an effective option for primary screening, especially for cases that do not require direct therapeutic intervention, as it is a non-surgical procedure characterized by speed of completion and low risk. However, cardiac catheterization remains the gold standard for coronary artery disease diagnosis, achieving high diagnostic accuracy, particularly in cases requiring immediate therapeutic intervention such as stenting.

Based on these findings, CT is recommended as a primary screening tool in low- and medium-risk patients, while cardiac catheterization is resorted to when higher diagnostic accuracy or therapeutic intervention is needed. The research recommends future studies involving a larger sample size and deeper statistical analysis, contributing to a better understanding of the nuances between the two techniques and promoting evidence-based clinical decisions. Keywords (CT, cardiac catheterization, coronary artery)