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(Circulation. 1999;99:3090-3091.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cardiovascular News

Many Cardiologists Still Unsure of Electron Beam Computed Tomography's Benefit as a Screening Tool

Ruth SoRelle, MPH Circulation Newswriter

The role of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) or ultrafast CT in screening populations of asymptomatic, healthy people remains unclear, said leaders at the American College of Cardiology's 48th Scientific Sessions meeting (March 7–10, 1999) in New Orleans, La. Robert O'Rourke, MD, professor of cardiology at the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio, said a joint committee of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology is writing a consensus document on the technology's role in diagnosis of coronary artery disease, but he doubts that such a document will recommend screening.

Although O'Rourke said he could not reveal the contents of the proposed statement, which is still under discussion, "the way we are thinking in relationship to it is that it is not a test that is useful in finding which patients need coronary angiography." The data are not in, and there is controversy.

EBCT combines an electron gun and a stationary tungsten target to dramatically decrease the time taken to scan the coronary arteries. A scan can usually be made while the patient holds his or her breath. It is so fast that the motion of the heart does not skew the image received. Areas of calcification in the arteries are viewed on the scan. Proponents of the technique say such calcification has a positive correlation with atherosclerosis.

"I think it's important to state that there is certainly no reason to use EBCT in unselected patients who are frequently self-referred in the states where that . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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