Sunil Kumar K.1 , Naveen J.2 , Rimiki Challam3 , Subhaschandra S.4
BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of death in India. Evaluation of the coronary artery can be done by CT, MRI or conventional angiography and conventional angiography is the gold standard. Convention angiography is invasive, expensive, has fewer complication and not easily available. CT coronary angiography is accurate, non-invasive, easily available and has fewer complications. In this study usefulness of performing CT coronary angiography prior to convention angiography is assessed. The purpose of study was to determine the cost effectiveness of performing CT coronary angiography prior to conventional angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. METHODS Patients with chest pain suspected to have coronary artery disease underwent CT coronary angiography. Patients were referred to conventional angiography only if significant stenosis was identified on CT coronary angiography. Cost effectiveness of performing CT coronary angiography before conventional angiography was compared with patients directly going for conventional angiography. RESULTS 19 patients (63.3%) had normal coronary arteries and 5 patients (16.6%) had non-significant stenosis (50%) and were referred for conventional angiography. Assessment of cost incurred showed performing CT coronary angiography before conventional angiography could reduce the cost up to 50%. CONCLUSIONS In patients with suspected to have coronary artery disease, performing CT coronary angiography prior to invasive angiography can reduce the cost by up to 50%.
